Traditional medicine has been using chamomile for hundreds of years.
Internally, for an irritated stomach and digestive system as well as a sleeping aid because of its calming and antispasmodic effects.
Externally, it was used on the skin because of its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
The most used variety is the plant Matricaria chamomilla also called "German chamomile" or sometimes "Water of Youth”.
The blue essential oil of its flower has over 120 different chemical substances but the primary constituent is alpha bisabolol.
Photo by Alvesgaspar - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3636530
In modern times, bisabolol is used in cosmetics and personal care products because research has shown that apart from anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties it also has antioxidant, anti-aging, and skin-lightening effects.
It also helps increase the penetration power of other ingredients in the formula. Skin care products may contain a lot of healthy ingredients, but if they just sit on top of the skin without penetrating into the deeper layers, they won’t do you much good.
Bisabolol is a good source of panthenol, which is a form of vitamin B. This helps skin hold onto moisture, so it’s less likely to dry out. It acts deep in the lower layers of skin, which can help reduce the appearance of fine lines.
Studies have also shown that it can help speed up the healing time of sunburn, mild burns, and skin irritations.
Bisabolol has been found to inhibit the enzymes in skin that can break down collagen, and at the same time, to stimulate collagen production.
Collagen is responsible for creating the fibers that give our skin its shape, supporting it can help delay the appearance of aging.
Researchers have found that bisabolol can help inhibit melanin synthesis. Melanin is the pigment in skin that can cause age spots and discoloration as we get older.
Pretty impressive benefits for such a small wallflower, right?
Last but not least here is a tip I got from my grandmother when you have red or irritated puffy eyes; Use two cooled down chamomile tea bags as eye pads, leave on for ten minutes and relax while you do so.
Check out our Divine Nektar essence and our Divine Ambrosia essence, they both contain alpha bisabolol.