Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that causes persistent facial flushing and reddening. The National Rosacea Society reports that although rosacea primarily affects facial skin, it can sometimes appear on your neck, chest and back. Herbalists recommend chamomile baths to soothe and clean inflamed skin. If you have body rosacea, a chamomile soak can help to cleanse your body while pampering areas irritated by rosacea.
Rosacea Features
Rosacea symptoms include reddened areas of the face, frequent flushing, and small red bumps-- or pustules-- on your face and sometimes your neck, chest or back. Other symptoms can include burning, stinging and itching, facial edema -- or swelling -- and a reddened, bulbous nose. Symptoms may flare up, disappear, and recur without warning. Although there is no cure for rosacea, medications -- including antibiotics and isotretinoin -- may help to control it. According to the National Rosacea Society, the cause of the disorder is unknown, but heredity may play a role; the disease is more common in fair-skinned individuals.
Chamomile History and Uses
Chamomile, botanically known as Matricaria recutita and commonly called German chamomile, is an annual plant featuring yellow and white flowers. The flowers are dried and used in herbal remedies to treat digestive disorders and insomnia; chamomile is also applied topically to treat skin inflammations. Drugs.com says that chamomile has been used to cleanse wounds, and can increase the sloughing of necrotic tissue while promoting granulation. Blue Shield Complementary and Alternative Health states that chamomile has been approved by the German Commission E, an agency regulating herbal medicines, for use on skin to reduce swelling and fight bacteria. According to Mary Lupo, M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, topical application of chamomile tea can soothe rosacea.
Constituents and Effects
The blue-colored volatile oil in chamomile contains an anti-inflammatory compound called alpha-bisabolol, as well as the potent antioxidant chamazulene. According to Drugs.com, the flowers also contain caffeic acid and the beneficial flavonoids apigenin and luteolin. The website credits chamomile with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, astringent and deodorant properties.
Research
There is some scientific research supporting the belief in chamomile's anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing properties. In a clinical study conducted by Alexa T. Smolinski and James J. Pestka and published in the October, 2003 issue of "Food and Chemical Toxicology," researchers found that apigenin, a constituent of chamomile, had anti-inflammatory activity. In a clinical study conducted by R. Patzelt-Wenczler and colleagues and published in the April, 2000 issue of "European Journal of Medical Research," a patented chamomile preparation was found to be as effective in reducing the itching and inflammation of eczema as hydrocortisone, while being free of harmful side effects.
Application
To use chamomile in the bath, you can follow the method suggested by Carefair.com and boil 1/2 cup of the dried flowers in 2 to 4 cups of water. Allow the mixture to cool. Strain, pour into a lukewarm bath, and soak for 15 minutes. According to Drugs.com, you shouldn't use chamomile if you are pregnant or breast feeding, or if you are allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemum, or any member of the aster family. Consult your doctor before using chamomile as a cleanser for rosacea.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Rosacea Symptoms
- National Rosacea Society: Frequently Asked Questions
- Mother Nature: The Doctor's Book of Home Remedies for Women--Rosacea
- Drugs.com: Complete Chamomile Information
- Blue Shield Complementary and Alternative Health: Chamomile
- ScienceDirect: Modulation Of Lipopolysaccharide-induced Proinflammatory Cytokine Production In Vitro And In Vivo By The Herbal Constituents Apigenin (Chamomile)
