Chamomile Spring

Chamomile Spring

A flower full of possibility

After some much needed rain here in Northern California, the sunshine is back and I am elated to be puttering around the garden this morning. The Lemon Balm is absolutely thriving, Calendula is close behind, and my German Chamomile plant is full of buds ready to burst open.    

Chamomile is a small, mighty plant that has countless helpful attributes.  Known best for the calming and soothing effect it has on the mind, you may be familiar with Chamomile in tea form. As a dried flower, Chamomile is found most commonly in SleepyTime teas. In the wild though, we find it growing wild as a a thick ground-cover. The small daily-like flowers grow prolifically along the trails and open spaces throughout the California Bay Area, perfuming the air with a fragrant aroma akin to pineapple or apple.   

I first began using Chamomile as a practitioner when my father started experiencing muscle pain and restlessness. To help ease his symptoms, I created Papa Yule's Blue Juice, a blend of Chamomile lotions and body massage oils with powerful anti-inflammatory properties. It worked wonders on his sore muscles, and he started sharing product with Park Ranger friends who also endured long days on their feet. Requests for more started funneling in, and Papa Yule's Chamomile blend became popular among hardworking folks searching for relief. From caretakers to chiropractors, many found relief in the ease it offered their inflamed joints and achy muscles.

Here at Aromatic Vitality we use Chamomile frequently in many of our butters, balms and body massage oils, although we've branched into other varieties of the flora. There are many types of Chamomile, and while they have very different characteristics, they share a number of important benefits. 

The Varieties of Chamomile

German, Roman

German Chamomile:  This Chamomile plant is easy to grow and a good one to have around if you enjoy growing herbs. Native to Europe, German Chamomile is cultivated extensively in Hungary, Egypt, Eastern Europe and France. It is also commonly known as Blue Chamomile, in reference to the Essential Oil's deep blue color.  The aroma is similar to the smell you would attribute to an apple harvest. German Chamomile is utilized most for its ability to help calm and relax the mind and body, although it can also be used to relieve inflamed skin, muscles, tendons and achy joints.

Roman Chamomile:  This Chamomile plant grows smaller than its German cousin and often used as a grown cover.  Native to Italy and France, Roman Chamomile Essential Oil is a pale yellow color and has a warm fruity aroma.  In addition to sharing in many of the same properties as German Chamomile, Roman Chamomile is also said to have a strong analgesic benefit.  

As the sun warms up, take a look around and enjoy the blossoms blooming in your neck of the woods. I leave you with this knowledge, and taste of Spring and return to play in the plants.   May you enjoy aromatic vitality and remember there are many aromatic products here to support your vitality.  

Enjoy! 

**A few words of wisdom: Always use respect and caution whenever using Essential Oils. Seek professional guidance. If you have animals make sure they have a way to leave the room you are using essential oils in. Many of the essential oils humans enjoy are toxic to animals, especially cats.  Animal’s body systems are different than humans and many essential oils are highly toxic to them. This Aromatherapy blog and information is based upon the common uses of aromatherapy.  This blog and information does not intended to be used for diagnosis or to treat any condition.  Please do not use this information as a substitute for medical advice/counseling from a health care professional.  No part of this blog article may be reproduced in whole or part without the explicit written permission of Aromatic Vitality and or Maggie Yule.**