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Blue chamomile is native to Europe and Western Asia and widely cultivated for medicinal use. The essential oil is steam‑distilled from the flowers and is notable for its deep blue color, which comes from the formation of chamazulene during distillation. It is highly valued for its anti‑inflammatory and calming properties.

Dilution Guidelines

See Dilution Guidelines for more in-depth explanation on dilution amounts. Children require lower dilution rates than adults.

• On the Tisserand Institute dilution chart:
  • 1% dilution ≈ 3 drops per 10 mL carrier oil
  • 2% dilution ≈ 6 drops per 10 mL carrier oil

Key Constituents

These are some of the major compounds. See Essential Oil Safety (2nd ed.) for a full constituent list with percentages.

• α‑Bisabolol oxide A – anti‑inflammatory, skin soothing
• α‑Bisabolol oxide B – calming, anti‑irritant
• α‑Bisabolol oxide – antimicrobial, supports wound healing
• α‑Bisabolol – soothing, anti‑inflammatory, antioxidant
• (E)‑β‑Farnesene – antispasmodic, sedative, aromatic
• Chamazulene – anti‑inflammatory, antioxidant (formed during distillation)

Safety & Hazard Information

• General Safety: Must be diluted before topical use. Avoid undiluted application (Essential Oil Safety; AromaWeb).
• Flammability: All essential oils are a flammable liquid.

A 2025 systematic review of chamomile adverse events found that the plant is generally safe when used at controlled dosages, with most reported side effects being mild and self‑limiting (such as gastrointestinal upset and drowsiness). However, case reports highlight that allergic reactions (including rare cases of anaphylaxis) and drug interactions (notably with anticoagulants and cyclosporine) can occur. The review also noted insufficient data regarding safety in pregnancy and lactation, emphasizing the need for caution in sensitive populations. Readers can explore the full study on Science Direct for a deeper look at the evidence.

Contraindications

While Blue/German Chamomile is generally considered safe when diluted and used appropriately, individuals taking prescription medications should consult a qualified healthcare provider before use. Essential Oil Safety (2nd ed.) notes that Blue/German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) may interact with certain medications. Reading Tisserand and Young’s full profile is always recommended.

These cautions mean that Blue/German Chamomile could alter how some prescription medications are processed in the body, potentially changing their effectiveness or side‑effect profile. The specific drug lists are extensive (including antidepressants, antipsychotics, pain medications, and certain cardiovascular drugs) and are detailed in Appendix B of Essential Oil Safety (2nd ed.).

• Allergies: Avoid if allergic to plants in the Asteraceae family (ragweed, daisies, marigolds) (WebMD; HerbalGram).

General Advisory: Do not apply undiluted. Avoid if allergic to ragweed/daisy family plants. Use caution if taking prescription medications.

Blue/German Chamomile essential oil is classified as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. GRAS status means that, when used appropriately, the substance is considered safe by qualified experts for its intended use.

Simplified Side Effects

Based on the information from RxList and WebMD:

Roman Chamomile is generally considered safe when used in foods, inhaled, or applied to the skin. However, some people may experience:

• Allergic reactions (especially those sensitive to ragweed, daisies, marigolds, or other Asteraceae family plants)
• Skin irritation such as itchy, red skin in sensitive individuals
• Gastrointestinal upset (vomiting) if taken in large amounts by mouth
• Pregnancy caution: RxList and WebMD notes possible risk of miscarriage if taken internally in medicinal amounts
• Breastfeeding caution: Safety is not established; best to limit use to food amounts

Common Uses

Based on the information from ACHS, AromaWeb, HerbalGram, RxList, and WebMD:

Roman Chamomile is widely recognized for its gentle, soothing properties. Its most consistent uses include:

• Relaxation and sleep support — often used in teas and aromatherapy for calming effects (ACHS; AromaWeb; WebMD).
• Skin care — applied externally to soothe irritated or inflamed skin, eczema, rashes, and wounds (AromaWeb; RXList; HerbalGram; ACHS).
• Digestive support — traditionally used for indigestion, nausea, colic, and upset stomach (AromaWeb; RXList; HerbalGram).
• Stress and anxiety relief — valued for its calming aroma and gentle sedative qualities (AromaWeb; WebMD; ACHS).

In addition to these common applications, Roman Chamomile has been noted for a variety of other uses:

• Relief of painful periods (dysmenorrhea, PMS) and menstrual discomfort (AromaWeb; RXList)
• Support for arthritis, rheumatism, sprains, and strains through anti‑inflammatory action (AromaWeb)
• Treatment of earache, sore throat, sinusitis, and headaches (AromaWeb; RXList)
• Care for infants and children, including diaper rash, temper tantrums, and sore gums (RXList; HerbalGram; ACHS)
• Application to minor infections and wounds, including abscesses, boils, insect bites, and sores (AromaWeb; RXList)
• Traditional use for liver and gallbladder problems, hemorrhoids, and frostbite (RXList)
• Investigated for anticancer, anti‑diabetes, and anti‑inflammatory effects due to its chemical constituents, though evidence remains limited (WebMD)

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Click Here -> To see information References:

Disclaimer: The information published on The Badge Archive is built from the references listed below. These sources demonstrate that our content is grounded in facts and research, not opinion or speculation. Readers may consult them directly when looking for additional material.

• American Botanical Council. “Roman Chamomile.” Www.herbalgram.org, http://www.herbalgram.org/resources/healthy-ingredients/roman-chamomile/. Accessed 3 Dec. 2025.
• “Chamomile – Search Results – PMC.” Nih.gov, 2015, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/search/?term=Chamomile&sort=relevance. Accessed 3 Dec. 2025.
• Ostovar, Mohadeseh, et al. “Chamomile: A Systematic Review of Adverse Events.” Complementary Therapies in Medicine, vol. 91, Aug. 2025, p. 103192, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0965229925000676, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103192. Accessed 3 Dec. 2025.
• Petersen, Dorene. “American College of Healthcare Sciences.” American College of Healthcare Sciences, 9 June 2025, achs.edu/blog/blue-vs-roman-chamomile/. Accessed 3 Dec. 2025.
• Robbins, Wendy. “Roman Chamomile Essential Oil: Benefits, Uses & Insights.” Aromaweb.com, 2014, http://www.aromaweb.com/essential-oils/roman-chamomile-essential-oil.php. Accessed 3 Dec. 2025.
• “Roman Chamomile: Health Benefits, Side Effects, Uses, Dose & Precautions.” RxList, 11 June 2021, http://www.rxlist.com/supplements/roman_chamomile.htm. Accessed 3 Dec. 2025.
• “Roman Chamomile: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews.” Webmd.com, 2016, http://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-752/roman-chamomile#uses. Accessed 3 Dec. 2025.
• Robert, Tisserand, and Rodney Young. Essential Oil Safety. 2002. Second ed., China, Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014.

All Essential Oil pages on The Badge Archive are also referred to the E.O.s: Trusted Sources article.

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