German chamomile essential oil  Matricaria recutita click here for medical references on german chamomile          German chamomile grows up to two feet high, with short, feathery leaves and single stems bearing daisy-like white flowers. The essential oil is produced by steam distillation from the flower heads, creating a thick, inky-blue oil.         There is another chamomile called Roman chamomile. This is a different plant from a different genus. The chamomile in commercial chamomile tea is German chamomile. © Peter Schoenfeld

Key Benefits

• Reduces inflammation: approved by the German E Commission for skin and mucous membrane (oral) inflammations, as well as bacterial skin diseases. Also approved, as an inhalation, for inflammations and irritations of the respiratory tract.

• Promotes wound healing: wound care is one of the classic uses of German chamomile. The German E Commission accepts it as a stimulant of skin metabolism (speeding wound healing) and as an antibacterial agent. It is an astringent (drying), so it is best used for moist, weeping wounds.

• Reduces muscle spasms: also listed as an antispasmodic by the German E Commission and used for this purpose in common practice. Used internally to reduce muscle spasms and alleviate gastrointestinal inflammations.

• May stimulate immune system: used by some practitioners for immune system support, though there is little scientific research into this therapeutic quality.

Contraindications

    Avoid if you are allergic to ragweed or other members of the aster (daisy) family, or do a patch test. Cases of contact dermatitis and anaphylactic shock have been documented.

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