Chamomile has become one of those plants that quietly weaves itself through my garden , my life, and my creative projects each year. Also I find them every year in different places, as they spread all over.
It starts with small seedlings scattered all around the patch, often in early spring when the garden is just waking up. By summer, the chamomile plants I have all become full of colour always alive with bees and insects.
Chamomile is generous! The more you harvest, the more it continues to flower, so dont’t be shy pick them. I gather them by hand often in the mornings when the flowers are open, and once harvested, the flowers are dried slowly, usually I spread them over a towel, paper is better.
When dry the scent becomes deeper and more concentrated, and where the transformation from fresh flower to preserved botanical really begins.
From here, chamomile becomes part of some of my projects used in workshops, added to botanical skincare creations.
But I also love a cup of tea using fresh camomile flowers.
Chamomile-Infused Oil (Simple Method)
This is a gentle, easy way to capture the properties and aroma of chamomile in a base oil that can later be used in skincare or soapmaking.
You will need:
- Dried chamomile flowers
- A clean, dry glass jar with a lid
- A carrier oil (such as olive oil, sunflower oil, or sweet almond oil)
Method:
- Fill your jar about less than halfway with dried chamomile flowers.
- Pour your carrier oil over the flowers until they are fully covered( I used almond oil for this infusion).
- Stir gently with a clean utensil or chopstick to release any air bubbles.
- Seal the jar and place it in a warm, sunny windowsill for 2–4 weeks.
- Shake the jar gently every few days.
- After infusion, strain the oil through a fine sieve or cheesecloth and store it in a clean bottle.
The result is a soft, golden oil infused with the essence of chamomile, ready to be used in balms, skincare recipes, or soapmaking projects.
Simple skin Chamomile Balm
Once you’ve made your chamomile-infused oil, you can take it one step further and turn it into a gentle body balm.This is a very simple recipe, perfect for beginners and a lovely way to use your infused oil. The scent of this balm is absolutely beautiful, so if you decide not to use essential oils, the natural aroma of the chamomile will still shine through and be just as lovely.
simple-
Prep time: 30 minutes -
Total time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
| 100 g | Chamomile-infused oil25 g Beeswax (or vegan wax alternative if preferred)80g Shea ButterOptional: a few drops of lavender or chamomile essential oil |
Utensils
- Glass Jug
- Other small container to weigh the rest of ingredients
- Stainless steel spoon
- Chopstick to stir the mix
- Containers to pour the balms, tin or heatproof jars
- Kitchen Scale
- Digital Thermometer
Steps of preparation
- Place the infused oil in a heatproof glass jug .
- Gently add the beeswax and shea butter ,melt over a double boiler or microwave until fully liquid.
- Stir well to combine and check the temperature. Make sure the mixture is below 150°F before adding the essential oil, if you choose to use one.
- Pour into small tins or jars and leave to set for a few minutes. Once cooled, you’ll have a soft, soothing balm that can be used on dry skin, hands, or rough patches.
It keeps beautifully and also makes a thoughtful handmade gift.
Notes
If you enjoyed this project, let me know in the comments below! I’d also love to hear if you have any questions or if there are other projects you would like to see.
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