Name : Chamomile ( German)
There is also Moroccan Chamomile or 'Ormenis oil' but this is very different chemically to German.
Method : Steam distillation
Note Classification : Middle
Scent : Sweet, fruity, herbaceous
Colour : German : inky-blue, viscous
Species :
German : Matricaria recutica. Family asterceae ( compositae )
Also known as Blue Chamomile or Hungarian Chamomile.
Extracted From : Flower heads. The plants have small daisy-like flowers and bright green feathery leaves which give off an apple-like scent when crushed.
Region : Europe ( England - Long Melford, Belgium, Hungary, Italy, France ), North America
By-products : -
Historical : Chamomile has been used in Europe for over 2000 years. One of the Saxon's nine sacred herbs called 'maythen'. In 1656, John Parkinson wrote : 'Camomill is put to divers and sundry uses, both for pleasure and profit, both for the sick and the sound, in bathing to comfort and strengthen the sound and to ease pains in the diseased'.
Egyptian priests dedicated the plant to Ra, their sun god. India's Ayurvedic physicians used it for digestive upsets, cramps and fever.
Of Interest :Extensively used in cosmetics, shampoos, soaps, detergents and perfumes. Also a flavour ingredient in food and beverages.
Aromatherapy Properties : Excellent for skin care - allergies, eczema, insect bites, wounds. Muscular pain, neuralgia, rheumatism, sprains and burns. Headaches, insomnia, migraine, stress - well known for calming effect on nervous system.
Blends Well With : bergamot, clary sage, oakmoss, jasmine, neroli, rose, geranium, lavender
Chemical Analysis :
German : chamazulene, farnesene, bisabolol oxide, enyndicycloether. Better anti-inflammatory properties because of the higher percentage of azulene. Azulene is not present in the flower but forms as a result of the steam distillation.
Safety Data : Very low toxicity but may trigger dermatitis in some people