Chamomile Enchantment: Harnessing its Healing Powers with a Homemade Salve Recipe
Below is an herbal skin salve recipe that's all things Chamomile. But, first, let’s learn why Chamomile is unique and why you should be incorporating it into your skincare routine.
The Calming Agent: Chamomile brings a sense of calm to your skin. Its cooling and inflammation-modulating properties soothe redness, swelling, and pain associated with inflammation. As an antimicrobial, chamomile cleanses and disinfects wounds, facilitating faster healing. Its vulnerary qualities assist wounds in healing rapidly, preventing suppuration and stagnation of fluids, while modulating local inflammation.
It owes this attribute to its rich flavonoids, such as apigenin and luteolin, which contribute to its inflammation-modulating effects. Moreover, Chamomile boasts azulene and chamazulene in its essential oils, which play a crucial role in enhancing its therapeutic properties. These compounds are known for their anti-inflammatory and soothing effects on the skin. When applied topically, azulene and chamazulene help reduce inflammation, alleviate skin irritations, and promote a calming sensation. This contributes to Chamomile's overall potency in providing relief for various skin issues, making it a valuable ingredient in homemade salves and skincare products.
This herb's impressive quality to reduce inflammation also provides relief by soothing sunburn, and alleviating skin redness and irritations. Additionally, it possesses antimicrobial and vulnerary properties, meaning it can inhibit and even directly combat pathogenic microbes. This not only aids in cleansing and healing wounds but also helps prevent bacterial overgrowth and infections while further reducing inflammation.
To incorporate this natural gem into your skincare routine, simply rub it onto your fingertips and gently massage it into your skin and lips. You can also dab it around your eyes as needed. It's important to note that this salve is best suited for wounds that have scabbed over and not for open wounds. Enjoy the soothing benefits of Chamomile!
INGREDIENTS
1 ounce of grated beeswax or 1/2 ounce of candelilla wax
4 fluid ounce of chamomile herbal oils, warmed slightly if possible
15 drops of chamomile essential oil
DIRECTIONS
Melt the first two ingredients together in a double boiler on low heat. Stir to encourage melting. Remove from heat and allow to cool for just a couple of minutes. Add in the essential oil. Mix to combine. Immediately, and carefully, pour into shallow kraft paper containers or metal tins and let sit for a few hours to harden.
