Roman chamomile
StarChamaemelum nobile
Synonyms: Matricaria parthenioides, Chamomilla nobilis, Chamaemelum nobile f. nudum, Chamaemelum nobile f. duplicatum, Chrysanthemum partheniodes, Chamaemelum nobile var. aureum, Anthemis nobilis var. multiplex, Ormenis nobilis var. discoidea, Ormenis nobilis subsp. aurea, Anthemis apiifolia, Chamaemelum nobile var. nudum, Anthemis parthenioides, Chamaemelum romanum, Marcelia aurea, Matricaria nobilis, Anthemis nobilis, Anthemis chamomilla-romana, Chamaemelum nobile var. discoideum, Chamaemelum nobile var. duplicatum, Anthemis santolinoides, Anacyclus nobilis, Anthemis nobilis var. discoidea, Anthemis nobilis var. aurea, Ormenis nobilis, Chamaemelum nobile f. discoideum, Dendranthema parthenioides
Western Herbalism Properties
Traditional Uses
Among introduced or naturalised stands, the Cherokee used Roman chamomile as a sedative, antiemetic, gastrointestinal aid, dermatological wash and reportedly as an abortifacient, while the Mahuna employed it as a gastrointestinal aid and a pediatric remedy (Hamel & Chiltoskey, 1975; Romero, 1954).
Gallery
Botanical Description
Chamaemelum nobile, Roman chamomile, is a low, mat-forming perennial herb of the daisy family (Asteraceae) with creeping, often rooting stems and ascending flowering shoots that lift the heads 20–30 cm above the ground. The bright green leaves are alternate, bipinnately or tripinnately divided into very fine, almost thread-like segments, giving the foliage a feathery appearance. Solitary daisy-like flowerheads 18–25 mm across appear from June to August, with a domed yellow disc of tubular florets surrounded by silvery-white ray florets; in cultivation a double-flowered form with all-white heads is widely grown. The whole plant releases a sweet, apple-like fragrance when crushed. Native to western Europe and northwest Africa, it grows wild on sandy commons, lawns and short turf, and is now widely cultivated and naturalised across Europe, North America and South America.
Active Constituents
Isobutyl angelate (and 2-methylbutyl / isoamyl angelate and tiglate esters)
Aliphatic ester (angelic/tiglic acid esters)Concentration: Dominant fraction of the flower essential oil (angelate + tiglate esters ~75–85% of the oil; isobutyl angelate alone ~25–38%)
These volatile esters give Roman chamomile oil its characteristic sweet, apple-like aroma and account for most of its calming, spasmolytic and mildly sedative reputation in aromatherapy. They are the principal odour-active components distinguishing Chamaemelum nobile oil from German chamomile.
Chamazulene
Sesquiterpene (azulene, formed from the proazulene matricin on distillation)Concentration: Minor in Roman chamomile (usually <1–3% of the essential oil; far lower than in German chamomile)
A blue-coloured artefact generated from matricin during steam distillation, credited with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. It is present only in small amounts in Chamaemelum nobile, so the oil is typically pale rather than deep blue.
Nobilin and related sesquiterpene lactones (3-epinobilin, 1,10-epoxynobilin)
Germacranolide/guaianolide sesquiterpene lactonesConcentration: Characteristic bitter principles of the flower heads (trace–low percent)
These intensely bitter lactones underlie the traditional use as a bitter digestive tonic and appetite stimulant. As with other Asteraceae sesquiterpene lactones they are also the main structures responsible for contact allergy and cross-sensitisation.
alpha-Bisabolol and bisabolol oxides A/B
Sesquiterpene alcohol/oxidesConcentration: Minor essential-oil components
Associated with anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and skin-soothing properties and often used to rationalise chamomile's topical wound- and skin-care applications.
Apigenin and apigenin-7-O-glucoside (apiin)
Flavone / flavone glycosideConcentration: Principal flavonoids of the flowers
Apigenin binds benzodiazepine (GABA-A) receptors in preclinical models and is a widely cited contributor to chamomile's anxiolytic and mild sedative effects, along with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.
trans-beta-Farnesene
Sesquiterpene hydrocarbonConcentration: Minor essential-oil component
A common terpene contributor to the aroma profile, reported to add to the anti-inflammatory character of the volatile fraction.
⚠ Drug Interactions
Warfarin and other coumarin/anticoagulant drugs
Chamomile species contain natural coumarin derivatives and case reports link chamomile products to raised INR. A pharmacodynamic additive effect on haemostasis is plausible, though controlled human data specific to Chamaemelum nobile are lacking.
Clinical note: Monitor INR/signs of bleeding if concentrated chamomile preparations are combined with warfarin or antiplatelet agents; occasional culinary tea use is unlikely to matter.
CNS depressants (benzodiazepines, sedative-hypnotics, opioids, alcohol)
Apigenin and related flavonoids interact with GABA-A/benzodiazepine binding sites in preclinical studies, so concurrent use could theoretically add to sedation and drowsiness.
Clinical note: Advise caution with driving/operating machinery if combining chamomile sedative preparations with other CNS depressants.
Preparation Methods
Infusion (herbal tea)
Parts: Flower heads
Pour ~150–200 mL just-boiled water over 1–4 g dried flower heads, cover (to retain volatile oil) and steep 5–10 minutes; taken up to three times daily as a digestive bitter and mild calmative. Covering the cup limits loss of the aromatic esters.
Essential oil / aromatherapy
Parts: Flower heads (steam-distilled)
The distilled oil is used diluted (typically ~1–3% in a carrier oil) for massage or by inhalation for stress and tension. Do not take the undiluted essential oil internally. Because Roman chamomile belongs to the Asteraceae/Compositae family, people allergic to ragweed, feverfew or related plants may develop contact dermatitis or, rarely, systemic allergic reactions.
Tincture / hydroalcoholic extract
Parts: Flower heads
A hydroalcoholic tincture of the flowers is used in small doses as a bitter carminative. Avoid concentrated preparations in pregnancy without professional advice and in those with known Asteraceae allergy.
Clinical Studies
Potent hypoglycaemic activity of the aqueous extract of Chamaemelum nobile in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats
Single oral administration of the aqueous aerial-part extract (20 mg/kg) lowered blood glucose in both normal and streptozotocin-diabetic rats (e.g. from 21.1 to 14.5 mmol/L in diabetic animals), and a 15-day regimen produced sustained reductions, supporting a traditional antidiabetic use. This is an animal study, not a human trial.
Historical Texts
Dioscorides, De Materia Medica
1st century CE (Greco-Roman)John Gerard, The Herball or Generall Historie of Plantes
1597 (Elizabethan England)Nicholas Culpeper, The English Physitian / Complete Herbal
1653 (17th-century England)References
- European Medicines Agency, Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC). Assessment report on Chamaemelum nobile (L.) All., flos . European Medicines Agency (EMA/HMPC) (2011) [DOI]
- Eddouks M, Lemhadri A, Zeggwagh NA, Michel JB. Potent hypoglycaemic activity of the aqueous extract of Chamaemelum nobile in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats . Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice (2005) [DOI]
- Various (comparative review). German and Roman Chamomile: Species-Specific Phytochemical Profiles, Bioactive Potential, and Relevance for Functional Foods and Nutraceutical Development . Nutrients (2026) [DOI]
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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