Chamomile, German Essential Oil (Matricaria recutita)

Overview

Chamomile, German may also be referred to as Blue Chamomile. It is typically processed using steam distilled as a method for extracting oil from the flowers/buds.

Summary

German chamomile oil comes from the flowers of Matricaria recutita.

Although German Chamomile Essential Oil possesses numerous beneficial actions (see the section below), German Chamomile oil may be as a powerful anti-inflammatory for use in topical applications.

German Chamomile Essential Oil is a deep, dark blue hue due to the presence of the sesquiterpene chamazulene. During steam distillation of the essential oil, the natural matricin that is present in German Chamomile reacts to form the chamazulene that we find in the oil. As with Yarrow or Blue Tansy Essential Oil, the hue can sometimes be a deterrent when working with the oil. To minimize discoloration to clothing if it leaks in my luggage leave out the German Chamomile Essential Oil from my anti-inflammatory travel blend and instead substitute Roman Chamomile Oil. For room sprays and body mists where essential oil color can again be a consideration, use Roman Chamomile Oil. Use German Chamomile strictly for direct topical applications (i.e. wound care, inflamed skin, etc.).

Chamomile, German Essential Oil

Essential Facts

  • Aroma Description: German Chamomile Essential Oil smells sweet, fruity and herbaceous.
  • Common Name(s): Blue Chamomile
  • Botanical Family: Asteraceae
  • Chemical Family: Oxides, Sesquiterpenes
  • Major Compounds: Bisabolol, Farnesol, Azulene, Farnasene, Thujanol
  • Perfumery Note: Middle
  • Consistency: Medium
  • Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium
  • Color: Deep Blue
  • Indigenous Country: Bulgaria
  • Cultivation: Distiller is Certified Organic
  • Processing Methods: Steam Distilled
  • Part Typically Used: Flowers/Buds
  • Shelf Life: long time
  • Vegan Vegan
  • Not Pregnancy Safe Not recommended or safe if pregnant or nursing

Essential Details

Benefits & Uses

May be benefitial for addressing the following ailments:

Aches Skin : Sensitive

Therapeutic Benefits of Chamomile, German:

Analgesic Anti-allergenic Anti-anxiety Anti-bacterial Anti-fungal Anti-histamine Anti-inflammatory Anti-septic Anti-spasmodic Anti-viral Carminative Cicatrisant CNS sedative CNS tonic Cooling Digestive tonic Emmenagogic Nervine Sedative Tonic Wound healing

Other Uses for Chamomile, German:

Perhaps the best soothing essential oil you can buy. Excels at nourishing dry, itchy and otherwise compromised skin. Soothes and calms the mind.

Hair Care

Cautions & Safety

Cautions when using Chamomile, German:

Don't use German chamomile oil during pregnancy.

Tisserand and Young caution that a drug interaction may occur if using drugs metabolized by CYP2D6. Reading Tisserand and Young's full profile is recommended. [Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety (Second Edition. United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014), 243.] According to Julia Lawless, German Chamomile Oil may cause dermatitis in some. [Julia Lawless,The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 168.]

Safety Precautions for Chamomile, German:

Do not take any oils internally and do not apply undiluted essential oils, absolutes, CO2s or other concentrated essences onto the skin without advanced essential oil knowledge or consultation from a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. If you are pregnant, epileptic, have liver damage, have cancer, or have any other medical problem, use oils only under the proper guidance of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. Use extreme caution when using oils with children and be sure to first read the recommended dilution ratios for children. Consult a qualified aromatherapy practitioner before using oils with children, the elderly, if you have medical issues or are taking medications. For in-depth information on oil safety issues, read Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young.

Energetic, Spiritual, and Emotional Qualities

Energetics and Chakras Qualites of Chamomile, German:

5th Chakra - Speaking Truth

Articles

Chamomile, German Articles or Publications:

Chamomile, Cape Essential Oil
German Chamomile Essential Oil (Blue Chamomile)