Aarya Aroma-Chamomile Oil

Traditional Uses:

While not indigenous to Nepal, Chamomile has adapted and thrives-growing happily in the flat southern terrai region not far from Buddha's birthplace, as well as middle hills of Nepal. Organically grown it is not a part of the indigenous pharmacopia, but according to Himalayan doctors, its properties are soothing to the skin, good for indigestion, insomnia and relaxing the mind.

Known in Nepali as Damini Ful, chamomile has long standing medicinal tradition especially in Europe. An excellent skin care remedy, Nepal Chamomile oil's anti-inflammatory properties are greater than in Roman chamomile because of the higher percentage of azulene.

A gentle sedative, safe for use with children, chamomile's relaxing actions combat anxiety and insomnia. Chamomile can be used as a mouthwash, a gargle for sore throats and eye-bath for sore eyes. As an inhalation over a steam bath, it will speed recovery from nasal catarrh. Externally it will speed up wound healing and reduce swelling. Used tea bags or flower cream reduce inflammation and dark shadows under the eyes. A poultice may be applied to treat eczema and wounds. A flower decoction conditions and lightens fair hair. In baths it softens and whitens sun or wind-damaged skin. Chamomile's anti-inflammatory, analgesic and disinfectant qualities treat diaper rash and soothe toothache. The flower compounds have shown anti-tumor activity in laboratory tests.

Chamomile oil is obtained from the flowers with stalks of Marticaria chamomilla L. (syn. Chamomilla recutita Rauschert) through steam distillation. An absolute is also produced in small quantities, which is deeper blue in color and has greater tenacity and fixative properties.

1. Organoleptic Properties:

Appearance: Viscous liquid

Color: Dark greenish blue

Aroma: Intensely sweet, herbaceous-couma rin-like with a fresh fruity undertone

2. Physico - Chemical Properties:

Specific Gravity: 0.8995 to 0.9128 at 25° C

Refractive Index: 1.480 to 1.5055 at 25° C

Acid No: 4 to 15.70

Ester No: 5 to 15

Ester No: after Acetylation: 65 to 110

Solubility: Soluble in 90% alcohol with separation of paraffins

3.Constituents:

0.3-2% volatile oil (including bisabolol); bitter glycosides (anthemic acid); flavone

glycosides (anthemidin), coumarins (including umbelliferon and herniarin), phenolic

carboxylic acids, polysaccharides, mucilage, choline, amino acids, tannins, malic

acid. Blue chamazulene is formed from the sesquiterpene lactone matricin during

steam distillation.

4. Actions:

Anti-spasmodic, carminative, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiseptic, vulnerary,

aromatic bitter, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, nervine, sedative, tonic anti-allergenic,

bactericidal, fungicidal, hepatic, nerve sedative, stomachic

3. Packing:

Aluminum containers and epoxy-lined metallic barrels

500g, 1 kg, 5 kg, 10 kg, 50 kg, 100 kg, capacities

4. Uses:

In cosmetics, perfumery and as flavoring agent

Used in pharmaceutical antiseptic ointments and in carminative antisasmodic and

tonic preparations. Extensively used in cosmetics, soaps, detergents, high class

perfumes and hair and bath products.

Non-toxic, non-irritant, causes dermatitis in some individuals

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References:

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Dudai N, et al. Essential oils as allochemicals and their potential use as bioherbicides. J Chem Ecol . 1999;25:1079-1089

Guenther, E. 1948: The essential oils, Vol. 1-5. Van Norstrand. (ISB 0-88275-073-9)

Lawless, J. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils - The Complete Guide to the Use of Oils in Aromatherapy and Herbalism, Element, Shaftesbury, 1995

Lawless, J. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils . Element Books, Inc. Rockport, MA 1995;132

Leung A. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics . New York, NY: J Wiley and Sons; 1980.

Lewis W. (1977), Medical Botany. Plants AffectingMan’s Health. John Wiley & Sons, New York

McGuffin M, et al. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook . Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press; 1997.

Medicinal Plants of Nepal, His Majesty's Government of Nepal, Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation, Department of Plant Resources, 6th Edition, Kathmandu, 2001

Newall, C.A., L.A. Anderson and J.D. Phillipson. 1996. Herbal Medicines: A Guide for Health-care Professionals. London: The Pharmaceutical Press.