During the steam distillation process of the chamomile flowers to extract the essential oil, a truly beneficial cosmetic product is also obtained, the chamomile floral water. The plant that undergoes this process can be either the common chamomile, or Matricaria chamomilla, or the Roman chamomile, Anthemis nobilis, both from the Asteraceae family. Now let's understand the properties and applications of chamomile floral water, which you can easily buy in herbalist's shops or in specialized natural cosmetic shops, even online. Just a warning, before using chamomile water try it on a small area of the skin to make sure that it does not cause allergies.
Chamomile floral water for the beauty and health of the skin
Chamomile water is an excellent cosmetic product suitable for a delicate, sensitive skin that easily tends to become red, with irritation or inflammation, acne, eczema or itching. This floral water, in fact, acts with anti-inflammatory, astringent and antioxidant properties (Khan et al, Pak J Pharm Sci, 2014). Not only that, chamomile water is antimicrobial, soothing and able to calm irritations as well as being a skin tonic (Hacioglu et al, Peer J, 2017). So, you can spray this hydrolat on your face, morning and evening, before applying your face cream. This will help you in case of dry skin, which feels tight, irritated and with pimples but also stressed and subjected to wind and temperature changes. Thanks to the characteristics just seen, the chamomile hydrolat can also be sprayed on the face as an aftershave for men. Do you like to hear other ideas for skin health? You can make a face mask for oily and acne-prone skin in this way, mix, in a glass bowl, ventilated green clay and chamomile water until you get a creamy mixture, apply on the face and let it act for 10 minutes, then rinse. Chamomile hydrolat can also be used to soothe rashes and diaper rash in babies. Finally, in case of itching of the scalp, greasy hair and dandruff you can spray a little of this hydrolat on the scalp and, once the skin is damp, do a massage with a plant based oil, such as grapeseed oil. Leave on for 15 minutes then rinse with your shampoo.
Chamomile floral water, anxiety, insomnia and headache
Chamomile is antispasmodic and calming. Therefore, spraying this hydrolat on the face also helps to relax tensions and anxiety and to counteract headaches and insomnia, even in children (McKay et al, Phytother Res, 2006).
Chamomile floral water and mouth health
Thanks to its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties (Hacioglu et al, Peer J, 2017), this hydrolat can also be used as a mouthwash to disinfect the mouth and gums.
Chamomile water and eye health
Chamomile water is astringent and calms inflammation, also in case of red, swollen eyes and conjunctivitis (Srivastava et al, Mol Med Report., 2011). In this case you can pour a bit of chamomile floral water on a cotton pad and apply to closed eyes, leave on for about ten minutes.
