Oleum chamomillae

A thick, buttery, blue-green essential oil obtained from Matricariae flos, the flowers of the true chamomile (Chamomillae recutitia) by steam distillation, the officinal chamomile oil.

The essential chamomile oil Anthemis nobilis oil (INCI) is used in cosmetic preparations.

Chamomile oil initially has a deep blue color (due to the azulene it contains), but turns greenish to brownish when exposed to light. Chamomile oil has a slightly bitter taste.

Quality is defined in the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.).

HMPC monograph: traditional-use: Supportive for inflammations in the anal and genital area, mild, cramp-like gastrointestinal complaints, flatulence

The flavone glycosides in the flowers are particularly important for the spasmolytic effect. The oil extracts also have an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antifungal, invigorating and stimulating effect.

Ingredients: Flavone glycosides, azulene - chamazulene- (only in the case of the initially blue-coloured oil - decomposes under the influence of light) which are formed during steam distillation from the colourless matricin of a proazulene. Bisabolan derivatives (up to 50% alpha-bisabolol), farnesene and various polyins.

e.g. ^Kamillosan®, ^Kamillin® Robugen concentrate

Ingredients: about 20% azulene (chamazulene which is formed during steam distillation by hydrolytic cleavage from the proazulene matricin); furthermore, among others, the butyl, amyl and hexyl esters of isobutyric acid, angelic acid esters and methyl crotonic acid esters, in addition to anthemol.

1. Singh O et al. (2011) Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.): An overview. Pharmacogn Rev 5:82-95.
2. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/kamille.php
3. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-community-herbal-monograph-chamaemelum-nobile-l-all-flos_en.pdf

4. Blaschek W (2015) Wichtl tea drugs and phytopharmaceuticals. A handbook for practice. Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Munich. S 405-408