Roman Chamomile Essential OilBotanical Nomenclature: A. nobilis, C. nobile In some botanical texts, Roman chamomile is still referred to as Chamaemelum nobile and you will occasionally see the essential oil labeled with this nomenclature, as well.
Characteristics of Roman Chamomile OilRoman chamomile essential oil should be pale yellow in color and have a sweet "herby" scent. It is sometimes described as "tea-like" or "apple-like". The initial top note can be almost overwhelming but quickly fades into a slightly deeper herbaceous scent.Psychological AromatherapyPopular aromatherapy authors like Julia Lawless and Patricia Davis write that chamomile essential oil is especially good for tension and conditions resulting from stress, including "nervous" stomach, tension headaches and feelings of restlessness.According to most of today's aromatherapy experts, Roman chamomile is an excellent oil to diffuse to promote harmony, peace and spiritual enlightenment.
Traditional Uses for Roman ChamomileHerb of Roman chamomile has long been used to treat digestive complaints and a variety of skin conditions. Famed herbalist Nicholas Culpepper wrote extensively about the benefits he believed were associated with this common garden herb.Although the sheer number of plants called "chamomile" make it difficult to ascertain if the Roman chamomile of today is the same chamomile used by herbalists of yesteryear, there is no doubt that chamomile had a special place in the hearts of "natural" healers--especially when it came to treating nervous conditions.
Scientific Studies on Roman Chamomile OilLike many other essential oils, Roman chamomile has not been exhaustively studied for medicinal purposes. The herb from which it is distilled has been the subject of a number of scientific studies in recent years but the essential oils itself has not.In laboratory tests, Roman chamomile tea, which contains only trace amounts of essential oil, have been studied for its long-believed anti-inflammatory actions with very promising results. Safety IssuesIn popular do-it-yourself aromatherapy books, Roman chamomile is listed as non-toxic and non-sensitizing. In fact, it's considered so mild that it is one of the few essential oils "approved" by the various aromatherapy experts for use on and around even very young children.Like most other volatile botanical oils, Roman chamomile has not been exhaustively studied for safety but in preparation for this monograph, we could find no studies reporting any adverse reactions, other than allergy, to Roman chamomile essential oil.
References: Battaglia, S. (2005). The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy. Carnat, A. (2004). The aromatic and polyphenolic composition of Roman camomile tea. Ziyan, L., (2007). Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activity of luteolin in experimental animal models. Leave Roman Chamomile Essential Oil & return to Oils Directory page.
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