Chamomile and chamomile flowers are a great beauty aid in addition to being part of a delicious and soothing chamomile tea. If you want to add the soothing, anti-aging properties of chamomile to any of your existing cosmetics, you can do so by using fresh or dried chamomile flowers and a few items that you probably already have in your kitchen to make a chamomile extract that can be added to any existing lotion, hair product or facial crème.

Here are the items that you will need:

• A glass measuring cup
• A tea ball
• Dried or fresh chamomile flowers
• A microwave
• Small airtight container

Start out by microwaving half a cup of water until it is boiling. Put it in the glass measuring cup and microwave it on high for 2 minutes. Generally, this will be long enough to bring the water to a rolling boil. If it is not, then microwave the water for an additional 2 minutes, watching closely to insure that you spot the water when it starts boiling hard.

While you are waiting for the water to boil, fill the tea ball with chamomile flowers. It does not matter whether they are fresh or dried. Fill the ball full. You can crush the flowers if necessary.

Steep the chamomile flowers in the boiling water for at least 20 minutes. The longer you leave them in the water, the stronger your chamomile extract will be. You may wish to leave them in the water for as long as 2 hours. The water will probably become a dark brown as you steep the chamomile in it. You are basically making a very concentrated chamomile tea.

Once the concentrated chamomile is done, you can add it in small amounts to various items. Add about a half teaspoon to a lotion or facial crème so that you do not make the substance too watery. It may change the color and scent of the lotion or crème slightly. Chamomile lotions and facial crèmes are good for sensitive skin. Just as chamomile soothes your nerves when you drink it as a tea, chamomile flower extract will sooth your skin. It also has anti-aging properties and will keep your skin smoother and more hydrated longer.
Chamomile is mostly an aromatherapeutic addition to hair products . However, the soothing scent of chamomile flower extract is a great way to start or end your day when you are bathing or showering. As with the lotion, add only a half teaspoon to a teaspoon to your shampoo and then test it out to see how you like it. Add more only if you want a stronger scent or you are enjoying the way your hair reacts with the flowers.

The chamomile extract should be refrigerated if you do not add it to another product. Every two to four weeks you should make a new batch. If you add it to an existing product, the preservatives should keep it fresh unless you add large volumes to the product. A teaspoon or so of chamomile flower extract will not impact or shorten the life of the pre-existing product.