Wonders of a humble herb

With its subtle fruity smell and delectable flavour, chamomile is most commonly consumed as tea. But it has many other uses.

Chamomile is a power house of antioxidants that can endow one with healthy and glowing skin. Extracted from the flowers of the chamomile plant that belongs to the daisy family, this versatile herb not only has several medicinal properties, but it is packed with beauty benefits.

If you have an acne-prone skin, dry skin or you are suffering from pigmentation, chamomile is rich in properties that can repair any skin ailment. Here is a list of wonders that this magic herb can do:

A natural cleanser: Chamomile oil helps calm irritation caused by acne and lightens black spots. Adding a few drops of chamomile oil to your everyday facewash can leave you with flawless and smooth skin.

Skin bleach: The anti-inflammatory properties of chamomile not only heal tanned skin, but they also lighten the complexion, leaving your skin revitalised and fresh. It also fights puffiness and dark circles under the eyes.

A soothing agent: This flower extract contains azulene, an substance that conditions the skin, providing much-needed moisture to dry skin and eliminating the discomfort of flaky skin.

Anti-ageing properties: Ageing is inevitable, but we can always find ways to retain a supple and radiant skin. The substance called levomenol in chamomile oil helps improve skin texture and prolongs elasticity, thus slowing down the ageing process.

Mild moisturiser: Milk is a great cleansing agent. Mix a dash of chamomile oil in milk and apply it on to the affected area to cleanse, exfoliate and refresh the skin.

A great healer: Chamomile oil is gentle on the skin, which makes it suitable for people with sensitive skin. Rashes or inflammations are common after undergoing treatments like facials, waxing or threading. Adding a drop or two of chamomile oil in aloe vera gel and applying it on the inflamed area, can soothe the skin and reduce the redness.

Apart from repairing the skin, chamomile can also protect your hair from damage. Chamomile helps retain hair colour, making it lustrous. Using chamomile tea as a final rinse for your hair can give you radiant locks. Chamomile also fights dandruff and soothes itchy scalp.

Our skin and hair are exposed to several pollutants every day. The use of this wonder herb, in the form of tea or oil, in our daily beauty regimen can prevent lasting damage.

(The author is the head of training, The Body Shop.)