Roman Chamomile Essential Oil Uses and Benefits

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Roman ChamomileSince ancient times, the chamomile plant has been used for medicinal purposes. Today, it is a popular tea drink used by millions of people for its overall calming effect.

You may use it yourself to cure insomnia. For Roman chamomile essential oil, the daisy-like flower is steamed for its antispasmodic effects.

Roman chamomile oil benefits are produced by its high ester content, which has been used to treat fever, eczema, heartburn, anxiety, nervous system issues, and gout.
Stemming from the plant family Asteraceae, this plant can be found close to the ground with gray-colored leaves and the aroma of an apple. Roman chamomile essential oil offers a fresh and sweet fruity aroma. The herb itself has been used over time in cosmetics, relax muscles, induce sedation, relieve nausea, and suppress flatulence.

10 Health Benefits of Roman Chamomile Essential Oil

For more than 2,000 years, the herb has been used for cosmetic purposes such as shampoo, deodorant, and perfume. The Greeks used it for fevers and female health conditions. The Romans used it for flavoring, courage, fighting disease, and longevity. Early American settlers used it for pain, inflammation, digestion, and to treat allergies. Today, the Roman chamomile essential oil is used for an array of health issues, including prevention of some ailments. It should be noted that many of the healing properties of the herb are still under study. Talk to your doctor before adding the oil to your health regimen.

1. Insomnia

By inhaling the oil, the plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone levels that induce stress are lowered, allowing for relaxation. As demonstrated in a 2006 study with human participants, the effects of inhaling the oil promoted sleep with calmness and drowsiness among healthy volunteers.

2. Skin

Roman chamomile essential oil has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial components that promote healthy skin. A natural healer for skin conditions of eczema, ulcers, wounds, bruises, burns, and irritations, the oil’s uses are endless. Minor and major skin irritations such as chicken pox, poison ivy, diaper rash, cracked nipples, and eye and ear infections can be treated with this oil.

Depression and Brain Inflammation3. Anxiety and Depression

Widely used as a calming fragrance, this essential oil is said to promote relaxation and reduce anxiety. The scent reportedly triggers brain sensors to release a sense of calm and peacefulness.

It has been used with a combination of lavender ad neroli essential oils to successfully treat anxiety patients, as outlined in a 2013 study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

4. Digestion

As for centuries, Roman chamomile has been used with digestive issues such as flatulence, acid reflux, diarrhea, vomiting, leaky gut, and indigestion. The antispasmodic compound of anodyne reportedly helps our digestive system from start to finish.

5. Allergies

For both food and seasonal allergy issues, Roman chamomile essential oil may reduce symptoms of congestion, skin swelling, and skin irritations. Its antimicrobial and antioxidant components have been used for treating hay fever as well.

6. Premenstrual Syndrome

The antispasmodic properties of the oil are credited with relaxing the muscles to prevent cramping and aches and pains that accompany this condition. It could also help to fight depression by boosting your mood. Roman chamomile essential oil may also control hormones that cause acne, as suggested in a study involving lab rats.

Virtual image of human heart with cardiogram

7. Heart

To promote a healthy heart and protect from harmful substances, this oil contains flavonoids.

These proteins have high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that have been shown in some studies to reduce coronary heart disease mortality.

The oil may also help lower blood pressure.

8. Cancer

Preliminary research has shown skin, prostate, breast, and ovarian cancer cell growth may be inhibited with chamomile oil. Case Western Reserve University first reported in a 2007 study, the plant extracts caused little growth inhibitory effects on normal cells with reductions in cancer cells viability. By using chamomile, the cancer cells were destroyed without any harmful substance invading the normal cells.

9. Arthritis

Patients have been recommended to ease the pain of arthritis by adding oil directly to the affected joint or adding to a warm bath for an overall body treatment. Anti-inflammatory properties allow for a healing topical effect.

10. Childhood Illness

Whether for fever, upset stomach, earache, or fussiness, Roman chamomile essential oil has been used with some success in children. It has had promising results for those diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD. Studies have also shown it useful to treat colic in infants. Discuss appropriate doses with your child’s pediatrician.

How to Use Roman Chamomile Essential Oil

Whether it is used through inhalation, topical ointment, or taken internally, Roman chamomile essential oil directly affects the ailment and promotes good health. Available at pharmacies, health stores, and websites, the oil should be of 100% pure form and produced by a reputable company. The following uses are reported by Dr. Axe.

  • For anxiety and depression, inhale from the bottle or add five drops to an oil diffuser.
  • Improve digestion with two to four drops of the oil directly onto abdomen. To use for child ailments, mx a low dose with a carrier oil.
  • Promote sleep by inhalation, rubbing a couple of drops directly onto temple, or add to diffuse and place by bed.
  • Calmness can be achieved for fussy children with diffusing the oil or mixing with one or two drop of coconut oil and applying directly to the wrist, temples, stomach, back of neck or on bottom of feet of child.
  • Treat skin conditions, including aging signs, with direct application to affected area. You can dilute with a carrier oil for sensitive skin and areas.
  • Prevent heart issues by directly applying two to four drops of the oil onto chest, over the heart. You can also get the same effect by taking it orally, applying under the tongue.
  • Relieve nausea with drops placed directly onto the temple or by inhaling the oil directly. It can be diffused with peppermint, lavender, and ginger oil combination for a more effective treatment.

Roman Chamomile vs German Chamomile Essential Oil

Two members of the chamomile plant widely used today are the Roman chamomile and German chamomile. Both are found in the wild worldwide and both have incredible medicinal uses such as for pain, fever, flushing out toxins, promoting healthy skin, and calming nerves. The Roman and German chamomile have antibacterial, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and sedative properties; however, their chemical components are where they differ.

Roman Chamomile German Chamomile
Perennial that grows 12 inches tall with,Seed planted or by flowering head going to hairy stems with fine-cut leaves and one inch diameter flower. Seed planted or by flowering head going seed that grows 24 inches tall with hairless,stems and parse leaves with flowers spreading up to two inches in diameter.
Aroma of light apple. Aroma of sweet straw.
Distilled oil is clear to paleyellow. Distilled oil is dark blue.
Native to Middle East, Europe and East Africa. Native to Europe and northernAsia.
Cultivated in Argentina, England, France, Belgium, and United States. Cultivated in Hungary, Egypt, France, and Eastern Europe.

The Roman chamomile essential oil offers a better calming effect and directly targets sore muscles.
The German chamomile essential oil can be more potent as it contains more active ingredients. It also has a higher Azulene concentration, which may make it a more effective anti-inflammatory.

Roman Chamomile Essential Oils Precautions

While this essential oil has a range of benefits to aid many ailments, there are some people that should avoid taking it. Roman chamomile essential oil does hold properties of the herb, emmenagogue, which stimulates blood flow in the pelvic region.

If you are pregnant or are in the planning stages to become pregnant, you should not use any emmenagogue oils, including Roman chamomile. As there is not sufficient support for effects on breastfeeding women, it is also advised they refrain from using the oil.
Those with allergy sensitivity to ragweed, marigolds, daisies, or any other member of the Asteraceae plant family, should avoid the oil.

Roman chamomile essential oil has various properties to heal and help prevent many serious health issues. The plant it originates from has been used for centuries to treat digestive and nervous system concerns, as a pain reliever, fevers, and even skin conditions. Today, it can be used as an essential oil to help these health concerns as well as many more. It is considered safe enough to apply directly to skin, use in an oil diffuser, and even take it orally.


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Sources:
“Roman Chamomile,” Web MD; http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-752-roman%20chamomile.aspx?activeingredientid=752&activeingredientname=roman%20chamomile, last accessed February 7, 2017.
“Compare German vs Roman Chamomile Essential Oils,” Healing Scents; https://healingscents.net/blogs/learn/compare-german-blue-vs-roman-chamomile-essential-oils, last accessed February 7, 2017.
“What is the Difference Between Roman & German Chamomile?” SF Gate; http://homeguides.sfgate.com/difference-between-roman-german-chamomile-88593.html, last accessed February 7, 2017.