THE WONDERS OF CHAMOMILE / Hero ingredient in my 'Luminous Beauty Balm'

It's no secret I am in love with traditional, old school herbs that have been used by alchemists, physicians and witch doctors alike for thousands of years. Here's one of my glorious favourites:

Apart from it's remarkable regenerative properties and ability to soothe ultra sensitive, allergy-prone skin, whole plant Chamomile extract has shown to exert significant growth-inhibiting (cytotoxic) activity on melanoma cells, making this extract effective in after-Sun application –especially where the skin actually has been aggravated or burned.

Naturally occurring Allantoin softens the skin and facilitates rapid cell renewal. Bioflavonoids like Apigenin, Luteolin, Quercetin, Kaempferol and volatile compounds Matricin, Chamazulene and Bisabolol can penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin to soothe inflammation, speed up wound healing, reverse UV induced damage, improve moisture content and help absorb other active ingredients more effectively.

Even if you are wearing sunscreen, it's a good idea to take the zinc off once your outside, and apply regenerative, Chamomile-imbued LUMINOUS BEAUTY BALM, which my light skin Euro friends (and their kids) have extensively tested this last heatwave Aussie Summer: red skin and inflammation vanished overnight, and no German skin got burned in the process.

Drinking cups of cold (or hot) loose leaf Chamomile tea also helps, especially if you chew on the blossoms. A shot of cold Chamomile tea adds a refreshing bitterness to a Gin &Tonic, and helps your liver deal with the effects of the Gin btw;-). Who said alcohol can't be medicine.