Blue Chamomile Matricaria chamomilla
Roman Chamomile Chamaemelum nobile
Chamomile is a member of the daisy family and like all daisies, it has a flower head composed of numerous individual yellow florets surrounded by long white petals. It is indigenous to Europe and Asia but now grows almost all over the world.
The name chamomile comes from two Greek words, Chemos and Melos, meaning ‘ground apple’, and in fact, the flowers do actually smell a little of apple if you rub them between your fingers. There are many varieties of chamomile, the two most commonly used with therapeutic applications are Roman chamomile; Chamaemelum nobile and Blue German chamomile; Matricaria chamomilla, whose name is derived from the Latin word Matrix, meaning womb and reflects the strong connection which this medicinal herb has always had to women's health.
Chamomile's history as a medicinal herb goes back a long way. Many references to its healing powers can be found among the Germanic people, Egyptians, and Greeks and it was well-known and used throughout the Roman Empire. It was a staple in any medieval herb Garden where it was used to make teas and healing tonics.
The plant contains many components, namely, flavonoids, terpenoids, and coumarins, which are responsible for its medicinal properties and establishing its role as a therapeutic agent in areas such as anti-inflammatory, antiseptic (makes a wonderful gentle skin cleanser), antioxidant, analgesic, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, anti-allergic, anticancer, and anti-hypertensive.
Chamomile, like many of the botanicals in Lusan preparations is used in a variety of ways; whole plant infusion, hydrosol and essential oil.
Our whole plant infusions are made with organically certified Roman chamomile and take weeks to prepare to ensure all the beneficial constituents are available in our Serums and Balms.
The overriding theme of chamomile is soothing to irritation and discomfort. I utilise both Roman and German chamomile essential oils. Like all essential oils in Lusan preparations, they are produced from traditional steam distillation, certified organic and used in ‘micro’ doses only for their therapeutic purposes.
Our traditional steam-distilled, organic certified Blue Chamomile Hydrosol is gentle yet very effective, bringing soothing calmness to difficult skin. It’s also beneficial for irritation of the mind – one to use if you are feeling grouchy!
Chamomile is a nervine with anti-spasmodic and analgesic properties, which means it calms and soothes the nerves when they are under stress. Try misting on the body anywhere nerve pain is experienced. Follow with an application of Rescue Balm or Rose Body Oil for a soothing medicinal treatment.
Energetics: Chamomile is the first and foremost choice for irritability of any kind. It can shift the energy after anger and frustration, and it can soothe a tired child. Chamomile is a calming medicine for emotional or spiritual inflammation. Use it to help with fear, impatience or denser emotional states that are getting stuck in your field.
