Roman Chamomile
(Chamaemelum nobile L.) / Roman Chamomile "hybrida"
Background
Distilled from the flowers of a low-growing perennial. It is a pale blue to yellowish oil, more expensive than German chamomile, and it is the gentler of the two.
Therapeutic
properties
Sedative, antispasmodic, anti-anxiety, mildly anti-inflammatory, analgesic.
Detailed uses
Sleep
One of the best oils for insomnia and "busy mind." Use 2-3 drops in a diffuser an hour before bed or 1% on the chest, neck, and soles of the feet.
Anxiety and emotional stress
Panic, nervous tension, and irritability (inhaler stick or pulse points, diluted).
Children
Restlessness, night waking, and tantrums at very low dilution (0.25-0.5%). Many practitioners prefer chamomile hydrosol for infants.
Menstrual and digestive cramps
Warm compress or massage with lavender.
Skin
Dry, red, itchy, or reactive skin. Often used in baby balms, cream bases, and after-sun care.
Muscle tension
Neck and shoulder knots from stress.
Herbal medicine
Roman chamomile flower tea is a traditional European remedy for nervous stomach, loss of appetite, indigestion, and sleeplessness. It was historically used as a "strewing herb" and in herbal baths.
Blends well with
- Lavender
- geranium
- clary sage
- bergamot
- neroli
- ylang ylang
- sweet orange