Anthemis nobilis L. flower heads, steam distilled, from the United Kingdom.

Aroma: Bright, crisp, sweet, apple-like, fruity, and herbaceous. The relaxing aroma of this essential oil, sometimes described as like 'apples and straw' is an exotic and rich scent. It is commonly accepted as the best smelling of the three Chamomiles. The scent grows on you! - TTF

History: This herb has been used for medicinal purposes and skin therapy for thousands of years, in particular in Europe.

Colour: Gray/Very Pale Blue

Consistency: Thin

Perfumery Note: Middle

Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium-Strong

Common Uses: Chamomile has a long tradition in herbal medicine. The flowers were used in many cures including a herbal tea to cure insomnia. During the Second World War, chamomile was also used as a disinfectant. The essential oil is useful in the treatment of aches and pains in muscles and joints. Treatment of symptoms of PMS with Chamomile is also beneficial especially when the symptoms are related to stress.

Possible Uses: Abscesses, allergies, arthritis, boils, colic, cuts, cystitis, dermatitis, dysmenorrhea, earache, flatulence, hair, headache, inflamed skin, insect bites, insomnia, nausea, neuralgia, PMS, rheumatism, sores, sprains, strains, stress, wounds. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 56-67.]

Constituents: High Ester Content, Pinocarvone, Pinene, Bisabolol, Farnesol, Pinocarveol, Cineole, Azulene, Beta-caryophyllene, Camphene, Myrcene [Shirley Price, The Aromatherapy Workbook (Hammersmith, London: Thorsons, 1993), 54-5.]

Cautions: No known toxicity. Use well diluted. High doses may trigger skin reactions in sensitive individuals.

Safety Information: May cause dermatitis in some. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 109.]

Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand does not indicate any special precautions when using this oil. [Robert Tisserand, Essential Oil Safety (United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone, 1995), 204.]

Photo thanks to Josep Gesti, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons