The source of our offering is a grower’s co-operative in South Africa comprised of a number of small-scale farmers who are devoted to the maintenance of biodiversity and the sustainable production of indigenous essential oils. This alliance benefits both producers and consumers by having a central distribution center, providing for a more reliable supply and a wider range of essential oils available for export. Our Cape Chamomile oil comes from one of these small farms where harvesting – done entirely by hand! – occurs only once a year.[1]

Eriocephalus punctulatus is a member of the Asteraceae family and is a distant sister to Roman (Anthemis nobilis) and German Blue (Matricaria recutita) Chamomiles – with certain family resemblances. Chemically complex, this oil shares a rich range of soft, fruity ester compounds that contribute to the calming aroma, gentle nature, and potent effects. The punctulatus species also contains the cool, blue azulene found in German Chamomile – a compound not present in the plant but only produced during distillation from the proazulene precursor, matricine. Depending on the percentage of flowers present in the plant material of each distillation, the color of the essential oil will vary from blue to blue/green.[2]