Chamomile Oil
Roman and German chamomile oil are two different plants. What small aromatherapy trials found, why daisy-family allergy matters, and why the oil is never swallowed.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Safety first. Natural products can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read essential oil safety before you use anything on this page.
Safety first. Chamomile belongs to the daisy family, and NCCIH says people allergic to related plants such as ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds or daisies are more likely to react to chamomile. [1] NCCIH's fact sheet is about the herb, not the distilled oil, so it shows the type of reaction to watch for rather than how common it is with the oil. Essential oils are not for swallowing: one poison-centre review of young children found that oils such as camphorated and eucalyptus oil, if ingested, can be harmful and even life-threatening. [2] If anyone swallows an essential oil, or has trouble breathing or a seizure, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 (US), or 911 for collapse, seizure or trouble breathing. See Essential oil safety.
Two plants, one common name
"Chamomile oil" can mean two different oils. NCCIH describes two types of chamomile, German and Roman. [1] Roman chamomile is Chamaemelum nobile (L.) All., also written Anthemis nobilis. [3] [4] German chamomile is Matricaria chamomilla L. (also called Chamomilla recutita). [5] [1] Both are in the daisy family (Asteraceae, also called Compositae). [6] The essential oil is made from the flowers; for German chamomile one analysis described it as a flower oil. [7] Many trials just say "chamomile oil" without naming the species, so a result cannot always be matched to one plant. See Roman vs German chamomile oil for a side-by-side look.Traditional use and what it does not tell us
The sources we read describe chamomile flower preparations, not the distilled oil. A review of chamomile in traditional medicine says preparations are commonly used for ailments such as hay fever, inflammation, muscle spasms, menstrual disorders and insomnia, and that chamomile oils are used extensively in cosmetics and aromatherapy. [6] That is traditional use of the plant, labelled as such here, and it is not proof the oil works for those problems. Proper evidence not found for a documented traditional use of the distilled oil specifically (searched: PubMed, NCCIH, EMA).What research shows
Most human studies are small trials of inhaled oil, usually in hospital settings, measuring self-reported anxiety or pain. Smell is hard to blind, and a 2025 meta-analysis of inhaled aromatherapy for insomnia flagged lack of blinding and differences between studies. [8]| Question | What the source found | Strength of evidence | Form and people studied |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pain after cesarean birth | A meta-analysis of 17 studies (1,490 participants) found aromatherapy reduced post-cesarean pain, and chamomile oil was among the more effective subgroups. [9] | Promising but limited (mixed oils, short trials) | Inhaled oil, women after cesarean birth |
| Same pain, single trial | One drop of 5% chamomile oil versus a placebo drop, inhaled at set times, lowered pain scores. [10] | Promising but limited | Inhaled, 128 first-time mothers |
| Anxiety in heart patients | A double-blind trial in 154 patients found lower anxiety scores and blood pressure with 10% chamomile oil than with sesame oil placebo. [11] | Promising but limited | Inhaled over two nights |
| Anxiety and pain before emergency surgery | Both chamomile and damask rose groups reported less pain and anxiety than the control group. [12] | Promising but limited | Inhaled |
| Depression, anxiety and stress in older adults | Lavender and chamomile each outperformed distilled water on a self-rating scale. [13] | Promising but limited | Inhaled for 30 nights, 183 older adults |
| Anxiety and sleep in burns | A blended lavender and chamomile massage group did better than control, but massage alone also reduced anxiety. [14] | Insufficient evidence for the oil itself | Massage, quasi-experimental design |
| Symptoms in cancer care | In a trial of inhaled ginger, German chamomile and bergamot oils, the abstract reports significant results for ginger oil only. [15] | Insufficient evidence | Inhaled |
| Depression-like behavior | Inhaled Roman chamomile oil reduced depressive-like behavior in rats. [16] | Preclinical (animals) | Rats |
| Cancer cells | Chamomile oil slowed growth of one breast cancer cell line in a dish; the authors call for more cell and animal work. [17] | Preclinical (cells) | Cells in a dish |
The Cochrane review of massage with or without aromatherapy in people with cancer judged the evidence of very low quality. [18] Cells and animals do not show what happens in people, and nothing here shows chamomile oil treats or prevents any disease.
Forms and why they matter
NCCIH says it is hard to rate chamomile's usefulness for most conditions. [1] European regulators have assessed chamomile flower preparations such as teas and inhaled steam, which is a different product from the distilled oil. [19] [4] Results for tea or a supplement cannot be carried over to the oil. For the tea, see Chamomile tea; for the plant, Chamomile (herb).Uses studied and safety checks for Chamomile Oil (Roman and German)
Read the safety checks first. Each card says whether a finding comes from people or only from the lab, which way the oil was used (scent, on skin or swallowed) and how strong the evidence is. A finding for one way of using an oil does not carry over to another.
Check before you use (5)
- Daisy-family allergy and skin reactions. NCCIH says people allergic to related plants such as ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds or daisies are more likely to react to chamomile. Bisabolol, a compound from German chamomile used in skin products, has been reported to cause contact dermatitis. NCCIH gives this for the herb, not the oil.
- Medicines: warfarin and birth control (herb information). NCCIH says interactions between chamomile and warfarin have been reported and that chamomile may reduce the effect of birth control pills. The sheet covers the herb; whether the oil behaves the same is not described in the sources we read.
- Estrogen-like effects (herb information). NCCIH says chamomile might act somewhat like estrogen and could worsen estrogen-sensitive conditions. Whether this applies to the inhaled oil is not described in the sources we read.
- Swallowing: poison center warnings. Poison centers warn that essential oils can be harmful if swallowed, especially by children. A Canadian poison-center review of young children found eucalyptus and camphorated oil ingestions with vomiting and, in the literature, lethargy, coma, seizures and one death; it did not concern chamomile oil. If anyone swallows an oil, call a poison center (US: 1-800-222-1222) or your local emergency number.
- Eyes, children and pets. NCCIH notes chamomile might cause eye irritation if used near the eyes. Poison Control notes children have thin skin and immature livers and says to keep oils out of sight and reach of children and pets. Chamomile-oil-specific data for children and pets were not found.
Chamomile oil scent and pain after cesarean birth (inhaled)
Preliminary or mixedA 2025 meta-analysis of 17 trials (1,490 participants) found aromatherapy reduced pain after cesarean birth, and chamomile oil was among the more effective subgroups. One trial in first-time mothers also reported lower pain with inhaled chamomile oil.
Supplements: Does not replace pain medicine; the trials tested the oil alongside usual hospital care.
Chamomile oil scent and anxiety (inhaled)
Preliminary or mixedA double-blind trial in 154 heart patients found lower anxiety scores with 10 percent chamomile oil than with a sesame oil placebo. Lavender and chamomile each beat distilled water for depression, anxiety and stress scores in 183 older adults, and anxiety and pain fell before emergency orthopedic surgery.
Supplements: Promising but limited; results are for specific hospital or community groups.
Chamomile oil and sleep (inhaled or massage)
Not enough evidenceA 2025 meta-analysis of inhalation aromatherapy for insomnia, with mixed oils, flagged lack of blinding and differences between studies. Chamomile oil alone was not isolated in the sources we read.
Supplements: No good evidence for chamomile oil alone.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Not enough evidenceNCCIH says little is known about whether chamomile is safe in pregnancy or breastfeeding. A 1999 review said safety in pregnancy, childbirth and babies had not been clearly shown. The cesarean trials were run under hospital care.
Supplements: Ask a midwife or doctor.
Depression-like behavior in rats (animals only)
Lab or animal research onlyInhaled Roman chamomile oil reduced depressive-like behavior in rats, as did one of its components, alpha-pinene.
Supplements: Nothing here shows chamomile oil treats any disease.
Traditional use of the flowers (EMA, herb not oil)
Not enough evidenceThe EMA accepted traditional use of chamomile flower preparations (tea, steam inhalation, rinses) for minor stomach and gut complaints, colds, mouth irritation and minor skin problems, based on long use rather than trials.
Supplements: Traditional use of the flower is not proof the oil works.
Connected topics
Open a group to see how each topic connects and how strong the evidence is.
Health goals (1)
- Anxiety SupportPreliminary or mixed
Small trials of inhaled chamomile oil report lower self-rated anxiety in specific groups; short and hard to blind.
Body systems (3)
- Integumentary SystemDocumented risk
Daisy-family allergy and bisabolol contact dermatitis are documented (herb and compound sources).
- Pain & InflammationPreliminary or mixed
Pain scores fell after cesarean birth with inhaled chamomile oil in short trials.
- Stress & MoodPreliminary or mixed
Anxiety scores fell in several small inhaled trials.
Body parts (1)
- SkinDocumented risk
Contact allergy to chamomile compounds is documented.
Functional actions (1)
- Pain ReliefPreliminary or mixed
Reduced pain scores after cesarean birth in short trials; does not replace pain medicine.
Conditions & symptoms (2)
- AnxietyPreliminary or mixed
Small inhaled-oil trials report lower anxiety scores in specific groups.
- Contact DermatitisDocumented risk
Allergic contact dermatitis from bisabolol and daisy-family sensitivity is documented.
Frequently asked questions
Is Roman chamomile oil the same as German chamomile oil?
No. They come from different plants, Chamaemelum nobile and Matricaria chamomilla. [1] [3] [5]
Does chamomile oil help anxiety?
Small inhaled-oil trials report lower self-rated anxiety in specific groups, such as heart patients and people before surgery. [11] [12] The trials are short, small and hard to blind, so the evidence is promising but limited. [8]
Can I be allergic to chamomile oil if I react to ragweed or daisies?
NCCIH says people allergic to related plants are more likely to react to chamomile. [1] Ask a clinician before using it.
Is chamomile oil safe to swallow?
No advice to swallow essential oils is given here. Poison centers warn that ingested essential oils can be harmful, especially for children. [2] Call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 in the US.
Can chamomile oil replace pain medicine after surgery?
No. The cesarean trials tested the oil alongside usual hospital care. [24] Talk to the care team about pain relief.
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
Safety details
- Allergy and skin reactions: Compositae-sensitive people are routinely warned about teas and herbal remedies from this plant family. [20] Bisabolol, a compound isolated from German chamomile and added to many skin products, has been reported to cause contact dermatitis. [21] Ask a dermatologist or pharmacist about patch testing; see Patch testing.
- Eyes: NCCIH notes chamomile might cause eye irritation if used near the eyes. [1]
- Medicines: NCCIH reports interactions with warfarin and some drugs cleared by the liver, and suspects sedatives. [1] That sheet covers the herb. Whether the oil behaves the same is not described in the sources we read. See How interactions work and ask a pharmacist.
- Hormone-sensitive conditions: NCCIH says chamomile might have some estrogen-like effects. [1] Whether this applies to the inhaled oil is not described in the sources we read.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: NCCIH says little is known. [1] A 1999 review said safety in pregnancy, childbirth and babies had not been clearly shown. [22] The cesarean trials above were run under hospital care. See Essential oils in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Composition varies: chamazulene and bisabolol levels depend on genetics and growing conditions. [23] Quality notes are on Essential oil purity and adulteration.
A clinician or pharmacist decides what is right for a person, especially before surgery, which the surgical team should always hear about.
References
- Chamomile: Usefulness and Safety, NCCIH, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (US). Read 2026-10-23.
- Unintentional exposure of young children to camphor and eucalyptus oils, Paediatrics & Child Health 2001. Read 2026-10-23.
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Chamaemelum nobile, GBIF. Read 2026-10-23.
- Chamomillae romanae flos, herbal medicinal product, EMA, European Medicines Agency. Read 2026-10-23.
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Matricaria chamomilla, GBIF. Read 2026-10-23.
- Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with bright future, Molecular Medicine Reports 2010. Read 2026-10-23.
- Effect of Matricaria chamomilla L. flower essential oil on the growth and ultrastructure of Aspergillus niger van Tieghem, International Journal of Food Microbiology 2010. Read 2026-10-23.
- Inhalation aromatherapy for the treatment of comorbid insomnia: a systematic review and meta-analysis, Frontiers in Psychiatry 2025. Read 2026-10-23.
- Effects of aromatherapy on discomfort in mothers undergoing cesarean section: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice 2025. Read 2026-10-23.
- Effect of Chamomile Oil on Cesarean Section Pain in Primiparous Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial, Current Reviews in Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology 2021. Read 2026-10-23.
- Effects of aromatherapy with Matricaria chamomile essential oil on anxiety and hemodynamic indices in patients with acute coronary syndrome: a randomized controlled trial, BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies 2024. Read 2026-10-23.
- Comparison of the Effects of Aromatherapy With Damask Rose and Chamomile Essential Oil on Preoperative Pain and Anxiety in Emergency Orthopedic Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing 2024. Read 2026-10-23.
- The effects of Lavender and Chamomile essential oil inhalation aromatherapy on depression, anxiety and stress in older community-dwelling people: A randomized controlled trial, Explore 2022. Read 2026-10-23.
- The effect of aromatherapy massage with lavender and chamomile oil on anxiety and sleep quality of patients with burns, Burns 2020. Read 2026-10-23.
- Efficacy of Inhaled Essential Oil Use on Selected Symptoms Affecting Quality of Life in Patients With Cancer Receiving Infusion Therapies, Oncology Nursing Forum 2022. Read 2026-10-23.
- Inhalation of Roman chamomile essential oil attenuates depressive-like behaviors in Wistar Kyoto rats, Science China Life Sciences 2017. Read 2026-10-23.
- Chamomile Essential Oil: Chemical Constituents and Antitumor Activity in MDA-MB-231 Cells through PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway, Chemistry & Biodiversity 2023. Read 2026-10-23.
- Massage with or without aromatherapy for symptom relief in people with cancer, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2016. Read 2026-10-23.
- Matricariae flos, herbal medicinal product, EMA, European Medicines Agency. Read 2026-10-23.
- Systemic allergic dermatitis caused by sesquiterpene lactones, Contact Dermatitis 2017. Read 2026-10-23.
- Bisabolol, Dermatitis 2010. Read 2026-10-23.
- Possible health and safety problems in the use of novel plant essential oils and extracts in aromatherapy, Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health 1999. Read 2026-10-23.
- Increase of Chamazulene and α-Bisabolol Contents of the Essential Oil of German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) Using Salicylic Acid Treatments under Normal and Heat Stress Conditions, Foods 2016. Read 2026-10-23.
- Effect of chamomile aromatherapy with and without oxygen on pain of women in post cesarean section with spinal anesthesia: A randomized clinical trial, Heliyon 2023. Read 2026-10-23.