Chamomile Roman (Chamaemelum nobile) Research

• Lis-Balchin, M.  (2006). Aromatherapy science, A guide for healthcare professionals.  Pharmaceutical Press:  London.

• Petersen, D. (2015). Aromatherapy materia medica.  Essential oil monographs.  American College of Healthcare Sciences.

• WebMD. (n.d.). Chamomile Roman.  Retrieved in November, 2015.  Retrieved from www.webmd.com
• Pharmacological effects of Roman chamomile include: antibacterial, antifungal, insecticidal, hypotensive, cardiac-protective, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, antioxidant, anxiolytic, cytotoxic, bronchial-dilating, and hormone modulating. From:  Al-Snafi, A. E. (2016). Medical importance of Anthemis nobilis (Chamaemelum nobile)-a review. As. J. Pharm. Sci. Technol, 6(2), 89-95.
• This was a review of German and Roman Chamomile.  From: Sharafzadeh, S., & Alizadeh, O. (2011). German and Roman Chamomile.
• This mega-analysis discussed the therapeutic uses of both Roman and German chamomile.  From:  Srivastava, J. K., Shankar, E., & Gupta, S. (2010). Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with bright future. Molecular medicine reports, 3(6), 895.
• Tisserand, R. & Young, R. (2014).  Essential Oil Safety.  Second Edition.  Churchill, Livingstone, Elsevier.
• Roman chamomile is used as a relaxant and digestive aid.  From:  Gardiner, P. (1999). Chamomile (Matricaria recutita, Anthemis nobilis). Longwood Herbal Task Force.
• What is the difference between Roman chamomile and German chamomile.  Read more at this link:  uhRohMuh chamomile article.

​SAFETY

• Pinocarvone is a toxic constituent, giving it a toxic rating of I (Petersen, 2015)
• Take precaution if allergic to ragweed, which is in the same family (Petersen, 2015).
• Avoid during pregnancy and lactation; it may have abortifacient constituents (Lis-Balchin, 2006).
• May be adultered with Moroccan chamomile.

ANTIMICROBIAL / ANTIBACTERIAL / ANTIFUNGAL

• Roman chamomile, curry plant, hyssop, lavandin, marjoram sweet, orange mint, spearmint, monarda, oregano, rosemary, rue sage, tansy, tarragon, thyme common and yarrow showed vapour activity against the fungi that causes ringworm. From:  Inouye, S., Uchida, K., & Abe, S. (2006). Volatile composition and vapour activity against Trichophyton mentagrophytes of 36 aromatic herbs cultivated in Chichibu district in Japan. International Journal of Aromatherapy, 16(3), 159-168.
• Roman Chamomile was tested against Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis), Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Salmonella sp.) yeast (Candida albicans) and showed very high antimicrobial activity. From:  Bail, S., Buchbauer, G., Jirovetz, L., Denkova, Z., Slavchev, A., Stoyanova, A., … & Geissler, M. (2009). Antimicrobial activities of roman chamomile oil from France and its main compounds. Journal of Essential Oil Research, 21(3), 283-286.
• Of 35 medicinal plants tested, the essential oils from 13 plants showed anti-candida activity: Aloysia triphylla (lemon verbena), Anthemis nobilis (Roman chamomile), Cymbopogon martini (palmarosa), Cymbopogon winterianus (lemongrass), Cyperus articulatus, Cyperus rotundus, Lippia alba, Mentha arvensis, Mikania glomerata, Mentha piperita, Mentha sp., Stachys byzantina, and Solidago chilensis. From: Duarte, M. C. T., Figueira, G. M., Sartoratto, A., Rehder, V. L. G., & Delarmelina, C. (2005). Anti-Candida activity of Brazilian medicinal plants. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 97(2), 305-311.
• Chamomile was antibacterial against mouth bacteria and may be useful as a mouthwash for treatment and prophylaxis of periodontitis.  From:  Saderi, H., Owlia, P., Hosseini, A., & Semiyari, H. (2003, February). Antimicrobial effects of chamomile extract and essential oil on clinically isolated Porphyromonas gingivalis from periodontitis. In III WOCMAP Congress on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants-Volume 6: Traditional Medicine and Nutraceuticals 680 (pp. 145-146).
• Inhibition of 45 oils on eight bacteria (four Gram positive and four Gram negative), two fungi, and one yeast were examined using disk assay.  Cinnamomum zeylanicum and Melaleuca alternifolia showed an inhibition against all test organisms and phage. Coriandrum sativum highly inhibited Gram positive bacteria and fungi. Cymbopogon flexuosus and Chamaemelum nobile oils highly inhibited both phage types. Angelica archangelica and Pinus sylvestris inhibited bacteria, but not any fungi. Oils with the highest antimicrobial abilities with the broadest range of inhibition were cinnamon bark (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus), savory (Satureja montana), Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile), rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora), spearmint (Mentha spicata) and tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia).  From:  Chao, S. C., Young, D. G., & Oberg, C. J. (2000). Screening for inhibitory activity of essential oils on selected bacteria, fungi and viruses. Journal of Essential Oil Research, 12(5), 639-649.
• A Chamaemelum nobile ointment was antibacterial and wound healing in vivo.  From:  Kazemian, H., Ghafourian, S., Sadeghifard, N., Houshmandfar, R., Badakhsh, B., Taji, A., … & Heidari, H. (2018). In vivo antibacterial and wound healing activities of Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile). Infectious Disorders-Drug Targets (Formerly Current Drug Targets-Infectious Disorders), 18(1), 41-45.
• German and Roman chamomile extracts demonstrated varying antimicrobial activity against tested bacteria and fungi.  From:  Boudıeb, K., Kaki, S. A. S. A., Oulebsir-Mohandkaci, H., & Bennacer, A. (2018). Phytochemical Characterization and Antimicrobial Potentialities of Two Medicinal plants, Chamaemelum nobile (L.) All and Matricaria chamomilla (L.).

ANTITUMOR / ANTICANCER

• Wild Roman Chamomile showed antioxidant and antitumour activities, without hepatotoxicity.  From:  Guimarães, R., Barros, L., Dueñas, M., Calhelha, R. C., Carvalho, A. M., Santos-Buelga, C., … & Ferreira, I. C. (2013). Nutrients, phytochemicals and bioactivity of wild Roman chamomile: a comparison between the herb and its preparations. Food Chemistry, 136(2), 718-725.

ANTIOXIDANT

• Of 25 essential oils tested, thyme and clove showed the highest antioxidant activity; indicated were their thymol and eugenol components.  Cinnamon, basil, bergamot, eucalyptus, chamomile, bitter orange, and aloe vera were also effective.  From:  Wei, A., & Shibamoto, T. (2010). Antioxidant/lipoxygenase inhibitory activities and chemical compositions of selected essential oils. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 58(12), 7218-7225.
• In vitro anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, anti-nausea, and antioxidant activities of Roman chamomile and its octulosonic acid derivatives were demonstrated.  From:  Zhao, J., Khan, S. I., Wang, M., Vasquez, Y., Yang, M. H., Avula, B., … & Khan, I. A. (2014). Octulosonic acid derivatives from Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) with activities against inflammation and metabolic disorder. Journal of natural products, 77(3), 509-515.

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

• In vitro anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, anti-nausea, and antioxidant activities of Roman chamomile and its octulosnic acid derivatives were demonstrated.  From:  Zhao, J., Khan, S. I., Wang, M., Vasquez, Y., Yang, M. H., Avula, B., … & Khan, I. A. (2014). Octulosonic acid derivatives from Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) with activities against inflammation and metabolic disorder. Journal of natural products, 77(3), 509-515.
• The herbs willow bark (Salix alba), meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria), and chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), and their polyphenol compounds of apigenin, quercetin and salicylic acid showed anti-inflammatory activity in vitro.  From:  Drummond, E. M., Harbourne, N., Marete, E., Martyn, D., Jacquier, J. C., O’riordan, D., & Gibney, E. R. (2013). Inhibition of proinflammatory biomarkers in THP1 macrophages by polyphenols derived from chamomile, meadowsweet and willow bark. Phytotherapy Research, 27(4), 588-594.
• Roman chamomile essential oil showed a sedative, anti-inflammatory effect in rats.  From:  Rossi, T., Melegari, M., Bianchi, A., Albasini, A., & Vampa, G. (1988). Sedative, anti-inflammatory and anti-diuretic effects induced in rats by essential oils of varieties of Anthemis nobilis: a comparative study. Pharmacological research communications, 20, 71-74.
• Oral administration of Roman chamomile flower essential oil reduced pain and inflammation in rodents.  From:  Aremu, O. O., Tata, C. M., Sewani-Rusike, C. R., Oyedeji, A. O., Oyedeji, O. O., & Nkeh-Chungag, B. N. (2018). Phytochemical composition, and analgesic and antiinflammatory properties of essential oil of Chamaemelum nobile (Asteraceae L All) in rodents. Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 17(10), 1939-1945.
• Chamomile recutita flower extract had potent hypoglycemic, antioxidant and hepatorenal protective effects in diabetic rats.  From:  Al-Musa, H., & Al-Hashem, F. (2014). Hypoglycemic, hepato-renal and antioxidant potential effects of Chamomile recutita flowers ethanolic extract in streptozotocin-diabetic rats. American Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 9(1), 1.

ANALGESIC

• Oral administration of Roman chamomile flower essential oil reduced pain and inflammation in rodents.  From:  Aremu, O. O., Tata, C. M., Sewani-Rusike, C. R., Oyedeji, A. O., Oyedeji, O. O., & Nkeh-Chungag, B. N. (2018). Phytochemical composition, and analgesic and antiinflammatory properties of essential oil of Chamaemelum nobile (Asteraceae L All) in rodents. Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 17(10), 1939-1945.

SKIN / WOUND HEALING

• Manzana type chamomile was more effective than hydrocortisone cream in treating atopic eczema in this partially double-blind, randomized study.  From:  Patzelt-Wenczler, R., & Ponce-Pöschl, E. (2000). Proof of efficacy of Kamillosan (R) cream in atopic eczema. European journal of medical research, 5(4), 171-175.  Read more:  Link
• A Chamaemelum nobile ointment was antibacterial and wound healing in vivo.  From:  Kazemian, H., Ghafourian, S., Sadeghifard, N., Houshmandfar, R., Badakhsh, B., Taji, A., … & Heidari, H. (2018). In vivo antibacterial and wound healing activities of Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile). Infectious Disorders-Drug Targets (Formerly Current Drug Targets-Infectious Disorders), 18(1), 41-45.  Read more:  Link
• In a study of 101 patients with recurrent mouth ulcers, a Zataria multiflora and Anthemis nobilis preparation was better than an M. communis preparation at reducing pain.  From:  Jafari, S., Amanlou, M., Borhan-mojabi, K., & Farsam, H. (2003). Comparartive study of Zataria multiflora and Anthemis nobelis extracts with Myrthus communis preparation in the treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis. DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 11(1), 23-7.  Read more:  Link
• This was a review of research on the use of plants from the Asteraceae family to treat wounds. From: Carvalho Jr, A. R., Diniz, R. M., Suarez, M. A., Figueiredo, C. S., Zagmignan, A., Grisotto, M. A., … & da Silva, L. C. (2018). Use of some asteraceae plants for the treatment of wounds: from ethnopharmacological studies to scientific evidences. Frontiers in pharmacology, 9, 784.  Read more:  Link

CARDIAC HEALTH / HYPOTENSIVE

• C. nobile extract possesses in vitro vaso-relaxant effects on a rat heart.  From:  Zeggwagh, N. A., Michel, J. B., & Eddouks, M. (2013). Vascular effects of aqueous extract of Chamaemelum nobile: in vitro pharmacological studies in rats. Clinical and Experimental Hypertension, 35(3), 200-206.
• Chamaemelum nobile extract possesses a hypotensive and diuretic effect in hypertensive rats.  From: Zeggwagh, N. A., Moufid, A., Michel, J. B., & Eddouks, M. (2009). Hypotensive effect of C. nobile aqueous extract in spontaneously hypertensive rats.Clinical and Experimental Hypertension, 31(5), 440-450.

ANTI-DIABETIC

• Chamomile recutita flower extract had potent hypoglycemic, antioxidant and hepatorenal protective effects in diabetic rats.  From:  Al-Musa, H., & Al-Hashem, F. (2014). Hypoglycemic, hepato-renal and antioxidant potential effects of Chamomile recutita flowers ethanolic extract in streptozotocin-diabetic rats. American Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 9(1), 1.
• C. nobile extract exhibits a significant hypoglycemic effect in rats. From:  Eddouks, M., Lemhadri, A., Zeggwagh, N. A., & Michel, J. B. (2005). Potent hypoglycaemic activity of the aqueous extract of Chamaemelum nobile in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes research and clinical practice, 67(3), 189-195.
• In vitro anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, anti-nausea, and antioxidant activities of Roman chamomile and its octulosnic acid derivatives were demonstrated.  From:  Zhao, J., Khan, S. I., Wang, M., Vasquez, Y., Yang, M. H., Avula, B., … & Khan, I. A. (2014). Octulosonic acid derivatives from Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) with activities against inflammation and metabolic disorder. Journal of natural products, 77(3), 509-515.

​URINARY HEALTH

• Various extract types from the plants: Prunus cerasus and Chamaemelum nobile were antibacterial against the pathogens that causes urinary tract disorders. From:  Berroukche, A., Benreguieg, M., Terras, M., Fares, S., Dellaoui, H., Lansari, W., … & Dehkal, B. (2018). Antibacterial effects of Prunus cerasus and Chamaemelum nobile against drug resistant strains induced urinary disorders.

DIURETIC

• Chamaemelum nobile extract possesses a hypotensive and diuretic effect in hypertensive rats.  From: Zeggwagh, N. A., Moufid, A., Michel, J. B., & Eddouks, M. (2009). Hypotensive effect of C. nobile aqueous extract in spontaneously hypertensive rats.Clinical and Experimental Hypertension, 31(5), 440-450.

SEDATIVE

• Roman chamomile essential oil showed a sedative, anti-inflammatory effect in rats.  From:  Rossi, T., Melegari, M., Bianchi, A., Albasini, A., & Vampa, G. (1988). Sedative, anti-inflammatory and anti-diuretic effects induced in rats by essential oils of varieties of Anthemis nobilis: a comparative study. Pharmacological research communications, 20, 71-74.

MENOPAUSE

• In a study of 15 perimenopausal women per essential oil, aroma of jasmine absolute, roman chamomile, and clary sage essential oils resulted in increased salivary testosterone levels.  From:  Tarumi, W., Kumagai, C., & Shinohara, K. (2019). Exposure to Essential Oil Odors Increases Salivary Testosterone Concentration in Perimenopausal Women. Acta medica Nagasakiensia, 62(2), 49-54.

FEMALE HEALTH

• In a study of 15 perimenopausal women per essential oil, aroma of jasmine absolute, roman chamomile, and clary sage essential oils resulted in increased salivary testosterone levels.  From:  Tarumi, W., Kumagai, C., & Shinohara, K. (2019). Exposure to Essential Oil Odors Increases Salivary Testosterone Concentration in Perimenopausal Women. Acta medica Nagasakiensia, 62(2), 49-54.
• Plants that have shown to affect female fertility were reviewed.  Roman chamomile was mentioned as reducing polysystic ovarian syndrome by reducing estrogen via an in vivo study.  From:  Al-Snafi, A. E. (2018). Arabian medicinal plants affected female fertility-plant based review (part 1). IOSR Journal of Pharmacy, 8(7), 46-62.

DIGESTIVE AID

• In vitro anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, anti-nausea, and antioxidant activities of Roman chamomile and its octulosnic acid derivatives were demonstrated.  From:  Zhao, J., Khan, S. I., Wang, M., Vasquez, Y., Yang, M. H., Avula, B., … & Khan, I. A. (2014). Octulosonic acid derivatives from Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) with activities against inflammation and metabolic disorder. Journal of natural products, 77(3), 509-515.
• Flavinoids from Roman chamomile reduced gastrointestinal smooth muscles in vitro.  From:  Sándor, Z., Mottaghipisheh, J., Veres, K., Hohmann, J., Bencsik, T., Horváth, A., … & Csupor, D. (2018). Evidence supports tradition: the in vitro effects of Roman Chamomile on smooth muscles. Frontiers in pharmacology, 9, 323.

SPASMOLYTIC

• Flavonoids from Roman chamomile reduced gastrointestinal smooth muscles in vitro.  From:  Sándor, Z., Mottaghipisheh, J., Veres, K., Hohmann, J., Bencsik, T., Horváth, A., … & Csupor, D. (2018). Evidence supports tradition: the in vitro effects of Roman Chamomile on smooth muscles. Frontiers in pharmacology, 9, 323.

ORAL HEALTH

• In a study of 101 patients with recurrent mouth ulcers, a Zataria multiflora and Anthemis nobilis preparation was better than an M. communis preparation at reducing pain.  From:  Jafari, S., Amanlou, M., Borhan-mojabi, K., & Farsam, H. (2003). Comparartive study of Zataria multiflora and Anthemis nobelis extracts with Myrthus communis preparation in the treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis. DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 11(1), 23-7.  Read more:  Link
• In a study of 55 patients with oral lichen planus, half were treated with a 2% Chamaemelum nobile gel for 4 weeks.  Results showed a change in total antioxidant saliva in the chamomile group that helped reduced pain, drainage, and dry mouth.  From:  Tvarijonaviciute, A., Aznar-Cayuela, C., Rubio, C. P., Tecles, F., Ceron, J. J., & López-Jornet, P. (2018). Salivary Antioxidant Status in Patients with Oral Lichen Planus: Correlation with Clinical Signs and Evolution during Treatment with Chamaemelum nobile. BioMed research international, 2018.
• Roman chamomile extracts and essential oil were effective in vitro against bacterial strains that cause oral gingivitis and periodontitis.  From:  Saderi, H., Owlia, P., Hosseini, A., & Semiyari, H. (2003, February). Antimicrobial effects of chamomile extract and essential oil on clinically isolated Porphyromonas gingivalis from periodontitis. In III WOCMAP Congress on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants-Volume 6: Traditional Medicine and Nutraceuticals 680 (pp. 145-146).

ANTI-ULCER

• In a study of 101 patients with recurrent mouth ulcers, a Zataria multiflora and Anthemis nobilis preparation was better than an M. communis preparation at reducing pain.  From:  Jafari, S., Amanlou, M., Borhan-mojabi, K., & Farsam, H. (2003). Comparartive study of Zataria multiflora and Anthemis nobelis extracts with Myrthus communis preparation in the treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis. DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 11(1), 23-7.

RESPIRATORY HEALTH

• In a study with 54 patients with chronic bronchial asthma, Roman chamomile was given to 18 patients and black caraway was given to another 18 patients for 21 days.  Plants were boiled and used via inhalation of the vapors.  Both plants showed improved air flow, but Negella sativa was superior to anthemis nobilis.  From:  Al-Jawad, Faruk H., et al. “Broncho-relaxant activity of Nigella sativa versus anthemisnobilis in chronic bronchial asthma; a comparative study of efficacy.” IOSR J Pharmac 2 (2012): 81-83.

ANXIETY

• Aromatherapy with a blend of lavender, roman chamomile, and neroli, reduced anxiety and improved sleep in a study with 56 ICU patients.  From:  Cho, M. Y., Min, E. S., Hur, M. H., & Lee, M. S. (2013). Effects of aromatherapy on the anxiety, vital signs, and sleep quality of percutaneous coronary intervention patients in intensive care units. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013.

INSOMNIA

• Aromatherapy with a blend of lavender, roman chamomile, and neroli, reduced anxiety and improved sleep in a study with 56 ICU patients.  From:  Cho, M. Y., Min, E. S., Hur, M. H., & Lee, M. S. (2013). Effects of aromatherapy on the anxiety, vital signs, and sleep quality of percutaneous coronary intervention patients in intensive care units. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013.

HEADACHE RELIEF

• Chamomile oil may be usable for the relief of migraine pain.  From: Zargaran, A., Borhani-Haghighi, A., Faridi, P., Daneshamouz, S., Kordafshari, G., & Mohagheghzadeh, A. (2014). Potential effect and mechanism of action of topical chamomile (Matricaria chammomila L.) oil on migraine headache: A medical hypothesis. Medical hypotheses, 83(5), 566-569.

HEPATOPROTECTIVE

• Chamomile recutita flower extract had potent hypoglycemic, antioxidant and hepatorenal protective effects in diabetic rats.  From:  Al-Musa, H., & Al-Hashem, F. (2014). Hypoglycemic, hepato-renal and antioxidant potential effects of Chamomile recutita flowers ethanolic extract in streptozotocin-diabetic rats. American Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 9(1), 1.

ANTI-PARASITIC

• Essential oils of lime, Roman chamomile, and lavender were anti-parasitic in vitro against Haemonchus contortus. From: Ferreira, L. E., Benincasa, B. I., Fachin, A. L., Contini, S. H. T., França, S. C., Chagas, A. C. S., & Beleboni, R. O. (2018). Essential oils of Citrus aurantifolia, Anthemis nobile and Lavandula officinalis: in vitro anthelmintic activities against Haemonchus contortus. Parasites & vectors, 11(1), 269.

By: Kathy Sadowski

Updated: 11/15/19