11 Surprising Benefits of Chamomile Essential Oil

by Meenakshi Nagdeve last updated -

The health benefits of chamomile essential oil can be attributed to its properties as an antispasmodic, antiseptic, antibiotic, antidepressant, antineuralgic, antiphlogistic, carminative, and cholagogic substance. Moreover, it may be a cicatrizant, emmenagogue, analgesic, febrifuge, hepatic, sedative, nervine, digestive, tonic, antispasmodic, bactericidal, sudorific, stomachic, anti-inflammatory, anti-infectious, vermifuge, and a vulnerary substance.

What is Chamomile Oil?

Chamomile oil is extracted from the flowers of the chamomile plant, which is very popular as a flowering plant. There are two types of chamomile, the Roman chamomile, which is scientifically known as Anthemis nobilis and the German chamomile, whose scientific name is Matricaria chamomilla. Although the essential oils extracted from both varieties are quite similar in some medicinal properties, their composition is different and they do possess certain specific qualities that are worth noting. [1] [2]

Roman essential chamomile oil may be composed of alpha pinene, beta pinene, camphene, caryophyllene, sabinene, myrcene, gamma-terpinene, pinocarvone, farsenol, cineole, propyl angelate, and butyl angelate. German chamomile oil, on the other hand, may be composed of azulene (also called chamazulene), alpha bisabolol, bisabolol oxide-A & B, and bisabolene oxide-A.

While Roman chamomile oil may be more calming and works as a better emmenagogue, German chamomile oil might be a very powerful anti-inflammatory agent due to the presence of a compound called azulene. Azulene is a nitrogenous compound which is responsible for giving the oil its characteristic deep blue color. There are several other medicinal properties of chamomile oil, and the properties given below include those of the Roman as well as the German variety, except where mentioned otherwise.

Health Benefits of Chamomile Essential Oil

You can find a surprising number of health benefits in essential oils; chamomile oil may be one of the best ways to improve your overall health. [3] [4]

May Remove Toxic Agents

As a sudorific, both varieties of chamomile oil may induce profuse perspiration, which might help remove toxins and agents that cause infections while simultaneously cooling down the body and effectively providing relief from fever, thus serving as a febrifuge.

May Prevent Infections

Both varieties may have very good antiseptic and antibiotic properties which do not let biotic infections develop, which arise due to bacteria and fungi. They may also eliminate infections that are already present. These may be good vermifuge agents as well, which kill all sorts of intestinal worms. If applied to the hair, it might kill lice and mites, keeping the hair and scalp free from infections and damage.

A bottle of chamomile or chamomile essential oil with fresh white chamomile flowers

Chamomile essential oil is a wonder ingredient to help soothe your complexion. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

May Relieve Depression

Both varieties may have been found to be very effective in fighting depression. They might help eliminate feelings of sadness, depression, disappointment, and sluggishness while inducing a sort of happy or charged feeling. Even smelling these oils can may help a lot in overcoming depression and bringing about a good mood.

May Reduce Anger

Roman chamomile may be effective in calming down annoyance, anger, and irritation, particularly in small children, while German chamomile might be effective on adults in curing inflammation, particularly when it is located in the digestive or urinary system. Both varieties may reduce blood pressure and curb the swelling of blood vessels as well.

May Improve Digestion

Being a stomachic, they may tone up the stomach and ensure its proper function. They might also promote the secretion of digestive juices into the stomach and facilitate digestion. Being hepatic, they may ensure a good liver health and the proper flow of bile from it. They might also be considered cholagogues, meaning that they may increase the secretion of hydrochloric acid, bile, and enzymes in the stomach, thereby promoting digestion.

May Treat Symptoms of Rheumatism

They may treat dysfunctions of the circulatory system, stimulate circulation and detoxify the blood from toxins like uric acid. Thus they can be helpful to treat ailments like rheumatism and arthritis, which are caused due to improper circulation and accumulation of uric acid. These abilities classify them as good antiphlogistics, agents which reduce swelling and edema.

May Aid In Skin Care

They may be very popular in the world of cosmetics, since they might diminish the scars, marks, and spots on the skin and on the face, making them a cicatrizant. They may also protect wounds, cuts, and bruises from becoming infected, therefore also serving as a vulnerary.

May Relieve Pain

They may have analgesic properties, which effectively reduce pain in the muscles and joints. They might also decrease the severity of headaches, sinuses, toothaches, and bone injuries. They may also be very effective in relieving the severe pain of neuralgia by constricting the blood vessels that surround the ninth cranial nerve and relieve the pressure.

May Remove Excess Gas

They might be very good at expelling gas from the intestines and stomach while also curbing additional gas formation. This may also help relax the body and lower blood pressure. What is even more important is that the effect of the oil may also eliminate the serious risks of excess gas, such as the trapping of gas in the windpipe, which can even be fatal.

May Boost The Nervous System

They may calm almost all nervous disturbances or hyper-reactions which might result in convulsions, spasms, nervousness, and loss of control over limbs. They might be nervine, meaning they may keep the nerves and the nervous system in a state of good health and proper functioning.

May Help Tone the Body

They may be a tonic in nature, meaning that they might help tone the skin, muscles, and internal organs.

An infographic on health benefits of chamomile essential oil

Chamomile essential oil helps you relieve stress. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Other Benefits

Chamomile essential oils are anti-allergenic, and they may help cure acne by removing toxins and cleaning sebaceous and eccrine glands through sweating. As a diuretic, they may clean up the urinary system and the kidneys by stimulating increased urination. In addition, they might also detoxify the blood and even increase strength. They can be helpful in curing viral infections like mumps or measles and can be used in mouthwashes as well, in order to keep away bad breath and eliminate oral infections. German chamomile oil is a vasodilator, so it may help reduce blood pressure by relaxing the constriction of vessels, thereby protecting heart health and reducing the chances of developing conditions like atherosclerosis. [5]

Word of Caution: There are no specific risks of using either of the oils that may have been discussed, except that it should be avoided if someone has a direct allergy to chamomile or to any other members of the ragweed family, to which it belongs. [6]

Blending: Chamomile Oil forms very pleasant blends with Bergamot, Clary Sage, Lavender, Jasmine, Geranium, Grapefruit, Tea Tree, Rose, Lemon, Lime, and Ylang-Ylang Oil.

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About the Author

Meenakshi Nagdeve, Co-Founder, Organic Facts is a health and wellness enthusiast and is responsible for managing it. She has completed the Nutrition And Healthy Living Cornell Certificate Program, Cornell University, US. She holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from IIM Bangalore and B. Tech in Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science from IIT Bombay. Prior to this, she worked for a few years in IT and Financial services. An ardent follower of naturopathy, she believes in healing with foods. In her free time, she loves to travel and taste different types of teas.

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