All About Roman Chamomile
Roman Chamomile has a significantly different chemistry than German Chamomile. It has been used as a folk remedy for indigestion and anxiety. Modern research has demonstrated it has an antimicrobial effect that may be useful in treating oral conditions, digestive complaints, and more. It may also be anti-diabetic, hypotensive, anti-inflammatory, spasmolytic, analgesic, antioxidant, and have a hormonal effect. More research is needed.
Fun Fact
Roman Chamomile is one of the gentler essential oils, and is sometimes referred to as the "kid calmer", since it has been used as a folk remedy for an upset stomach, earache, diarrhea, and fever.
Roman Chamomile Research
Human studies on Roman chamomile have demonstrated it maybe helpful with certain oral and skin conditions. Scientific studies have shown an antibacterial, antifungal, and antimicrobial effect. Folk medicine has used for digestive complaints and modern studies have shown a spasmolydic, diuretic, and calming effect. It may also be useful for anxiety, headaches, urinary infections, mouth ulcers, diabetic issues, respiroatory complaints, and cardiac health. More research is needed. Click the button below for a detailed review of research.
Roman Chamomile Blog Articles
Roman Chamomile Herb and Essential Oil
Latin Name: Chamaemelum nobile or Anthemis nobilis
Family: Asteraceae
Other Names
Other Common Names: Chamomilla, garden chamomile, ground apple, sweet chamomile, whig plant
Other Latin Names: Manzanilla Romana, Ormenis nobilis
Former Latin Name: Anthemis nobilis
There are three main types of chamomile:
Roman or English - Anthemis nobilis or Chamaemelum nobile - high ester content
German or Blue - Matricaria chamomila or Matricaria recutica - high in chamazulene, farnesene, and bisabobol
Moroccan - Anthemis mixta, Ormensis mixta, or Ormensis multicaulis - high in alpha pinene, germacene, santolina alcohol, and spirocarveol
Plant Description
Roman chamomile is a perennial daisy like flower with a hairy stem, growing to one foot in dry sandy soil.
Do not confuse with German (Blue) chamomile - Matricaria chamomilla, or with Moroccan or wild chamomile - Chamomile maroc
Herb Description
Dried and fresh flowering tops are used. For adults, about a Tablespoon of dried herb can be made as a tea up to three times a day. Steep up to 10 minutes, strain, and drink.
Oil Description
Roman chamomile oil is usually blue colored, but can sometimes be clear, and is non-oily.
Key Constituents
- Pinene / Alpha Pinene / Delta Pinene / Beta Pinene
- Methyl Butyl Angelate
- 3-Methylpentyl Angelate
- Isobutyl buryrate
- Isoamyl Angelate / Angelic Acid / Angelate / Isobutyl angelate
- Bisabolol / Levomenol Pinocarvone
- Chamazulene / Azulene
- 1,8-cineole / Cineole / Eucalyptol / Cajeputol
- Camphene
