Essential Oil Chamomile Roman
Latin / Botanical Name Anthemis Nobile
Family Compositae
(or Asteraceae )
Family Description Most members of Asteraceae are herbaceous, but a significant number are also shrubs, vines and trees. Compositae is considered the most highly evolved dicotyledonous plants, characterized by florets arranged in dense heads that resemble single flowers.
Synonyms Chamaemelum nobile, Garden chamomile, chamomile, English chamomile, sweet chamomile, true chamomile.
Note Middle
Method of Extraction Steam distillation of the flower heads.
Colour Paul Blue / Pale yellow
Consistency Thin
Aromatic Description Bright, crisp, sweet, fruity, apply like scent, herbaceous
Description A small, stocky, perennial herb, up to 25 cms high, with a much branched hairy steam, half spreading or creeping. It has feathery pinnate leaves, daisy-like white flowers which are larger than those of the German chamomile. The essential oil is found in the flowers.
Distribution Native to southern and western Eurpoe, naturalized in North America . Cultivated in England Belgium Hungary United States Italy France
Personality Full of sunshine and joy, with a harmonious disposition and emotional life. They are serene and gentle, but the sometimes appear to be in a dreamlike state.
History and Myth Since antiquity, chamomile flowers have been used internally for digestive disorders and externally for skin and mucous membrane irritations. It was used by the Egyptains and the Moors, and it was one of the Saxon’s nice sacred herbs, which they called ‘maythen’. It was also held to be the ‘plant’s physician’, as it promoted the health of plants nearby.
Blends Blends will with bergamot, clary sage, oakmoss, jasmine, labdanum, neroli, rose, lavender, geranium.
Points of Interest Chamomile tea with lactose (mile sugar), if taken after antibiotics, will help restore the normal balance to the intestinal flora.
Roman Chamomile is considered one of the gentlest of essential oils and is particularly beneficial for treating children and may be used to alleviate the pain associated with teething infants.
It is harmonising, peaceful and soothing to the spirit.
It relates to the throat chakra and can be used to help individuals to express their highest spiritual truth.
Therapeutic Uses Skin: Acne, allergies, boils, burns, cuts, chilblains, dermatitis, earache, eczema, hair care, inflammations, insect bites, rashes, sensitive skin, teething pain, toothache, wounds.
Circulation, muscles and joints: Arthritis, inflamed joints, muscular pain, neuralgia, rheumatism, sprains.
Digestive System: Dyspepsia, colic, indigestion, nausea.
Genito-Urinary system: Dysmenorrhoea, menopausal problems, menorrhagia.
Nervous System: Soothing, calming and antidepressant, alleviates anxiety and stress, migraines, headaches, insomnia and nervous tension, stress related complaints.
Respiratory System: Recommended as an emergency remedy during an asthma attack (rub on solar plexus, wrists and temples).
Therapeutic Actions Analgesic, antipholgistic, anti-anaemic, antineuralgic, antiphlogistic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, bactericidal, carminative, cholagogue, cicatrisant, digestive, emmenagogue, febrifuge, hepatic, hypnotic, nerve sedative, stomachic, sudorific, tonic, vermifuge, vulnerary.
Mode of Administration Massage, compress, bath, douche, ointment, inhalation – direct, diffuser, oil vaporiser.
Safety Information Non-toxic, non-irritant, can cause dermatitis in some individuals.
Contra-indications Not to be used if allergies to Roman Camomile and other Compositaes exists.
Principle Constituents Mainly esters of angelic and tiglic acids with pinene, farnesol, nerolidol, chamazulene, pinocarvone, cineol.
