USING CHAMOMILE ESSENTIAL OILS IN SKIN CARE
Lynda Michaluk Sorenson
If you are using Aromatherapy on others, it behooves you to take a proper client history, which will ask about skin and respiratory allergies or sensitivities, food and plant allergies, cosmetic allergies, lifestyle and general health, skin care products used, et cetera, in order to have a more clear idea of the possibilities of problems developing in certain situations. This is especially important when using Essential oils on broken or damaged skin, and when using them on areas such as the face, where the skin is generally more sensitive than most other areas of the body. A patch test can be performed by applying a small amount of the properly diluted oil to the skin of the inside of the elbow or behind the ear. After 24 hours observe the skin for any adverse reactions such as redness, inflammation and sensitivity. One can also apply a small drop of the neat oil to the inside of the elbow and observe the area after five minutes to look for signs of these same reactions. The argument exists that the process of conducting a patch test in itself exposes the client to a greater risk of sensitization. While this does make great sense, you must judge what is appropriate for your clients and yourself.
Also, when treating pregnant clients, you must decide what policy works best for you when using Essential oils in treatments. I personally use no Essential oils on clients in the first 3-4 months of pregnancy. While I do not I feel that all Essential oils are dangerous to a woman and her baby during this time, I much prefer to err on the side of caution and cover myself and my client against any potential for problems.
USING ROMAN AND GERMAN CHAMOMILE ESSENTIAL OILS IN SKIN CARE
A nice way to begin a facial treatment if you prefer not to use steam, is to make a warm compress for the face. Take a cup (approximately 240 ml.) of comfortably hot water, and pour it into a bowl. To this add 3 gtt. (drops) of Roman Chamomile Essential oil and mix well. Dip a face cloth into the mixture, letting it fully absorb, and wring out the excess water. Lay down with the compress on the face for 5-10 minutes, and then proceed with any other treatments.
You can also make great cold compresses with Chamomile for sunburns by mixing a � cup (60 ml.) of cider vinegar and two gtt. of Roman Chamomile Essential oil to 2 cups ice cold water. Dip a cloth into the mixture and let it fully absorb, and the apply to the affected areas, replacing with a cool compress when the first warms up. Another option is to take a soothing bath for 10 - 15 minutes in comfortably cool water to which a blend has been added of one cup cider vinegar with 5 gtt. Roman Chamomile Essential oil.
A soothing, cooling blend can be made by mixing one cup of cooled Chamomile tea with � ounce Witch Hazel and one gtt of Roman Chamomile Essential oil. Blend well, and pour through a coffee filter into a dark bottle. Store the mixture in the refrigerator until needed, then dampen two cotton pads with the tea blend to use as compresses for tired eyes, or use a q-tip or a cotton pad dampened in this blend for bug bites, minor skin irritations, allergies and hives, and acne breakouts.
Make a nourishing synergy for facial skin by blending 10 mls. Jojoba oil (Simondsia sinensis), 5 mls. Rose Hip Seed oil (Rosa canina, R. rugosa, R. rubiginosa), and 5 mls. Borage (Borago officinalis) with 3 gtt Rose Otto (Rosa damascena), 1 gtt. Roman Chamomile Essential oil, and 1 gtt. Carrot Seed (Daucus carrota) Essential oil. Apply nightly to clean skin.