Chamomile German Hydrolat
Chamomile German hydrolat can help maintain healthy skin.
Chamomilla recutita is a small, stocky, perennial herb that grows to about 20-30cm high. It has daisy-like white flowers with yellow centres and feathery leaves. The essential oil is distilled from the flower heads, and the resulting hydrolat from the distillation process can refresh the skin.
The main components of Chamomile German hydrolats that have been analysed show the following components present; 8-20% esters and up to 20% alcohols. This suggests that the hydrolat should be anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antispasmodic, balancing (to the nervous system), calming, cicatrisant, uplifting, anti-infectious, antiviral and slightly decongestant.
Fischer-Rizzi (1990) recommends this hydrolat for stomach and intestinal disorders, and Rose (1999) tells us that German chamomile hydrolat is emotionally calming.
According to Catty (2001) German chamomile hydrolat is blessed with many attributes: being antifungal it is useful fro Candida albicans, thrush, etc. She recommends it as a douche or taken internally for urinary tract infections and says it is antispasmodic to the intestinal tract, being useful in colonics. Topically it is useful on varicose veins and haemorrhoids, etc.
Catty says further that German chamomile hydrolat is anti-inflammatory in both compresses and lotions, calms sensitive skin, rashes and itching and is recommended for eczema and psoriasis. It is an excellent skin cleanser, useful in masks, although it has a powerful aroma. It is cooling, soothing and healing for baby’s bottom. It can be used in spray for sunburn and as a toner for skin with acne: it’s powerful anti-inflammatory action makes it suitable for rosacea, couperose and other inflamed skin conditions.
Hydrolats are the aromatic waters produced by the steam distillation of botanical material, usually during the production of essential oils. Hydro means water and lat comes from the word for milk, because when fresh these waters can be cloudy or milky from the suspended soluble plant extracts.
Hydrolats are gentle and effective. They contain only the most water-soluble chemicals from the plant material plus microscopic drops of the essential oils. They may be used undiluted without problems but it is usually unnecessary as they are just as effective in dilution – less can be more! Generally calming and soothing.
How to use
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SKIN |
Use hydrolats as facial spritzers. Either use 50/50 with purified water or undiluted. |
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ROOM FRESHENERS |
Spray liberally around pets, cooking areas, bedrooms and other areas of your environment. |
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BATHS |
Add up to 100ml to an adult bath and 50ml to a child’s bath |
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COMPRESS |
Soak a cloth in hydrosol and compress to ease everyday stresses and strains. For a cold compress use a cold cloth and for warm, use a warm cloth. |