Chamomile flower extract is one of Nature’s best solution to inflamed skin in need of a healing boost. Start soothing acne, eczema, rashes and more!

Table of contents:
What Is chamomile extract?
Chamomile extract benefits for skin.
Chamomile flower extract uses.
Best forms of chamomile extract.
How to use chamomile extract.

If you had to name 1 hot tea that’s just perfect for winding down from a stressful day, what would it be? Chamomile, of course! We all know it makes a great tea, but did you know it’s just as beneficial when used externally?

Read on to find out why chamomile extract may be the perfect solution to many of our most common (and annoying!) skin problems.

What Is Chamomile Extract?

Chamomile has been around since at least 1550 BC when Egyptians used it as a cold remedy. It was also used extensively by the Romans as a beverage and a natural way to treat headaches.

Chamomile flower extract comes from the Asteraceae family – a group of daisy-like flowers. While there are many different varieties, there are 2 main types used in products today: German chamomile and Roman chamomile.

Most of us recognize the benefits of this plant when used to relax the body and prepare for sleep. However, chamomile is so much more than a simple relaxant. In fact, it’s been used for hundreds of years to treat digestive issues, soothe the skin and more.

How Chamomile Extract Benefits the Skin

We love its relaxing traits as a tea, but chamomile extracts for skin just might be our favorite use.

This extract is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent that can heal acne, decrease eczema, soothe dermatitis, improve skin’s natural glow and even speed the healing of burns.

It not only reduces inflammation, but also cleanses and moisturizes the skin while soothing irritation. These are invaluable qualities when dealing with damaged skin.

When added to other skincare products, chamomile extracts can even increase the efficacy of creams and lotions. While it’s beneficial for nearly any skin type, chamomile is especially powerful for dry or acne-prone skin. 

The 2 primary components of chamomile extract are apigenin and alpha-bisabolol. Alpha-bisabolol is what gives chamomile its potent anti-inflammatory properties. It also aids in cell turnover, which speeds the healing process.

Use Chamomile Flower Extract to Moisturize Skin, Calm the Mind and More

Besides chamomile extract skin benefits, there are a host of other amazing ways that this natural extract helps the body. Both German and Roman chamomile are effective soothers of the mind as well as the digestive system. Roman chamomile is slightly different from the German variety in that it has antiseptic qualities. However, both forms provide great analgesic and antibacterial properties.

Thanks to its flavonoid-rich profile, the anti-inflammatory effects of chamomile can be experienced both internally and externally. As an example of its internal use, some have found great success in treating urinary stones with chamomile supplements. 

It also treats vaginal and mucosal inflammation, as in the case of ulcers. Other inflammatory issues within the digestive tract, such as esophageal reflux and diverticulitis, have also seen improvement with chamomile flower extract.

Besides these amazing health and skin improvements, the unique chemical component of the chamomile flower has been shown to provide the following benefits:

• Improves hemorrhoids
• Decreases symptoms of the common cold, including sinus congestion
• Improves colic symptoms in babies and irritability in children
  
• Prevents bone loss in osteoporosis
  
• Decreases insomnia and anxiety
  
• Decreases high blood sugar levels in diabetics
• May inhibit tumor growth in skin, prostate, breast and ovarian cancers

Best Forms of Chamomile Extract and Where to Get It

While chamomile is most popular in tea form, you won’t be able to reap its full spectrum of benefits using this method. More potent forms include dried flower heads, a liquid extract, capsules for oral consumption and topical ointments. 

While chamomile is found in many standard grocery stores, its more specialized forms are often only sold in smaller health stores or online shops.

As you shop for chamomile-infused products like topical ointments or creams, pay close attention to their ingredient labels. The ingredient list should be as short as possible (and preferably organic) to ensure its efficacy and that it hasn’t been diluted with lower quality ingredients.