
areeya_ann's/Shutterstock.com
Roman Chamomile
image of flowers of Roman Chamomile
Common Name: Roman Chamomile
Latin Name: Chamaemelum nobile
Common Uses: analgesic, anti-anemic, anti-neuralgic, antiphlogistic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, bactericidal, carminative, cholagogue, cicatrizant, digestive, emmenagogue, febrifuge, hepatic, hypnotic, nerve sedative, stomachic, sudorific, tonic, vermifuge, vulnerary.
Chemical/Biochemical Ingredients: mainly esters of angelic and tiglic acids some pinene, farnesol, nerolidol, chamazulene, pinacarvone, cineol (Note: climate change has an effect on a plant’s chemical constituent, and you will see these changes from year to year).
Roman Chamomile is a small, sturdy plant with feathery leaves and captivating daisy-like flowers. Its fresh flowers are steam distilled and produce a delicate pale blue essential oil that turns yellow after a time. Its scent starts heavy and gradually turns to a soft floral-herbaceous aroma.
Its essential oil is significantly helpful with digestion, especially when there is an upset stomach, nausea, colic, indigestion, and dyspepsia (difficulty with digestion associated with pain, flatulence, indigestion and nausea). I have frequently used peppermint, roman chamomile and bergamot to treat colic in horses with favorable results. One morning, while feeding my horses, it was apparent that my horse, Pete, was experiencing colic. He was sweating and covered in shavings from rolling in his stall. I quickly called the vet. While I waited for her to arrive, I took him out of his stall, showed him my diluted bottles of Roman Chamomile and Peppermint and then brushed him. When the vet arrived, she said: “Where is the horse that is suffering from colic?” I laughed noticing how calm and comfortable Pete was and I said: “He is right here!” Colic is a serious condition for horses, so we still treated him for colic. I was concerned he would have a flare up after she left.
Other uses of Roman Chamomile are for treatment of headaches, insomnia, nervous tension and stress-related complaints. It has been noted to help with skin problems such as acne, allergies, boils, burns, cuts, dermatitis, eczema, insect bites, rashes, sensitive skin and wounds. The essential oil is beneficial for people who are short-tempered, self-involved, overly sensitive or rarely satisfied — recommended for impatient, disagreeable or tense children. I have had great results using this oil with animals that are moody, grumpy, have repressed emotion, short-tempered and anxious and impatient. Judy Lawless, author of books about essential oils, describes Roman Chamomile as “having a profound calming effect on the emotional level, so it is helpful for people who over think and worry a lot.” Roman Chamomile is a plant I would love to grow in my pastures.
How to Use: Via inhalation, dilute 2–6 drops in a 5 ml euro-dropper bottle of safflower oil. Present the diluted essential oil to the animal. If he chooses it by deeply inhaling or trying to lick the bottle, apply a drop to the tips of the ears, chest and feet. Show the oil to him 2–3 times a day. It is okay if he licks it off your hand.
Works Well With: lavender, frankincense, bergamot, peppermint, basil, vetiver//subhead//Caution: Non-toxic, non-irritant; It can cause dermatitis in some individuals.
Resource: FrogWorks, Inc.
In 1996, Frances Fitzgerald Cleveland founded her company, FrogWorks, Inc., which provides people and animals with high quality essential oil products and treatments. Visit www.frogworks.us or info@frogworks.us or call 877-973-8848.