Guide To Roman Chamomile Essential Oil Benefits and Uses

Roman chamomile essential oil (Anthemis nobilis or Chamaemelum nobile) is harmonizing, peaceful, and soothing to the spirit, according to aromatherapist Valerie Ann Worwood in Aromatherapy For the Soul. She says the emotional benefits of this essential oil are to encourage relaxation, stillness, calmness, softness, gentleness, serenity, spiritual awareness, emotional stability, inner peace, understanding, and cooperation.

This oil is also called English chamomile. The British spelling of chamomile is camomile.

Click here for a profile of German (blue) chamomile essential oil.

Basic Roman Chamomile Facts

Plant family: Asteraceae/Compositae

Production: Steam distilled from the daisy-like flowers of the plant, a perennial herb.

Aroma: Sweet, fruity, herbaceous.

Perfume/Aromatic note: Middle

Is Roman chamomile safe to use during pregnancy? Yes, according to Aromatherapy and Massage For Mother and Baby and the IFPA Pregnancy Guidelines. However, I saw some sources caution against the oil's use — it's always a good idea to consult a professional.

Is Roman chamomile essential oil safe for children? Yes.

Cautions: As a member of the daisy family, chamomile could cause a reaction in someone allergic to ragweed.

Main components:

• Isobutyl Angelate              0–37.4%
• Butyl Angelate                   0–34.9%
• 3-Methylpentyl Angelate 0–22.7%
• Isobutyl Butyrate              0–20.5%
• Isoamyl Angelate              8.4–17.9%

Source: Essential Oil Safety, 2nd Ed.

Roman Chamomile Essential Oil Benefits

The Heart of Aromatherapy: Use Roman chamomile for soothing skin irritation and inflammation, relieving sore muscles (including spasms and cramps), supporting digestion, easing nausea, and as a relaxing and uplifting tonic.

The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy: Roman chamomile may help relieve muscle spasm and contractions, joint pain and inflammation, menstrual cramps, anxiety, depression, nervousness, insomnia, and stress-related conditions. The essential oil is also useful for skin conditions such as rashes, eczema, psoriasis, skin irritation, sunburn, and insect bites and stings.

The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (updated edition): Uses of Roman chamomile essential oil include skin care, muscle and joint pain, indigestion, nausea, menstrual pain, menopausal symptoms, headaches and migraines, insomnia, nervous tension, and stress-related conditions.

Aromatherapy For Healing the Spirit: In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Roman chamomile soothes the flow of the body's Qi-energy, helping relax nerves, calm spasm, and ease pain. The essential oil also clears heat and helps reduce inflammation.

Aromatica: A Clinical Guide to Essential Oil Therapeutics, Volume I: Psychologically, Roman chamomile promotes emotional flexibility and stability and also calms the mind and promotes relaxation. Physically, the essential oil relaxes hypertonic/tense conditions. The oil relaxes conditions involving nervous tension, pain, and irritability and is useful for all stress-related conditions, among other benefits. In Traditional Chinese Medicine the essential function of this essential oil is to regulate the Qi, calm the Liver, and harmonize the Shen.

Subtle Aromatherapy: Roman chamomile relates to the throat chakra and can help you speak your highest spiritual truth.

The Essential Guide to Aromatherapy and Vibrational Healing: Roman chamomile can help activate your creativity, universal flow, and inner peace. The essential oil can calm the chatter in your mind and help you sort out your thoughts. The oil can also help relieve insomnia or anxiety and diminish emotional outbursts caused by PMS, menopause, or other hormonal imbalances.

Aromatherapy and Subtle Energy Techniques: Roman chamomile calms and comforts. The oil is especially useful for the second chakra to calm and soothe the emotions, promote emotional stability and cooperation, and promote calm understanding of your relationships with others.

Roman Chamomile Oil Uses and Blends

For sleep, diffuse a blend of Roman chamomile and lavender.

Bath Salt for Sleep and Calm

• 8 ounces Epsom salt
• 20 drops Roman chamomile essential oil
• 20 drops lavender essential oil
• 8-ounce PET plastic jar
  

Fill the empty jar with salt. Add essential oils to the salt and mix vigorously for at least one minute.

To use: Add about two tablespoons to your bath water. Soak and enjoy. Adapted from Essential Living.

As a quick alternative for one bath, blend 2 drops Roman chamomile and 2 drops lavender in one teaspoon carrier oil (or milk or honey). Add the blend to your bath water.

Body Moisturizers

Nourishing Body Oil

To make a soothing body oil for tired skin and muscles, blend:

• 2 drops Roman chamomile  
• 3 drops lavender essential oil  
• 3 drops marjoram essential oil  
• 1 tablespoon carrier oil

Source: 10 Recipes with Roman Chamomile Essential Oil

Skin Soothing Body Butter

• 1 tablespoon shea butter
• 4 drops Roman chamomile
• 4 drops neroli oil
• 2 drops lavender essential oil
  

Blend essential oils into softened shea butter. Apply to skin as desired.

Source: Rocky Mountain Oils

Extra Tip

For irritated skin, use Roman chamomile hydrosol as a toner.

Other Roman Chamomile Blends

Back Rub Oil for Cough and Colds

• 2 tablespoons jojoba oil
• 3 drops Roman chamomile essential oil
• 3 drops balsam fir essential oil
• One-ounce glass or PET plastic bottle
  

Add jojoba and essential oils to bottle. Shake gently to mix.

To use: Shake gently. Apply a little oil to the back of the neck and back before bedtime or as needed during the day.

Caution: Do not use on children under five. Adapted from Essential Living.

Calming Aromatherapy Massage Oil

• 6 drops Roman chamomile
• 4 drops sandalwood essential oil
• 3 drops bergamot essential oil
• 3 drops juniper essential oil
• 4 tablespoons carrier oil

Source: Essential Oils For Healing

Tension-Anxiety Blend

To help relieved anxiety accompanied by tension:

• 5 drops Roman chamomile essential oil
• 10 drops clary sage essential oil
• 15 drops lavender essential oil

Blend the essential oils in a small dark bottle. You can use the blend in several ways:

• Diffuse a few drops using an aromatherapy diffuser.
• Make a massage oil by adding the essential oil blend to 2 tablespoons carrier oil.
• Make a bath blend by adding a few drops to some bath salts.

Source: Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy

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Photo Credit: Karelj - Own work, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons