Insight into the use of Chamomile in Herbal Medicine

What is Chamomile

There are two plants known as chamomile. One is the German chamomile (Matricaria recutita), while the other is called the Roman, or English chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile). Generally, Herbalists consider German chamomile to be the stronger acting of the two.

About 120 chemical constituents have been identified in chamomile as secondary metabolites, including 28 terpenoids, 36 flavonoids, and 52 additional compounds with potential pharmacological activity (Salamon, 1997). Studies have also shown that German chamomile has strong antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. While Roman chamomile is used for anxiety, stress and other nervous system disorders as well as muscular spasms, etc.

Where does Chamomile come from

Roman chamomile is a creeping, herbaceous perennial, native to northwestern Europe and North Africa. It creeps close to the ground and can reach up to 30cm in height, while German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) is native to Europe and western Asia and naturalized in North America (UMM, 2009).

What are the properties in Chamomile

The medicinal use of chamomile date back to the ancient Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks.

German chamomile is often used topically in a cream or ointment to soothe irritated skin, because of its antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. Evidence suggests that it may be moderately effective in the treatment of eczema.

The essential oil of Roman chamomile consists chiefly of chamazulene, angelic acid, tiglic acid, and several sesquiterpene lactones. Other constituents of Roman chamomile include anthemic acid, athesterol, anthemene, resin and tannin. The essential oil of German chamomile contains chamazulene, -bisabolol, -bisabololaxides A and B, spathulenol cis-En-yn-dicycloether and farnesene. Other constituents of German chamomile include a volatile oil, anthemic acid, antheminidine, tannin, matricarin, and apigenin (Purdue University, 1997).

Using of Chamomile in Skin Care Products

Chamomile is renowned as a major analgesic, anti-inflammatory and wound healer, relieving pain, redness from any cause and promoting skin repair.

It is good for dry, red, hot and sensitive skin and is said to have anti-allergic properties this makes chamomile a very useful ingredient in natural skin care products that target this skin type.

German Chamomile has a stronger action due to its higher chamazulene content that also gives it the name of ‘super blue’. Like most essential oils Chamomile has antiseptic properties and therefore it is used in natural skin care products as a skin decongestant and cleanser.

Chamomile is used by herbalists as a herbal extract which can be used internally for a range of health complaints such as: Blocked tear duct, Canker sores (mouth ulcers), Colic, Diarrhoea, Eczema, Gingivitis (periodontal disease), Indigestion and heartburn, Insomnia, Irritable bowel syndrome, Peptic ulcer and skin irritations.

Externally it can be used in creams, ointments or applied directly to the skin for any skin problem that has a constituent of irritation, inflammation and/or infection. It is often combined with other herbs or essential oils such as lavender, calendula and others.

References:

Purdue University (1997) Chamomile. Website: http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/med-aro/factsheets/chamomile.html (last visited 22, May, 2009)

Salamon, I. (1992) Chamomile: A Medicineal Plant. The Herb, Spice, and Medicinal Plant Digest, Vol.1(1), pp1-4.

University of Maryland Medical Centre (UMM), website: http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ (last visited 22, May, 2009).

Danny Siegenthaler is a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine and together with his wife Susan, a medical herbalist and Aromatherapist, they have created Natural Skin Care Products by Wildcrafted Herbal Products to share their 40 years of combined expertise with you.

Subscribe to their Natural Skin Care Newsletter and receive a free eBook providing hints & tips on how to look after your skin

© Wildcrafted Herbal Products 2009

How to Treat Acne using Natural Medicine

Unlike the orthodox approach to acne, alternative medicine views this condition as a natural process of changes in the body’s physiology, especially around puberty and later on in life during menopause. However, just because it is a natural process, does not mean that it is untreatable and non-responsive to appropriate treatment.

In severe cases, it is best for the affected individual to seek professional advice from a qualified herbalist, naturopath or doctor of Chinese medicine.

Herbal Acne Remedies for Your skin:

First and foremost it is important to address the skin’s health. The approach will change to some extent, depending on whether there are currently acne lesions to be dealt with or not. If the skin is clear and there are no acne lesions, a sound daily skin care regime is the first and one of the most important steps in maintaining the health of the skin. [NB: You should still continue with your daily skin care regime even during an acne flare, however, you would not use a loffah on the areas where there are acne spots.]

However, using a loofah on a daily basis to reduce the amount of dead skin cells is the first step, where there are no acne lesions, followed by a daily skin care regime consisting of cleansing, toning and moisturising.

This is a vital part of treating your acne naturally, that is to prevent and reduce the factors that may lead to an acne flare.

Because acne is usually associated with oily skin, you should use a natural skin care system for oily skin (click on picture for more details) where the acne lesions are and possibly the system for normal skin on the remaining areas of your face and neck.

Using natural skin care products that do not contain synthetic or artificial ingredients will help your skin to regain its healthy state without running the risk of absorbing potentially harmful substances from non-natural type skin care products.

Some of the ingredients used in non-natural skin care products are known to irritate the skin (see Potentially Toxic Ingredients) and can actually make your acne worse. Make sure that all the ingredients in your skin care products are as natural as possible to avoid irritating your skin further.

In addition, DO NOT USE commercially available soap on your facial skin or any other part of your body where you have acne. Firstly, this is because most soap will dry out your skin and while you think this is a good thing, it is not, because this will stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum and all you’ll achieve is to promote oily skin – and you do not want that.

Apart from following this daily regime, the acne sufferer should also use a facial clay mask on a regular basis, 2-3 times per week is a good start. Also, using an exfoliant lotion or gel is another excellent way to remove dead skin cells and stimulate blood circulation and new cell growth – DO NOT USE a loofah and an exfoliant on the same day. Doing this is likely to over stimulate your skin and may lead to increased oil production by the sebaceous glands – so be careful.

Using Herbs and Essential Oils

In mild to moderate cases of acne, there are several natural and herbal acne remedies that work very well. For example, using a topical mix of Eucalyptus oil combined with Echinacea purpurea (Green plant) extract (50/50) will provide an excellent topical treatment for infected pimples. Echinacea is a great herb to treat almost any skin condition and the Eucalyptus oil will provide strong disinfectant properties to eliminate bacteria and other microbes at the site of the pimples.

What ever you do, DO NOT squeeze your acne pimples. Most of the time all this will achieve is to cause pain and if the pimple ruptures, you are most likely going to infect other areas of nearby skin, resulting in new pimples. Use your mask and exfoliant to draw the pimples to the surface and you will most likely find that they will open by themselves. This will also reduce the risk of causing scaring.

When pimples do rupture, use the Echinacea neat on the area over the ruptured pimple to help disinfect the area and reduce the potential infection of other skin tissues.

Treating more severe forms of acne may require a medical approach. That is you will need to take herbs internally to help clear your skin of the toxins associated with acne. Natural acne remedies that work will contain herbs such as Yellow Dock, Burdock, Echinacea, Red Clover and others are strongly indicated in cases of severe acne. However, you must consult a qualified herbalist who will prescribe the right combination and dose for your particular circumstances. You will also need to drink an increased amount of water to help your skin and kidneys to flush out these toxins from your system and especially from your skin.

You should also pay attention to what you eat. Eating processed foods will not be of benefit to you, however, increasing raw foods, especially increasing fruits and vegetables in your diet, will provide your body with increased nutrients that will support your skin and help the body eliminate the toxins. Omega 3, 6 and 9 should also feature strongly in your food intake. These are found in fish oils from fish such as Salmon, Tuna, and Sardines as well as lean red meats and some vegetables (See ‘Food for Your Skin’).

Acne is treatable naturally and usually you don’t have to undergo extreme forms of treatment. A good, daily skin care regime combined with an exfoliant and the regular use of a natural, deep cleansing facial clay mask, will help you get your acne under control. In severe cases, you’ll need to add the knowledge and experience of a qualified herbalist or doctor of Chinese medicine to your skin care regime and eat more wholesome foods. In any case there are many health professionals that can prescribe natural acne remedies that will work specifically for your.