Chamomile Oil: Which Chamomile Is Which?

Chamomile is known worldwide to be a calming sleep aid, a remedy to ease an upset stomach, and for its wonderful anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmolytic properties. There are, however, many types of chamomile: Roman chamomile, Anthemis nobilis; German chamomile, Matricaria recutita; true Moroccan chamomile, Tanacetum annuum. Beyond these three basic types, German chamomile can also be called Hungarian or blue chamomile, while another species of chamomile called Moroccan is actually a different variety (Ormensis multicaulis) that is grown in Morocco. Ormensis multicaulis does not have the ink-blue color of the true Moroccan chamomile that is Tanacetum annuum, also called blue tansy. Each chamomile is a different variety, however they all have similar constituents as well as some likenesses in appearance.
Roman chamomile is mainly grown in England, and there are some areas in continental Europe and the United States that also distill the oil. In 1785, Carlo Allioni, an Italian botanist, placed what we know as Roman chamomile in the genus Chamaemelum, naming Anthemis nobilis as Chamaemelum nobile, thus furthering the confusion about chamomiles.
German chamomile is what most botanists and herbalists refer to as chamomile. German chamomile grows wild mostly in Germany, however what is known as blue or German chamomile has for the past 10 years or so been mainly distilled in Hungary, yet it retains the name German chamomile.
Moroccan chamomile is a member of the Tansy botanical family and is like German chamomile due to the fact that they both produce a deep, ink-blue color when in the form of an essential oil. Out of the two varieties, Moroccan chamomile has the highest levels of chamazulene; however there are some chamomiles that have the name Moroccan Chamomile that are not blue in color. They are appelled Moroccan chamomile because they are a variety of chamomile that is grown in Morocco. True Tanacetum annuum is blue and contains the highest levels of chamazulene; however, there is some concern with Tanacetum annum, also called blue tansy oil. Tansy oil has been purported to have some toxicity and should not be used directly on the skin. On the other hand, there are aromatherapists who rave about the wonderful effects of Tanacetum annuum. Research on Tanacetum annuum’s constituents and general actions is incomplete and there is not enough clinical data recorded to make any conclusions about safety or effectiveness.
Chamazulene is the constituent in both German and Moroccan chamomiles that makes them blue and gives them strong anti-inflammatory qualities. Chamazulene does not show up as a constituent of German Chamomile until the distillation process because chamazulene is bound with glycoside Matricine, which is a sugar molecule that becomes hydrolysed due to the pressure and heat of the steam distillation process of extracting the essential oil. The volatile azulenes become unbound and alpha-bisabolol and chamazulene are then freed and show as newly present constituents of chamomile oil.
German and Moroccan Chamomile are recognized for their anti-inflammatory properties and have been know to help cure and treat allergies, dermatitis, eczema, inflamed joints, muscles, neuralgia, skin rashes and sprains. German Chamomile is what is typically chosen to make chamomile tea and is an excellent natural anti-histamine for reactions such as hay fever, asthma and hives. Caveat emptor—if German chamomile is brown in color, it was over-heated during distillation and has lost the chamazulene-rich, blue color, diminishing its healing and anti-inflammatory properties.
Roman chamomile also possesses anti-inflammatory properties; however, it is better known for its analgesic and sedative properties. Roman chamomile is very mild and has shown to be safe when using it for children, especially children with nervous sleep patterns or insomnia. Other than the sedative properties in Roman chamomile, it is highly anti-spasmolytic. For example, Roman chamomile can stabilize severe asthma attacks until emergency treatment is available. Roman chamomile is also known for being useful in the treatment of anxiety, arthritis, anxious temperaments, muscular aches and pains, rheumatism, PMS and other menstrual conditions, stress, sleeplessness, and nervous tension.
With all of the differences of the chamomiles, they also share similarities. For example, some of the chamomiles are more effective for insomnia than other chamomiles, but they can all be used to treat insomnia. While Roman chamomile would be preferred for treatment of insomnia, all chamomiles have some effectiveness in the treatment of acne, allergies, baldness and hair care, boils, abscesses, blisters, cuts/sores, dermatitis, dry & sensitive skin, eczema, insect bites, irritated & inflamed skin, rashes, toothaches, teething pain, wounds, arthritis, rheumatism, sprains, strains, colic, flatulence, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, cystitis, dysmenorrheal, premenstrual tension/PMT, headache, insomnia, nervous tension, stress-related conditions, neuralgia, and sciatica.
To explore the benefits of Roman or German chamomile, or for more specific information on which chamomile is preferred for specific ailments, refer to our online therapeutic references or product profiles. Roman and German chamomile are gentle, non-sensitizing, non-irritant, and non-phototoxic essential oils. Each chemo-type has its benefits and applications. Chamomile has a sweet, herbaceous, sometimes fruity, scent. It is delicate, neutral and can be used in a diffuser, by placing a couple drops on a pillow, in the bath, or mixed into a non-scented massage oil or lotion to add a light, clean, and therapeutically-benefiting scent.