THE BLUE HUED ELIXIR OF GOOD HOPE
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Rare, captivating Cape Chamomile Essential Oil emits mesmerizing molecules of comfort and care. This essence is steam-distilled from fluffy-flowering tops grown wild in the Cape of Good Hope, capturing an oil with an enchanting aquamarine hue of blue. Differing from its well-known European Chamomile-cousins, its color and fruity-floral fragrance reveal a unique terroir rooted in the Cape Floral Kingdom—the smallest and richest of the world's six floral kingdoms—making it a true botanical treasure. While the distillation is exquisitely rare, we work with a collective to ensure the continuation of this cherished essence, which is an elixir-extraordinaire for skin and spirit. Imbibing on this beauty blossom is a sensory delight.
The Science of Soothing: Chamazulene and Sesquiterpenes
Cape Chamomile's solace and skin salvation stems from the unique constellation of its chemical components:
Chamazulene + Azulene Compounds: Like its European cousin, German Chamomile, Cape Chamomile contains compounds that develop into Chamazulene during the distillation process, giving the oil its beautiful blue hue. Chamazulene is a rare yet effective anti-inflammatory oxide and is the primary compound responsible for the essential oil's notoriety as an extraordinary calming balm that soothes the appearance of all things red, itchy, and irritated.
Unique Esters + Efficacy: Cape Chamomile's high concentration of esters and sesquiterpenes provides its distinctively sweet, fruity, ethereal-floral fragrance. This specific chemistry is a beneficial nervine, acting as a modulator to nestle the nerves and bring thinking to the sunny side of life.
The Calming Chamomile Family: Distinctive Constituents
The three main Chamomile varieties, while all known for their calming charisma, embody distinct chemical profiles that guide their use.
Classic Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis), with its reputation as a relaxing remedy and complexion calmer, is primarily composed of esters (like isobutyl angelate), making it a formidable, clear-colored essence used clinically to soothe nervous agitation and promote deep sleep. Isobutyl angelate is valued for its skin-softening qualities and its ability to encourage a relaxed, serene disposition. The scent is welcoming, honeyed, and herbaceous, topped with a warming note reminiscent of apples and hay. The heart of the aroma is a mellow, ethereal floral quality that deepens into a smooth, tenacious, tea-like dry-down.
In contrast, both inky blue German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) and aquamarine-dream Cape Chamomile (Eriocephalus punctulatus) are blue-hued distillations that derive their color from Chamazulene and sesquiterpenes. Alpha-bisabolol is the other star molecule that makes German Chamomile so uniquely potent for skincare and healing. Bisabolol is highly effective as an anti-irritant, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing agent. It works synergistically with Chamazulene to provide a deeper level of cellular repair and soothing action than Chamazulene alone can offer. This is why German Chamomile is the "go-to" oil for softening acute inflammation.
Bisabolol is known to contribute a subtle, sweet, and faintly floral-balsamic undertone to the overall aroma, mellowing this cobalt Chamomile whose chamazulene wafts an earthier aroma that is both medically-herbaceous and lit with a coumarin-like sweetness. This scent is less floral and more tenacious than its other chamomile cousins, with a rich, medicinal depth that hints at its potent anti-inflammatory action.
Cape Chamomile stands out with its combination of esters and sesquiterpenes, focusing its action on being calming, balancing, and a gentle anti-inflammatory, highly valued for neuro-regulation and promoting peace. Cheery Cape Chamomile combines the skin-loving qualities of both Roman and German Chamomile while its scent surpasses as a fine berry-floral fragrance that is highly sought after in perfumery. Cape Chamomile is distinct for its invitingly fruity and light floral notes, making it the most aromatically appealing for general use and feel-good blends.
Blue Beauties - The Chamazulene Family
Both Cape and German Chamomiles belong to a special group of blue oils, along with Yarrow and Blue Tansy. These oils are famed for their benevolent blue color and share the distinction of producing Chamazulene compounds during distillation. This potent anti-inflammatory constituent is what creates their shared, powerful, and soothing nature.
Botanical Name: Eriocephalus punctulatus
Botanical Family: Asteraceae
Extraction Method: Steam distilled
Part of Plant Distilled: Flowers
Country of Origin: South Africa
Cultivation Method: Organic
Scent Description: Lovely, berry-like, ethereal floral.
Composition: 100% Eriocephalus punctulatus
Consistency: Thin viscosity
Key Constituents: The anomalous chemistry of Cape Chamomile is characterized by a high concentration of both esters and sesquiterpenes, creating a sophisticated profile. The oil contains specific compounds such as chamazulene (responsible for the blue hue and anti-inflammatory action) and esters (like those that provide its fruity, soothing aroma). The balance of these molecules is key to its role as a gentle neuro-regulator and true tissue-calmative, delivering a therapeutic action that is both a spirit and skin soother.
Blends Beautifully with: Immortelle, Spikenard, Citruses, Ylang, Carrot Seed, Lavender, Roses, Cardamom, Frankincenses, Chamomiles, Basil, Bergamot, Marjoram, Sandalwood, Citron, Hyssop, and Neroli.
In Living Libations: Frankincense BSE, Open Sky Eye Serum, All Seeing Eye Crème, DewDab, Frankincense Honey Mask, Sandalwood BSE, Cape Chamomile Complexion Mist, Chamomile Vanilla Lover Lips, Maverick Face Crème, Maverick Poetic Pits, Underarm Charm Crème Deodorant – Maverick, Night Nectar Beauty Balm, Night Nectar Serum, Open Sky Sheer Serum, Sandalwood Serum Supreme, Everybody Loves The Sunshine Zinc Beach Balm, Everybody Loves The Sunshine with Zinc, Everybody Loves The Sunshine, Cosmic Apricot Shimmer, Neroli Poetic Pits, Fire Lily Petal Perfume, Fawn Lily Petal Perfume, Petal Primer Yoni Serum.
Applications: Cape Chamomile may be applied topically as an effective essence for smoothing skin imbalances, including softening the appearances of scars, acne, and blemishes and meditating the mind. This essence may be used diluted or "neat" (directly) on the skin to soften the appearance of blemishes, scars, and melasma. The oil's gentle nature makes it a perfect addition to facial serums and massage blends, promoting tranquility and dermal balance.
A drop of this blue beauty adds a colorful and fruity floral sparkle to culinary delights. It is also lovely in a diffusor for sweet slumbers all night long, or you may add a few drops to the bath for a soothing soak that eases the spirit and calms the skin.
Quartet of Calm: A True Blue Soothing Solution for Scalp and Follicle Fortification
This super-soothing scalp oil is designed to stimulate the scalp for hair growth, calm irritation, get to the root of dandruff, and nourish the hair follicle. The four-fold synergy of blue oils forms the medicinal core of this blend. In medical aromatherapy, Blue Tansy, Yarrow, German, and Cape Chamomiles are often blended together because the synergy leverages their combined Chamazulene content. This creates an extra effective cooling, calming, and anti-inflammatory action for profoundly addressing redness and irritation.
Ingredients:
Jojoba Oil (Simmondsia chinensis) - 40 ml
Cape Chamomile (Eriocephalus punctulatus) - 20 drops
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) - 20 drops
Blue Tansy (Tanacetum annuum) - 5 drops
German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) - 5 drops
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) - 5 drops
Peppermint (Mentha piperita) - 1 ml, optional for itch relief
Directions: Combine all oils and gently massage into the scalp. For optimal results, leave on for at least one hour, or preferably overnight, before shampooing.
Cape Chamomile Pore Calming Mask
This mask is designed to cool, cleanse, and soothe inflamed or congested pores.
Ingredients:
Clay, Bentonite (15 ml)
Honey (15 ml)
Jojoba Oil (Simmondsia chinensis) - 15 ml
Cape Chamomile (Eriocephalus punctulatus) - 10 drops
Directions: Mix all ingredients in a jar. To use, place a small amount in your palm and mix with pure water or a hydrosol until a smooth, spreadable consistency is achieved. Apply to the face and leave on for a few minutes or longer, especially with our silicone sheet mask, for a spa treatment.
Cape Chamomile Calm + Carry On Serum
This cooling and calming emollient is perfect for the face and special areas needing therapeutic attention (such blemishes and flare-ups).
Ingredients:
Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis)- 30 ml
Frankincense (Boswellia carterii) - 20 drops
Cape Chamomile (Eriocephalus punctulatus) - 20 drops
Peppermint (Mentha piperita) - 5 drops
Directions: Combine all ingredients in a glass bottle and shake well. Apply to areas that need extra TLC, massaging gently to encourage circulation and cooling.
Cape Chamomile FAQs
1.Why is Cape Chamomile called the "Blue Hued Elixir of Good Hope"?
The name is rooted in history and science. "Good Hope" refers to the plant's native origin in South Africa's Cape Floral Kingdom, linking it to the promise of resilience and safe passage. "Blue Hued" refers to the aquamarine color that develops during distillation, a result of the anti-inflammatory compound chamazulene. This beautiful color signals the oil's effective ability to soothe and cool all manner of redness and irritation.
2. How does Cape Chamomile bring calm skin and spirit?
Cape Chamomile is esteemed in aromatherapy as a gentle neurotonic. Its calming effect is driven by its high content of soothing esters and sesquiterpenes. These molecules act as a beneficial nervine, helping to modulate stress signals in the central nervous system (CNS), which promotes a serene disposition, mental clarity, and supports emotional balance.
3. How does Cape Chamomile compare to German and Roman Chamomile?
Cape Chamomile is unique because it blends the best qualities of its cousins: Aroma: It is the most aromatically appealing, with distinctive, inviting fruity and light floral notes. Action: It provides a congenial calming effect, acting as a bridge between the classic somnolent action of Roman Chamomile (best for anxiety and sleep) and the intense anti-inflammatory action of German Chamomile (best for acute tissue soothing). It offers a complete, gentle synergy.
