Chamomile tea is one of the world’s favorite infusions for its sweet, delicate flavor and soothing properties. But are there ways to enjoy and get the benefits from this ancient plant other than drinking it?
Here we’re going to look at the many other uses of chamomile. Let’s find out if it could become a valuable part of your beauty regime as well as your fresh cup brew!
First, is chamomile tea actually good for your body?
Chamomile benefits for skin
Like many teas and infusions, chamomile has a long history in health and wellbeing. It’s all to do with the plant, Matricaria chamomilla L, and its natural compounds.
In chamomile’s case, these compounds are particularly good for skin. In fact, ancient Romans, Greeks and Egyptians used chamomile to promote wound healing.
How does chamomile benefit skin?
The natural plant polyphenols, chemical compounds, contain antioxidants. Antioxidants are agents which fight free radicals. These are produced in the natural cell aging and death, which occurs in everyday life.
As well as a number of health conditions such as cancer, high blood pressure and cholesterol, free radicals are responsible for skin damage too.
By attacking them, antioxidants in polyphenols can increase and speed up the healing process of scars. They can protect against the damage that causes wrinkles and skin breakouts.
This means that chamomile is useful for helping skin irritations such as eczema, rosacea and psoriasis. There are also cosmetic benefits in balancing natural oils, tightening pores and hydrating.
Particularly potent is concentrated chamomile oil. The active ingredient is bisabolol for its anti-irritant, anti-inflammatory capabilities. It’s great for helping to repair wounds, cuts and bruises.
There has been research into its use for conditions such as acne, for example. The antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties could help alleviate the condition.
Remember that chamomile can have side effects for pregnant women and those with health conditions. Seek advice from a medical professional if you’re concerned.
Overall, chamomile is a natural way to soothe and enhance youthful skin.
Let’s take a look at how we can access these amazing chamomile benefits for skin!
How to use chamomile tea on your face
It’s one of the most popular areas to tackle when it comes to skincare. With chamomile tea masks, scrubs and creams, there are so many ways to get the goodness of chamomile on your face.
We’ll check out these methods, but there are also some simple things you can do to access the soothing calm of chamomile quickly.
Lightening dark circles and reducing puffiness can be as simple and quick. Place a used and refrigerated tea bag under each eye for 5-10 minutes.
For sunburn, dip cotton buds in cooled down chamomile tea and apply to the affected area.
Alternatively, just pop some chamomile oil in your bath!
A chamomile tea face mask
There are tons of products you can buy. But why not try making your own for a creative, budget-friendly way to get naturally glowing skin?
Here’s a recipe we love:
Ingredients:
- Chamomile tea bags or leaves
- Water
- Milk
- Sugar
- Olive oil
- Clean, natural material cloth
- Infuse the tea bags or make loose leaf chamomile tea as normal. You’ll need enough leaves to cover your face so perhaps 4-5 bags or spoonfuls.
- Allow the infusion to cool and carefully remove the leaves from the bags or strainer.
- Mix or blend the leaves with milk, sugar and olive oil to a smooth, yet textured consistency.
- Apply the mixture gently to your face, massaging it in without rubbing it off.
- Leave it on for 10-15 minutes before rinsing it off with lukewarm water and a clean cloth.
This slight scrub and soothing chamomile tea mask will help to remove dead skin and restore hydration. There’s minimal abrasion, and you can put it together with things you already have in the cupboard.
Chamomile tea sheet mask
Sheet masks are a really simple and quick way to do an at-home facial treatment. They’re just one piece of material or a disposable cloth, so there’s barely any application or clean up required!
This product is a great option for cleansing and moisturizing when you’re on the move. Clean your face as normal, remove it from the pouch and position. They come ready in the right shape and even include eye and mouth openings. Leave the chamomile tea mask for 5-10 minutes before removing.
To make your own chamomile tea sheet mask, all you need is a clean washcloth and your favorite chamomile tea.
Soak the cloth in a bowl of cooled tea and wring it out a bit – make sure it’s still completely saturated. Place on your face and leave it there for 15 minutes. You can use it on other inflamed or damaged areas too and as often as you like.
Chamomile tea toner
Toners can help the skin in a number of ways. They tighten skin by closing pores and add a layer of protection against external dirt and oils. Toners can also refresh and moisturize.
We know about chamomile’s benefits for the skin, so is there a way to make a cleansing chamomile tea toner? It could be a natural and versatile way to keep your skin clean and fresh. Here’s a recipe we love.
Ingredients:
- Chamomile tea bags or leaves
- Witch hazel
- Lavender essential oil
- Funnel
- 8oz spray bottle
- Make a cup of chamomile tea as normal using a bag or leaves.
- Leave it to steep and then cool for around 20 minutes in total. Don’t refrigerate or allow to get too cold as this will stop the ingredients from blending and working together.
- Remove the tea bag or leaves from the cup.
- Pour the liquid into a spray bottle, perhaps using a funnel to avoid spillage and waste.
- Add 1sp of witch hazel and four drops of lavender oil to the cooled tea.
- Screw the cap firmly on the bottle and shake well to combine.
When you’ve cleaned and dried your face as normal, mist the toner all over to cover. Remember to close your eyes! Once it’s dried, continue to moisturize as normal. And you’re done – you’ve locked in the chamomile tea toner benefits!
Use once or twice a day as you would your normal toner. Store in a cool, dry place and don’t keep a batch longer than a few weeks.
Check out some of the ready-made products to buy so that you’ve always got some chamomile tea toner on hand. It’s also an easy solution if you’re traveling or haven’t got time to make a batch yourself.
Chamomile tea hair mask
Don’t let your skin get all the hydrating, nourishing glory! Chamomile can do wonders for your hair too, and the skin on your scalp. What’s even better is that these chamomile tea masks are easy to make or buy, just like those for the skin.
There is research into the effects of chamomile’s anti-inflammatory compounds on dandruff and other itchy scalp conditions. This means that as well as being all-natural, chamomile could help to alleviate bothersome conditions.
As well as ready-made shampoos and conditioners, you can really take in the benefits with chamomile tea hair masks. These are treatments that you leave on longer than your usual lather and rinse.
If you’ve got some time you can make a conditioning mask. Brew tea as normal and mix with enough yogurt to make a thick mixture – don’t let it get too runny. The balance is around one cup of yogurt per cup of tea. Leave on clean hair for two hours and rinse as normal.
Those magical plant substances in chamomile can also help you get gradual, natural highlights. Here are a couple of ways to make a lightening chamomile tea hair mask.
Method 1
Ingredients:
- 200ml chamomile tea (cooled but not cold)
- 1tbsp white vinegar
Mix together, apply all over your hair or wherever you want to highlight. Leave it for 5-10 minutes and then wash off thoroughly.
Method 2
Ingredients:
- Three chamomile tea bags or spoonfuls of loose leaf
- Bowl of water
Infuse as normal or add the tea to the water and heat in a microwave. Leave to become lukewarm. Wash your hair but don’t condition it. Pour the mixture over your head in the shower. Leave the chamomile tea mask on overnight and rinse off the next morning.
Chamomile as a health and beauty champion
Having explored the many ways we can use chamomile all over the body, it seems it’s the superpower we always expected. Not only is it light and organic, but its natural compounds could actually have benefits for the skin.
Have fun testing out these cool recipes. Remember to read any directions carefully and take the advice of a medical professional if you’re worried. Chamomile should never be used as a substitute for prescribed medicines.
We’ve loved finding out about chamomile’s possible uses and can’t wait to get started trying them!
Have you tried any of these ways to use chamomile tea?
Tell us your favorites in the comments below!
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