German vs Roman Chamomile Essential Oil: Differences, Uses and Safety

Quick answer: German chamomile essential oil comes from Matricaria chamomilla and is deep blue because of chamazulene, a compound that forms during steam distillation; it also contains alpha-bisabolol and is mainly used in skincare blends. Roman chamomile essential oil comes from Chamaemelum nobile, is pale yellow, has a sweet apple-like scent from its esters and is popular for calming, relaxing blends. Both belong to the daisy family, so people allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds or daisies should be cautious. Always dilute either oil for skin use and do not swallow essential oils.

“Chamomile” on an essential oil label can mean very different products. The two most common are German chamomile and Roman chamomile, which come from different plants, look nothing alike in the bottle and have different chemistry. A third oil, often sold as “Moroccan chamomile,” comes from yet another plant and is not considered a true chamomile.

Knowing the difference helps you choose the right oil, compare prices fairly and avoid surprises. For the basics of how essential oils are made and used safely, start with our essential oils guide.

Sources: Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety, 2nd edition (Churchill Livingstone, 2014); National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), “Chamomile” fact sheet; European Medicines Agency (EMA) Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products monographs on Matricaria flower and Roman chamomile flower; Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plants of the World Online (botanical names). Checked October 2026. General information, not medical advice.

The Two Plants Behind the Names

German chamomile

German chamomile is Matricaria chamomilla, also listed under the older synonym Matricaria recutita. It is an annual herb with small daisy-like flowers and a hollow, cone-shaped center. It is the chamomile most often used in herbal tea, and the European Medicines Agency has published a herbal monograph on Matricaria flower for traditional uses.

The plant grows widely across Europe and western Asia and is cultivated in many countries. The essential oil is steam distilled from the flower heads.

Roman chamomile

Roman chamomile is Chamaemelum nobile, formerly classified as Anthemis nobilis. It is a low-growing perennial with a creeping habit and has long been used as a fragrant lawn or ground cover in English gardens. The EMA has a separate monograph for Roman chamomile flower.

Its essential oil is also steam distilled from the flowers, but it yields a very different product.

Moroccan chamomile

Oils labeled “Moroccan chamomile” or “wild chamomile” usually come from Cladanthus mixtus (often listed as Ormenis mixta or Ormenis multicaulis). It is related to the chamomiles but has different chemistry and should not be used as a substitute for either German or Roman chamomile.

Why German Chamomile Oil Is Blue

German chamomile essential oil is famous for its inky blue color. That color comes from chamazulene, a compound that is not present in the living flower in its final form. The flowers contain a colorless precursor called matricin, which converts to chamazulene under the heat of steam distillation.

The color is a useful quality clue. Freshly distilled German chamomile oil is typically deep blue. Over time, and with exposure to air and light, chamazulene breaks down and the oil can shift toward green or brown. A dull, brownish German chamomile oil may be old or poorly stored.

Besides chamazulene, German chamomile oil contains alpha-bisabolol and bisabolol oxides. The exact balance varies by plant variety and growing region, which is why suppliers sometimes describe a “bisabolol oxide A type” or a “bisabolol type.” A reputable seller will provide a batch-specific gas chromatography (GC/MS) report showing the main constituents.

What Makes Roman Chamomile Different

Roman chamomile oil is pale yellow to nearly colorless, with only small amounts of chamazulene. Its chemistry is dominated by esters, mainly angelate and butyrate esters such as isobutyl angelate. Esters tend to give oils a soft, fruity aroma, and Roman chamomile is often described as smelling like sweet apples or hay.

Because of this aroma, Roman chamomile appears often in relaxation and sleep blends, perfumery and gentle skin preparations. Its scent is noticeably lighter and sweeter than the heavy, herbaceous smell of German chamomile.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	German chamomile	Roman chamomile
Botanical name	Matricaria chamomilla (M. recutita)	Chamaemelum nobile (Anthemis nobilis)
Plant type	Annual	Perennial, low-growing
Oil color	Deep blue (chamazulene)	Pale yellow to colorless
Key constituents	Chamazulene, alpha-bisabolol, bisabolol oxides	Esters such as isobutyl angelate
Aroma	Strong, herbaceous, slightly bitter	Sweet, fruity, apple-like
Typical use	Skincare blends	Relaxing blends, perfumery, gentle skincare
Can stain fabric?	Yes, the blue color can transfer	Much less likely

How Each Oil Is Commonly Used

Both chamomiles have long histories in traditional European herbal practice, and both are popular in aromatherapy today. Research on the essential oils themselves in humans is limited, so it is best to think of these as pleasant, traditionally valued oils rather than proven treatments.

German chamomile in skincare

German chamomile oil is mostly used in diluted skincare blends, such as facial oils, balms and creams for dry or sensitive-feeling skin. Alpha-bisabolol, one of its constituents, is also used on its own as an ingredient in cosmetics. Because of its strong color, a little German chamomile oil can tint a blend blue or green.

Roman chamomile for relaxation

Roman chamomile is a common choice for evening diffuser blends and bath blends, where its soft scent is valued. It pairs well with lavender, which also has a reputation for calming blends. Lavender is one of the most widely used essential oils and blends easily with both chamomiles.

Blending partners

Both chamomiles blend easily with:

• Lavender and other floral oils
• Citrus oils such as bergamot (look for bergaptene-free versions for skin use) and sweet orange
• Woody oils such as sandalwood or cedarwood
• Resinous oils such as frankincense

Chamomile oils are expensive because the flowers yield relatively little oil, so most people use them in small amounts within a blend.

Safety: The Daisy-Family Allergy Question

Both German and Roman chamomile belong to the Asteraceae family, which also includes ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds and daisies. The NCCIH notes that people who are allergic to these related plants may also react to chamomile. Allergic reactions to chamomile products, including skin rashes and, rarely, severe reactions, have been reported.

If you have hay fever triggered by ragweed or have reacted to daisy-family plants before, take extra care:

• Avoid chamomile oils entirely if you have had a strong reaction to related plants
• Otherwise, start with a low dilution and watch for redness, itching or a rash
• Stop immediately if your skin reacts and seek urgent help for swelling or breathing problems

General Safety and Dilution

Aromatherapy safety references, including Essential Oil Safety by Tisserand and Young, generally treat the chamomiles as gentler oils than strong irritants such as cinnamon bark or oregano. Gentler does not mean risk-free, and individual allergies remain the main concern. General precautions still apply:

• Dilute for skin use. Follow the percentages in our essential oil dilution chart, using lower dilutions for the face, for children and for older adults.
• Use a good carrier. Jojoba or fractionated coconut oil are common choices. See our carrier oil comparison for more.
• Do not swallow essential oils or add them to drinks.
• Store properly. Keep bottles tightly closed in a cool, dark place to slow oxidation and color loss.
• Keep away from children and pets. Store out of reach.

Pregnancy and medications

Talk to your doctor or midwife before using essential oils during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. The NCCIH notes that chamomile (as an herb) may interact with some medicines, including the anti-rejection drug cyclosporine and the blood thinner warfarin. Most of that concern relates to oral herbal products rather than diluted essential oils on skin, but anyone taking prescription medicines should check with a pharmacist before using chamomile products of any kind.

Chamomile tea vs chamomile oil

Chamomile tea and chamomile essential oil are very different. A cup of tea contains water-soluble compounds and only tiny amounts of volatile oil, while a bottle of essential oil is highly concentrated. The traditional safety record of chamomile tea does not apply to swallowing essential oil. For more on chamomile as a tea herb, see our guide to chamomile, peppermint and lemon balm.

Simple Ways to Use Chamomile Oils at Home

These ideas keep amounts small and dilutions conservative. A common rule of thumb in aromatherapy is that a 1 percent dilution is roughly 5 to 6 drops of essential oil per fluid ounce (about 30 ml) of carrier, though drop sizes vary between bottles.

Evening diffuser blend

Add a few drops of Roman chamomile and lavender to a diffuser, following the manufacturer’s instructions for water level. Run it for short sessions in a ventilated room rather than all night, and keep it away from pets. Our comparison of diffuser types explains how different models disperse oil.

Facial or body oil

For a simple body oil, mix German or Roman chamomile into a plain carrier at around 1 percent. Use a lower dilution for the face or for sensitive skin. Apply to a small area first and wait to see how your skin responds before using it more widely.

Bath blend

Essential oils do not dissolve in water, so never drip them straight into the tub. Mix a small amount of chamomile oil into a carrier oil or an unscented liquid soap first, then stir it into the bath water.

Roller bottle

A roller bottle makes it easy to apply small amounts to wrists or temples. Our step-by-step guide to making an essential oil roller blend covers bottle sizes and dilution math.

How to Buy Quality Chamomile Oil

Because both chamomiles are expensive, they are sometimes adulterated or sold as cheaper blends. Look for:

1. The full botanical name on the label, not just “chamomile”
2. Country of origin and distillation date or batch number
3. A GC/MS report for the batch you are buying
4. Realistic pricing. Very cheap German or Roman chamomile is a warning sign
5. Clear labeling of dilutions. Some sellers offer chamomile pre-diluted in jojoba (often labeled “3%” or “5%”), which is fine if clearly stated
6. Expected color. German chamomile should be blue; Roman should be pale

Watch for “blue” oils sold under other names. Blue tansy (Tanacetum annuum) also contains chamazulene and is blue, but it is a different plant with different chemistry. Labels that blur these names deserve extra scrutiny.

Which One Should You Choose?

• German chamomile suits diluted skincare blends, as long as you do not mind its strong herbal scent and blue color.
• Roman chamomile suits a sweet, soft aroma for relaxation, diffusing or perfume-style blends.

Skip both if you have a known allergy to ragweed or other daisy-family plants, or have reacted to chamomile products before.

Many aromatherapy users keep a small bottle of each, since they serve different purposes and the cost per drop makes them best used sparingly.

Storage and Shelf Life

Both chamomile oils last longer when stored with care:

• Use small, dark glass bottles with tight caps
• Keep them away from heat and sunlight
• Transfer to a smaller bottle once half used, to reduce air in the bottle
• Refrigeration can help extend freshness for oils used infrequently

Watch German chamomile’s color as a freshness indicator. A strong blue suggests a fresher oil, while a shift to green or brown points to aging.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between German and Roman chamomile essential oil?

German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) is deep blue due to chamazulene and contains alpha-bisabolol; it is mainly used in skincare blends. Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) is pale yellow, rich in esters and has a sweet, apple-like scent used in relaxing blends.

Why is German chamomile oil blue?

The flowers contain matricin, which converts to the blue compound chamazulene during steam distillation.

Is Roman or German chamomile better for sleep?

Roman chamomile is more commonly used in relaxing and sleep diffuser blends because of its soft, sweet aroma. Scientific evidence for either oil as a sleep aid is limited.

Can I use chamomile oil if I'm allergic to ragweed?

Use caution. Chamomile is in the same plant family as ragweed, and the NCCIH notes that people allergic to related plants may also react to chamomile. Ask your doctor before trying it.

Is Moroccan chamomile the same as Roman chamomile?

No. Moroccan chamomile usually comes from Cladanthus mixtus (Ormenis mixta), a different plant with different chemistry.