Monthly Archives: May 2013

German Chamomile Oil for Dermatitis and Irritated Skin

German Chamomile Flowers (photo by T. Voekler)The flowering plant commonly known as chamomile has a rich and varied history in European herbalism. For one thing, there are actually two distinct species that share the common name chamomile. In this article we’ll be discussing German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), an upright flowering annual native to Europe and temperate Asia. Its cousin, Roman chamomile has many of the same properties but a slightly different composition of compounds in the essential oil. For instance, German chamomile essential oil is valued for its high concentration of chamazulene, an anti-inflammatory compound that gives German chamomile oil its dark blue color [1].

The ancient Greeks coined the word chamomile from two different Greek words, kamai meaning “earth” and mélon meaning apple; so chamomile can be literally translated as something like “earth-apple”, a reference to its similar fragrance and flavor [2]. And like the saying, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”, they believed that chamomile also had many medicinal applications: it was even listed in Dioscorides’ Materia Medica, the first compendium of Western herbal medicine ever compiled.

The rich blue color of German chamomile oil comes from chamazulene, which is not present in the fresh flowers but is produced during steam distillation. German chamomile oil is sometimes called blue chamomile for this reason. Chamazulene gives German chamomile oil renowned anti-inflammatory and anti-irritant properties, so the oil is frequently used in blends to treat inflamed or irritated skin, itchy skin, and dermatitis [3]. Because of its ability to tamp down allergic skin reactions, German chamomile oil can also be used as a natural antihistamine [4]. One study measured the anti-allergic effect of a compress of German chamomile flowers and found it to be as effective as a 1% hydrocorticosteroid cream on certain types of skin lesions [5].

Like the closely related Roman chamomile, German chamomile oil may be a mild relaxant and nervine, and is commonly inhaled to relieve states of nervousness and encourage sleep [6]. Aromatherapists also use German chamomile oil to cleanse the liver, as a mild laxative, and as a sinus decongestant [2]. A hot tea made from either species of chamomile flowers can also clear nasal congestion within 10-30 minutes after consumption [7].

Although originally native to Europe and temperate Asia, German chamomile has also been naturalized to North America and Australia, where it sometimes grows in cultivated fields as a weed. German chamomile seeds require open soil to germinate and survive, so the plant tends to stick close to areas of human settlement such as roadsides, farm fields, and even landfills. With so many therapeutic benefits, this hardy, adaptable plant is sure to be sought out for generations to come!

REFERENCES

1. Safayhi, H, J Sabieraj, ER Sailer, and HP Ammon. 1994. “Chamazulene: an antioxidant-type inhibitor of leukotriene-B formation”. Planta Medica 60 (5): 410-13.

2. “Matricaria chamomilla | Etymology”. Wikipedia. Last modified January 26th, 2014. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matricaria_chamomilla#Etymology.

3. “German Chamomile”. University of Maryland Medical Center. Last modified March 17th, 2013. http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/german-chamomile.

4. Chandrasekhar VM, KS Halagali, RB Nidavani, MH Shalavadi, BS Biradar, D Biswas, IS Muchchandi. 2011. Anti-allergic activity of German chamomile (Matricaria recticuta L.) in mast cell-mediated allergy model”. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 137 (1): 336-340.

5. Charousaei F, A Dabirian, F Mojab. 2011. “Using chamomile solution or a 1% topical hydrocortisone ointment in the management of peristomal skin lesions in colostomy patients: results of a controlled clinical study”. Ostomy Wound Management 57 (5): 28-36.

6. Graef, Nyomi. “Does chamomile work for anxiety, sleep problems and relaxation?” Extra Happiness. Last modified September 16th, 2010. http://extrahappiness.com/happiness/?p=3775.

7. “How to Release Sinus Pressure: 8 Steps”. WikiHow. Accessed June 30th, 2014. http://www.wikihow.com/Release-Sinus-Pressure.

Cassia Oil May Lower Blood Sugar Levels and Aid Digestion

Cassia Tree BarkCassia (Cinnamomum cassia) is often used interchangeably with cinnamon as a spice, flavoring and fragrance, and it has many of the same therapeutic properties as cinnamon essential oil. Many people confuse these two spices due to the common practice of labeling ground cassia as cinnamon in grocery stores. However, when choosing between cassia essential oil and cinnamon oil, it’s important to know the species you’re getting because these two related plants have different strengths in aromatherapy.

The cassia tree is a small evergreen native to China and Burma, and cultivated alongside cinnamon (Cinnamonum zeylanicum) in the east and southeast Asian countries of Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia and Sri Lanka. Cassia trees have shiny, almond-shaped leaves and thick, reddish brown bark that is ground to make a spice similar in flavor to cinnamon [1]. The bark is also the part of the plant that is steam distilled to produce cassia essential oil.

Cassia often gets little mention in the history of the spice trade, even though it was and continues to be a major competitor of cinnamon. Old Testament scholars have speculated that cassia oil may have been one of the ingredients in the holy anointing oil given to Moses, along with frankincense, myrrh, and of course, true cinnamon [2]. Some scholars have also suggested that the Hebrew word for cassia means “like cinnamon”. In ancient times, cassia probably made it to the Middle East through trade with India.

Because cassia is more cost effective to mass produce than cinnamon, it’s used frequently in commercial flavoring for everything from candy to baked goods to savory curries. Cassia oil is also added to mouthwashes as an antiseptic; this property also makes cassia essential oil an affordable choice for aromatherapy treatments targeting infections [3]. In addition to its antiseptic action, cassia oil is wonderfully warming and stimulating: metabolism and digestion both get a boost when cassia oil is inhaled [3]. One reason cassia is so popular as a spice is because it works as an aperitif, increasing appetite and decreasing nausea brought on by certain conditions. Preliminary research is even being done on cassia’s potential for lowering blood sugar in type 2 diabetes [4].

Like its cousin cinnamon oil, cassia oil is considered to be a potential dermal irritant and sensitizer due to its methyl eugenol content, and should not be used topically. Aromatherapists recommend diffusing cassia essential oil from a burner or diffuser [5].

Although both spices have their merits, we know culinary enthusiasts will want to know how to distinguish true Ceylon cinnamon from cassia. The one sure way is to look for whole cinnamon sticks: true cinnamon sticks are made up of fragile, papery layers that break off easily and can be quickly powdered in a coffee or spice grinder. In contrast, sticks of cassia bark come in one thick, rigid layer without the “parchment” quality of true cinnamon.

REFERENCES

1. “Cinnamomum cassia“. Wikipedia. Last modified May 26th, 2014. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinnamomum_cassia.

2. Cinnamon and Cassia: The Genus Cinnamomum. 2003. P.N. Ravindran, K. Nirmal Babu, and M. Shylaja, eds. CRC Press: pg. 4.

3. Ryman, Danièle. “Cinnamon/Cassia Essential Oil”. Aromatherapy Bible. Accessed July 1st, 2014. http://www.aromatherapybible.com/cinnamon-cassia.html.

4. Davis, PA and W Yokohama. September 2011. “Cinnamon intake lowers fasting blood glucose: meta-analysis”. Journal of Medicinal Food 14 (9): 884-89.

5. Tisserand, Robert and Rodney Young. 1995. Essential Oil Safety. United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone: 204.