Updated 29 January 2024
Botanical Characteristics
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Division: Magnoliophyta
- Class: Magnoliopsida
- Order: Asterales
- Family: Asteraceae
- Genus: Matricaria
- Part used: Flowering tops
- Country of origin: Northern Europe, Middle East
- Other name: Matricaria chamomilla
Precautions for use
Matricaria chamomilla essential oil is quite flexible.
It is not recommended for use by pregnant women because it mimics oestrogen.
It also has no toxicity and all other users can benefit from it.
There is no prescription route, but the oral route is often reserved for the therapist, while for the cutaneous route it is preferable to dilute the essential oil in a vegetable oil before application.
Other precautions
Cutaneous use:
- Matricaria chamomile essential oil may be photosensitising (if coumarins are present), so do not expose yourself to the sun after use.
- There is also a risk of sensitisation with prolonged use.
- Pregnant women may use a diluted skin application under medical supervision.
Diffusion:
- Do not diffuse this essential oil on its own. It must be diluted in a blend with other essential oils.
Allergenic components:
Matricaria chamomile essential oil may contain very small amounts of an allergenic biochemical component:
- limonene (≤0.5%)
Note: It is best to test the essential oil before use (two drops on the crease of the elbow for at least 24 hours to check for a reaction).
Authorised users
How to use
Risks of use
Oestrogen-likeProperties
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antispasmodic
- Healing
- Anti-infective (antiparasitic, antifungal, antibacterial)
- Carminative
- Carminative
- Hormonal
- Analgesic
- Antiallergic (antihistamine)
Indications
- Acne
- Eczema
- Pityriasis rosea
- Itching
- Couperose
- Varicose veins
- Infected wounds
- Psoriasis
- Aerophagia
- Flatulence
- Abdominal swelling
- Skin allergies
- Muscle pain
- Dyspepsia
- Difficult digestion
- Painful periods
- Amenorrhoea
- Respiratory allergies
- Sleep disturbances
- Insomnia
- Sprain
- Anxiety
Directions for use/usual dosage
- External use: anxiety, muscle and joint pain, skin problems, respiratory and skin allergies, insomnia, menstrual problems, digestive disorders, loss of appetite.
- For a gentle circular massage on the upper abdomen, 2 to 3 times a day, 2 ml of camomile essential oil, 5 ml of Ocimum basilicum var. basilicum (tropical basil) essential oil, 5 ml of Origanum majorana (marjoram) essential oil diluted in 50 ml of vegetable oil for stomach ulcers or digestive problems.
- As a gentle local massage on irritated skin (dermatitis, eczema, etc.): 1 ml of camomile essential oil in 1 tablespoon of Chilean rose hip or Calendula officinalis vegetable oil.
- As a localised massage on sunburn, in synergy with Lavandula latifolia essential oil and Pelargonium graveolens essential oil.
- As a sitz bath in synergy with Lavandula angustifolia essential oil and Santalum album (white sandalwood) essential oil.