Is noble chamomile or Roman chamomile the same thing?

You've already heard about the benefits of Chamomile essential oil, but sometimes it's called Noble Chamomile, other times Roman Chamomile, and you find it a little confusing. Is it all the same? Do you really know what's behind these little flowers with their white petals? Are all chamomiles the same?

Find out why it's crucial to know the difference between chamomile essential oils, especially if you're looking to improve your sleep, reduce stress or even relieve a skin problem. Read on to find out what's real and what's not, and make the right choice for your needs.

The fascinating world of Chamomile

Chamomile is much more than just a flower with white petals and a yellow heart. It is the symbol of a generous nature, offering a multitude of benefits for our health and well-being. But when it comes to essential oils, not all chamomile is created equal - far from it!

In the vast world of aromatherapy, some essential oils have different names for the same product (we've already told you: this is the case for Chamomile Noble and Chamomile Roman essential oils), but a flower with the same common name, such as Chamomile, can sometimes give rise to several essential oils with very different virtues, depending on its origins or where it was grown.

In this article, we explore the fascinating world of chamomile essential oils. You'll discover their origins, their benefits and, above all, how to choose the best essential oil for your specific needs.

We'll also answer crucial questions such as:

● Which chamomile essential oil is most effective against stress?

● Which is best for restful sleep?

● And finally, how do the different varieties compare with each other?

So, prepare your cup of herbal tea (chamomile, of course, whose soothing and digestive virtues are well known) and make yourself comfortable. You're about to become a true Chamaemelum expert!

Roman chamomile: more than just a flower

What is Roman chamomile?

The origin of the word "chamomile" is Greek, formed from "khamai", meaning "on the ground", and "melon", meaning "apple". It was the naturalist writer Pliny the Elder (23-79 A.D.) who named the plant after its apple-like scent.

Its Latin name is Chamaemelum nobile. As "nobile" means "noble" in French, it's only natural that Roman chamomile essential oil should also be called Camomille noble. In the nomenclature, it is also referred to as Anthemis nobilis, Ormenis nobilis and Chamomilla nobilis.

Roman chamomile is a perennial plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. It is native to Europe and Western Asia, but its popularity has led to it being cultivated all over the world. Its small white flowers with yellow hearts are not only pretty, they're also a real "gold mine" for your health.

Used since ancient times for its medicinal properties, Roman chamomile has stood the test of time and culture, establishing itself as an essential plant in natural pharmacopoeia, in herbal teas, hydrolats and, for our purposes, essential oils.

The benefits of Roman Chamomile essential oil

Roman chamomile (Anthemis nobilis) essential oil is often associated with relaxation and well-being, but its benefits go far beyond that. Thanks to its high concentration of terpene esters (mainly isobutyl angelate, isobutyrate and isoamyl butyrate) and terpene ketones (pinocarvone), it has the following properties:

- anti-inflammatory +++

- antispasmodic +++

- analgesic +++

- pre-anesthetic +++

- central nervous system calming +++

- antiparasitic ++

Here are just some of the benefits you can expect from this versatile essential oil:

● Stress and anxiety relief: the compounds in Roman or Noble Chamomile(Anthemis nobilis) essential oil act on the nervous system to soothe it, helping to reduce stress and anxiety. Roman Chamomile essential oil relaxes, loosens and calms both physical and mental spasms.

● Relieves nervous shocks: it is particularly indicated for calming nervous attacks, nervous shocks.

● Sleep enhancement: Roman chamomile essential oil calms the central nervous system, acting as a gentle sedative that promotes sleep. It is even recognized for its pre-anesthetic properties.

● Pain relief : recommended for migraines or teething problems, for example.

● Digestive health: it helps relieve various digestive disorders, including indigestion, cramps, flatulence and aerophagia.

● Parasitic care: it can be used in cases of intestinal parasitosis. Roman Chamomile essential oil is also vermifuge (against pinworms, roundworms, lamblias, hookworms) and antifungal (candida, aspergillus).

● Skin care: thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, it is often used in skin care to treat conditions such as eczema or psoriasis.

Roman or noble chamomile(Anthemis nobilis) essential oil is therefore a great ally for your health and well-being. In the following sections, we'll detail the uses of this essential oil, so you can make an informed choice according to your needs.

Landema - Groupe Biolandes - Roman chamomile field

Applications and uses of Roman (or noble) Chamomile essential oil

Uses: the spectrum of applications

Roman chamomile (Anthemis nobilis) essential oil is a genuine natural first-aid kit. It has a wide range of applications in several fields:

● Health: used in aromatherapy to treat nervous, sleep, digestive and skin disorders, and to relieve pain.

● Cosmetics: incorporated into creams and lotions for its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties in general, and more specifically to relieve eczema or psoriasis.

● Food: used as an ingredient in certain recipes for its digestive benefits, for example in drinks or sorbets.

Precautions for use: navigate safely

Roman Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis) essential oil is considered very safe.

● Routes of application: you can apply it undiluted to the skin (but not to mucous membranes, as with all essential oils), or use it internally, with 3 to 5 drops diluted in a teaspoon of vegetable oil. In general, it should not be diffused, or only in very small doses, as its fragrance can be heady.

● Dosage: always follow the dosage instructions for the different application routes.

● Contraindications: None if you respect the recommended doses. This essential oil is suitable for children.

For more information on Precautions for use of essential oils, click here.

Landema - Groupe Biolandes - Annual tansy field

Roman chamomile essential oil and other chamomiles: a comparison

The three faces of chamomile

There are three main types of chamomile commonly used in essential oil form. They can be distinguished by their Latin name:

● Roman or noble chamomile(Anthemis nobilis),

● Blue Chamomile, better known as Annual Tansy(Tanacetum annuum),

● Matricaria or German chamomile(Matricaria recutita).

Each of the essential oils derived from these plants has its own characteristics and uses, which we detail in the following comparative table:

Comparative table of chamomile essential oils

Note: Efficacy levels are based on the properties described in the sources and are intended to provide general guidance. They do not replace professional medical advice.

Why is Roman Chamomile essential oil the most widely used?

Roman Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis) essential oil is often considered the "queen" of chamomiles due to its versatility and wealth of beneficial compounds. Whether you're looking to improve your sleep, soothe irritated skin, sleep better or calm your digestive system, Roman Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis) essential oil is often the wisest choice.

Answers to frequently asked questions

● What are the benefits of Roman chamomile essential oil ?

It is particularly effective for relieving stress, anxiety, nervous shock, difficult digestion and promoting quality sleep.

● Which chamomile for stress?

Roman chamomile (Anthemis nobilis) essential oil is often recommended for its ability to soothe the nervous system.

● Which chamomile for sleep?

Once again, Roman Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis) essential oil is your best ally thanks to its rich terpene esters and pinocarvone, which promote relaxation, unwinding and restful sleep.

● Which chamomile for allergies?

Blue Chamomile or Annual Tansy (Tanacetum annuum) essential oil is considered the benchmark for relieving allergic and inflammatory reactions, particularly in cases of asthma or eczema.

Conclusion: make the right choice of Chamomile essential oil

Chamomile is a multi-faceted plant, rich in benefits and varied applications. But as we've seen, not all chamomile is created equal, especially in essential oil form. Each variety has its own areas of application and its own precautions for use. Roman or noble chamomile (Anthemis nobilis) essential oil, in particular, stands out for its versatility and wealth of beneficial compounds.

So, how do you make the right choice? It all depends on your needs. If you're looking for a natural solution to sleep better, reduce stress or care for your skin, Roman or noble chamomile (Anthemis nobilis) essential oil is often the wisest choice.

Now that you have all this information, you can make an informed choice, and find the essential oil you need in Landema's online store.

Landema, based in the Landes region of France and a subsidiary of the family-owned Biolandes Group, specializes in online sales of professional-quality plant extracts direct from the manufacturer.

Sources: Ma Bible des huiles essentielles by Danièle Festy, Webinar "Améliorer la qualité du sommeil avec les huiles essentielles by Nathalia Menga, Manuel de formation en Aromathérapie scientifique by Stéphanie Plamondon