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Anyone looking for information about Roman chamomile has almost always ended up there by mistake: they were looking for chamomile, the kind used in herbal tea, and found a similar name with a price ten times higher. They are two different plants, and the confusion is understandable as well as costly.
Article written by Elisa Avalle, founder of LeLang Skin Care and dermocosmetics specialist. Cover image generated with the support of artificial intelligence.
Roman chamomile and common chamomile: two distinct plants
Common chamomile is Chamomilla recutita, also known as matricaria. Roman chamomile is Anthemis nobilis, now also classified as Chamaemelum nobile. They both belong to the Asteraceae family but are different genera, with different compositions and uses.
The difference is literally visible to the naked eye. The essential oil of common chamomile is deep blue, due to the chamazulene formed from its precursors during distillation. Roman chamomile oil is not: it is pale yellow because chamazulene is absent.
If you buy a "chamomile" essential oil and it isn't blue, you haven't been scammed: it is probably Roman chamomile. And it is right for it to cost more, because its distillation yield is among the lowest of all.
What Roman chamomile contains
Its volatile fraction is dominated by angelate esters, which account for a very high proportion of its composition and give it a sweet, fruity, almost apple-like fragrance. This is not a common profile among essential oils, which are usually dominated by terpenes and alcohols.
This composition shifts the focus: while common chamomile is chosen for its contribution to the appearance of redness, Roman chamomile is geared toward comfort and the aromatic aspect of the treatment.
How it is used and where to find it
Concentrations are very low: they account for fractions of a percentage point within the formula. It is never applied pure.
In our formulas, it is found in the body massage oil, where it is part of a blend of five essential oils, and in the purifying face mask. In both cases, the choice is linked to the ritual: these are products in which application time matters, and the aromatic component accompanies that time.
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The general rules for use apply here as well, and you can find them in the essential oils guide.
Frequently asked questions about Roman chamomile
Is it more effective than common chamomile?
It isn't more effective; it is different. If the goal is to improve the appearance of redness, common chamomile extract is the more targeted choice. Roman chamomile offers more in terms of comfort and the user experience.
Why does it cost so much?
Huge quantities of flower heads are needed to obtain just a few milliliters of essential oil. This is one of the reasons it appears in only a few formulas and always at minimal concentrations.
Should people allergic to Asteraceae avoid it?
Yes, as a precaution. Cross-reactions with ragweed, mugwort, and arnica have been documented and concern the entire family.
Can it be used on children?
It is considered one of the gentlest, but it is still an essential oil. On young children, any essential oil should be used only in products formulated for that age group.
Is chamomile herbal tea made from this species?
Almost always no: herbal tea is made from Chamomilla recutita. Roman chamomile has a more bitter taste and is used for other purposes in herbal medicine.
