| German Chamomile, Matricaria recutita, is from the | | | | drops of Rosemary oil in a litre of water makes an |
| family Asteraceae. German Chamomile grows | | | | excellent hair rinse. Add a few drops of Cedarwood |
| naturally across Europe and Asia. It has been | | | | oil and it may help with dandruff. |
| introduced to North America and Australia. In some | | | | - The symptoms of Nausea can be relieved with |
| areas it grows as a weed along road sides and in | | | | German Chamomile Essential Oil is inhaled. |
| agriculture. Though not usually treated at as a | | | | - Abscesses can be remedied with a few drops of |
| troublesome weed. | | | | German Chamomile oil (Medical intervention may also |
| The plant grows to about 60cm tall. It can be | | | | be necessary - Abscesses can cause more severe |
| classified as a perennial but is more usually treated as | | | | medical problems and should be dealt with quickly ). |
| an annual. There are also annual types that are not | | | | - German Chamomile Essential Oil can also benefit - |
| treated as perennials. | | | | allergies, sprains, inflammation of the skin, flatulence, |
| Chamomile is an excellent plant for Pots. It is also | | | | arthritis, boils, sores, insomnia, colic, dermatitis, cuts, |
| ideal for kids to grow amongst their first gardening | | | | stress, and more... Refer to supplier for a complete |
| attempts. | | | | list of potential uses. |
| The Extraction process | | | | Side effects from the use of Chamomile are rare, |
| German Chamomile is extracted from the flowers by | | | | though it has been linked to nausea and vomiting |
| Steam distillation. Steam extraction works by pumping | | | | when consumed in large doses. General use should |
| steam into a chamber containing the flowers of the | | | | not see any adverse reactions. |
| German Chamomile. The steam causes the oil cells to | | | | Precautions |
| burst mixing with the steam. The steam is then | | | | Essential oils have many benefits and can aid in the |
| cooled and the water and the oil are separated. | | | | prevention or healing of many complaints. Every |
| Uses as an Essential Oil | | | | individual is different. Some essential oils can be toxic. |
| Chamomile is one of the more versatile Essential oils. | | | | Some oils must never be ingested while others |
| Its uses include: | | | | require limited exposure to the sun due to |
| - Chamomile Essential Oil has long been regarded as a | | | | phototoxicity. Read the label and ask your supplier if |
| cure for headaches and is useful in treating Earaches. | | | | you are in doubt of the safest use for any particular |
| - A few drops of German Chamomile oil and a few | | | | oil. Not just the one in this article. |