Essential Oil Monographs
Essential Oil of Chamomile Roman
Figure 3: Chamomile Roman Chamaemelum nobile. Image by Dorene Petersen. Š 2005
Latin Name Chamaemelum nobile (L.) All. (formerly Anthemis nobilis (L.))
Family Asteraceae According to the British Pharmacopoeia, the cultivated double variety of C. nobile is the variety used for oil extraction. Do not confuse it with Blue or German chamomile Matricaria recutita (L.) or chamomile maroc Ormenis multicaulis Chamomile Roman and Blue chamomile can be easily distinguished in nature. Chamomile Roman is a perennial with scented foliage that smells extremely strong, somewhat like green Granny Smith apples. Blue chamomile is an annual and the foliage has no scent. Chamomile Roman has slightly hairy stems, while those of Blue chamomile are smooth. The flowers of Roman chamomile sit singly atop the stem, while those of Blue chamomile are on divided stems in a comb-like arrangement. Another distinct characteristic is the cone in the center of Blue chamomile which distinctly domes out, whereas chamomile Roman is flat. (Braun-Blanq. & Maire). Chamomile maroc should not technically be called chamomile. Botanically and chemically it is not related. It should not be considered a replacement for either C. nobile or M. recutita.
19 Master the Basics of Aromatherapy and the Poewr of Smell Š 2020 American College of Healthcare Sciences. All duplication prohibited.
