Monday, July 27, 2009

The Essential Oil of German Chamomile - The Blue Chamomile

German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)is in the daisy family (Asteraceae or Compositae). Referred to as blue chamomile, it has a deep blue, almost black color to the oil. Hildegard referred to this oil and used it in a gentle ointment for intestinal pain. She instructed that chamomile be mixed with water and lard or oil. As it cooked, flour would be added to make a porridge that would then heal the intestines. The German chamomile is primarily oxides whereas the Roman chamomile is made up of esters.

Traditionally this herb has been used for thousands of years. The Egyptians, Moors and Saxons all counted it as a sacred herb. It was used for nausea, anorexia, and vomiting in pregnancy, for flatulence, nervous bowel, tension headaches and sleeplessness.

Today we would find chamomile to be excellent for skin care and it is used in many cosmetics, soaps, and perfumes, massage blends, skin creams and bath oils. As a digestive aid it is good for anything that arises from a nervous origin including colic, indigestion, nausea and nervous stomach. Since chamomile is so mild, it is suitable for treating children's digestive upsets. Chamomile has a very calming and sedative effect on the nervous system making it good for headache, insomnia, nervous tension, migraine and stress related complaints. The fragrance of blue chamomile assists in seeking spiritual understanding. When confusion seems to be prevalent in one's spiritual life, the fragrance of German chamomile can help bring us understanding. We already know the answers we seek; we just need to be still enough to hear God's wisdom. For emotional healing it is used to encourage communication, relaxation, understanding, organization, empathy, patience, and calm and to soothe.

The main effect of the German Chamomile is anti-inflammatory, anti-allergy, stabilizes emotions, and it helps most skin conditions. It mixes well with bergamot, Roman chamomile, clary sage, lavender, cypress, frankincense, geranium, marjoram, lemon, grapefruit, niaouli, pine, ravensara, rosemary, tea tree.

This essential oil can be diffused, added to food or water as a dietary supplement, or applied topically on location. I do not find it to have a very pleasant aroma-the Roman variety is not only milder but sweeter in fragrance. The German variety is non-toxic, non-irritating and non-sensitizing.

To learn more about German Chamomile and other essential oils you might want to consider becoming a certified aromatherapist. Educational courses in healing energy and aromatherapy can help you understand how essential oils heal the body/mind/spirit.

Check this out for more information on learning to heal through the art of aromatherapy as a clinical aromatherapist. http://www.ISHAaromatherapy.com For educational courses on healing energy and the laying-on of hands, you can go to http://www.HTSpiritualMinistry.com You can also read more about aromatherapy and German Chamomile essential oil in Linda Smith's books: Called into Healing, Reclaiming our Judeo-Christian Legacy of Healing Touch, and Healing Oils Healing Hands, Discovering the Power of Prayer, Hands On Healing and Anointing. You can find these books and much more on my web site at http://www.ISHAhealing.com/HealingStore/tabid/348/Default.aspx

Henri De Lubac

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