Essential Oil - Roman Chamomile
Essential Oil – Chamomile (Roman)
Botanical Information
Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile), formerly known as Anthemis nobilis, belongs to the Asteraceae (Compositae) family. It is also commonly called English Chamomile, Garden Chamomile, Sweet Chamomile, and True Chamomile. This low-growing perennial herb typically reaches 25 cm in height and has creeping, branching stems covered with fine hairs. Its feathery green leaves and larger white daisy-like flowers distinguish it from German Chamomile, while the entire plant releases a pleasant apple-like fragrance when crushed.
Habitat and Cultivation
Roman Chamomile is native to Southern and Western Europe and has become naturalized in North America. It is commercially cultivated in England, Belgium, Hungary, France, Italy, and the United States, where it thrives in sunny locations with well-drained soils.
Related Species
Many chamomile species grow throughout the world, including several native to the British Isles. However, Roman Chamomile is the principal British species traditionally cultivated for medicinal and essential oil production. It is closely related to German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita), although the two produce oils with noticeably different chemistry and therapeutic characteristics.
Traditional Uses
Roman Chamomile has been valued as a medicinal herb for more than 2,000 years, particularly throughout Europe and the Mediterranean region. Ancient Egyptians, the Moors, and the Anglo-Saxons all regarded it as an important healing plant, with the Saxons including it among their Nine Sacred Herbs. It was traditionally believed to strengthen nearby plants, earning the title “the plant’s physician.” Historically, Roman Chamomile has been used to relieve digestive discomfort, nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting during pregnancy, painful menstruation, and stress-related digestive disorders. It remains recognized in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia for these traditional applications.
Therapeutic Actions
Roman Chamomile essential oil is traditionally regarded as analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antibacterial, carminative, digestive, cholagogue, hepatic tonic, febrifuge, hypnotic, nerve sedative, stomachic, sudorific, wound-healing (cicatrisant), vermifuge, vulnerary, and general tonic. It is especially valued for calming the nervous system while easing digestive and muscular discomfort.
Extraction Method
The essential oil is obtained through steam distillation of the fresh flower heads, producing one of the most highly prized chamomile oils in aromatherapy.
Aroma and Characteristics
Roman Chamomile essential oil is initially a pale blue liquid that gradually changes to yellow with age. It possesses a warm, sweet, fruity, herbaceous aroma with soft apple-like notes. The oil blends exceptionally well with bergamot, clary sage, oakmoss, jasmine, labdanum, neroli, rose, geranium, and lavender.
Major Chemical Constituents
The oil consists predominantly of esters of angelic and tiglic acids (approximately 85%), together with pinene, farnesol, nerolidol, chamazulene, pinocarvone, cineole, and several other naturally occurring aromatic compounds responsible for its calming and anti-inflammatory properties.
Safety Profile
Roman Chamomile essential oil is generally regarded as non-toxic and non-irritating when used appropriately. However, individuals sensitive to plants within the Asteraceae family may occasionally experience allergic skin reactions or dermatitis. A patch test is recommended before topical application.
Aromatherapy Uses
Roman Chamomile is widely used in aromatherapy for the same therapeutic purposes as German Chamomile. It is particularly valued for soothing sensitive skin, eczema, dermatitis, minor burns, cuts, rashes, insect bites, and other inflammatory skin conditions. It also helps ease arthritis, muscle aches, neuralgia, digestive complaints, menstrual discomfort, headaches, insomnia, stress, anxiety, and nervous tension, making it one of the most calming essential oils in holistic practice.
Other Uses
Roman Chamomile essential oil is extensively incorporated into pharmaceutical products, cosmetics, soaps, hair-care formulations, bath products, luxury perfumes, and natural skincare products. It is also used as a flavouring ingredient in various foods, herbal preparations, alcoholic beverages, and soft drinks, where permitted.
