"Herb of the Sun" is what ancient Egyptians called this herb over 5,000 years ago. They dedicated it to Ra, their God of the Sun.

Both the Romans and the Greeks used it for healing. The founders of modern medicine, including Hippocrates, Dioscorides, and Galen, wrote about its medical benefits.

It's been popular in Europe ever since. It's been used for headaches, other pains, digestive problems, nervous disorders, to support the liver, and for allergies.

It's also used as a general tonic, bringing energy and better health.

It's usually consumed as tea, but it also cleans hair and works as a deodorant and perfume.

During the Middle Ages, English beer brewers used it as a bittering agent, before replacing it with hops.

It's still one of the most-used herbs in the world. The United States imports from 750,000 to 1 million pounds every year - 90% of which is used for tea.

That's why many people don't realize it also soothes your skin.

Chamomile.

Basic Chamomile

It's a flowering plant in the Asteraceae family. 

The plants normally bloom as small white flowers with yellow-colored centers, like small daisies. They grow on top of the chamomile plant's tall thin stems, 6 to 24 inches above the base of the plant.

It comes in two main varieties:

* German (or wild) chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)

* Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum Nobile)

German chamomile is grown extensively in Eastern Europe, thriving in European and Asian temperate zones. It's sometimes called wild chamomile because in some places it grows wild as a roadside weed.

German chamomile flowers give off a strong, herbal scent. Roman chamomile's smell is considered sweeter and fruitier.

Chamomile tea is made from dried flowers and buds.

Chamomile Works Magic When Applied to Your Skin

It's an antioxidant with healing properties. And it's anti-inflammatory.

As you know, your skin is exposed to the air, to irritants in the air, and to damaging UV radiation in sunlight.

Chamomile soothes and helps heal your skin of minor rashes, burns, and injuries - anything that itches or hurts.

Many products come with chamomile already added.

The dried chamomile flowers you buy break up and crumble easily, so you can add them to any healthy skincare product you like.

This includes infusing oils with chamomile flowers. Just place the dried flowers into a bottle of oil, and let it sit for a week.

You can use olive oil, coconut oil, almond oil, argan oil, or any other healthy oil.

You can also add dry flowers to your favorite skincare lotion or cream.

And, for a great way to relax to ensure a good night's sleep - add three or four bags of chamomile tea into your hot bath water and slosh it around. Relax as your pores soak up and absorb the chamomile. In effect, you're soothing and beautifying your skin with chamomile tea. Or just sprinkle in some of the dried chamomile flowers. 

Add a cup of Epsom salts as well, especially if you've been working out and your muscles are sore - and the magnesium will relax you, giving you an even deeper night's sleep. 

And Your Hair . . .

Chamomile also relieves and soothes the skin over your head, so it reduces the itching and dryness of dandruff. 

It makes your hair shinier. And, some report, it makes your hair lighter.

You can apply it to your scalp and hair with any product that contains chamomile, your own infused oil, or any skin or hair lotion you've added chamomile flowers to.

You Don't Have to Drink the Tea

Make chamomile tea, and let it steep for two or three days for maximum strength. When you do so, keep it covered in the refrigerator. In the end, it should be a dark brown color.

Add the tea to a small spray bottle - keep it in the refrigerator.

* If you have dark circles or bags under your eyes, rub this concentrated tea underneath them with a cotton ball. This reduces puffiness and irritation. Repeat every morning.

* If you have blonde or brown hair, spray the tea onto it to help bring out the highlights.

* Spray the tea all over your face to help lighten and tone it.

Get a Good Night's Sleep

Many people report a cup of regular strength chamomile tea helps them relax at bedtime.

Anything that helps you sleep longer and deeper is also improving your health - including your skin's appearance and beauty.

Warnings and Cautions Regarding Internal Use of Chamomile

Check with your doctor first. It can interact adversely with many prescription drugs and with many other herbs. It can worsen pollen allergies. 

The apigenin in chamomile can interact with anticoagulant drugs and with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Ibuprofen, Naproxen, aspirin, and other pain medications).

Some phytochemicals in chamomile can interact with some herbal products that enhance sleep.

Also: do not take if you now have or have had these types of cancer: ovary, breast or uterus - or endometriosis or uterine fibroids.

Using chamomile just on your skin and hair shouldn't be a problem, but check with your doctor.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imAXaO5RuQY

https://theartofantiaging.com/outstanding-health-benefits-of-german-chamomile/

https://www.webmd.com/diet/supplement-guide-chamomile

https://www.teatulia.com/tea-varieties/what-is-chamomile.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamomile

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoo390DE9qQ

https://30seconds.com/beauty/tip/16352/DIY-Chamomile-Tea-Bath-Recipe-How-Chamomile-Tea-Can-Help-Soothe-Your-Skin-Spirit-in-the-Bathtub