Chamomile Essential Oil: Anxiety, Sleep & Anti-Inflammatory Research

Chamaemelum nobile / Matricaria chamomilla

Chamomile comes in two primary forms for aromatherapy: Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile), prized for its sweet, apple-like aroma and strong calming properties, and German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), which is deep blue in color due to its high chamazulene content and is particularly valued for anti-inflammatory and skin applications. Both share a tradition of use in Western herbal medicine spanning over two thousand years.

The anxiolytic and sedative properties of chamomile have been investigated in multiple clinical trials. A landmark double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial published in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology found that chamomile extract supplementation (standardized to apigenin) significantly reduced Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) scores compared to placebo over eight weeks. Apigenin, a flavonoid present in chamomile, binds to benzodiazepine receptors in the brain — the same receptors targeted by anti-anxiety medications — providing a mechanistic explanation for its calming effects. For sleep, chamomile tea and chamomile inhalation studies have demonstrated statistically significant improvements in sleep quality, particularly sleep onset and nighttime waking.

German chamomile's chamazulene content (created during steam distillation from matricine) gives it potent anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties. Applied topically in diluted form (1–2% in a carrier), it is a traditional remedy for eczema, rosacea, and minor skin irritation, with several studies confirming its ability to inhibit COX-1 and COX-2 inflammatory pathways. Chamomile is generally considered one of the safest essential oils but should be avoided by those with allergies to plants in the Asteraceae (daisy) family.