• Roman Chamomile
  • Roman Chamomile

Roman Chamomile

  • Scientific Name
    Anthemis nobilis
  • Family
    Asteraceae
  • Origin
    Europeetc.

Plant description

Roman Chamomile, a perennial herb of the Asteraceae family, grows up to 30 cm tall. Unlike German Chamomile, its stems creep along the ground, and the fragrance emanates not only from the flowers but also from the stems and leaves. The petals are white, and the core is yellow. The term “Chamomile” is derived from the Greek words “chamai,” meaning “on the ground,” and “melon,” meaning “apple,” forming the phrase “apple of the ground.” This name reflects the aroma emitted by the flowers, stems, and leaves, resembling that of an apple, especially when stepped on or walked upon. Roman Chamomile is popular as a garden herb but prefers cooler environments and does not thrive in hot and humid places.

Essential oil composition

Roman Chamomile
  • Roman Chamomile

  • INCI
    Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
  • Parts of Plant Used
    Flower
  • Extraction Method
    Steam Distillation
  • Extraction Rate
    0.15 - 0.2% (flower)
  • Notes
    Middle
  • Aroma Family
    Floral

Roman Chamomile Essential Oil Properties & Uses

About 0.2% of Roman Chamomile essential oil is obtained through steam distillation from the flowers, resulting in a light yellowish color. Its primary constituents include isobutyl angelate and butyl angelate. The fragrance is sweet and soft, reminiscent of apples, with a subtle freshness. It exudes a delicate yet powerful aroma. Roman Chamomile blends seamlessly with citrus essential oils such as Green Mandarin and Bergamot, known for their invigorating and bittersweet scents, as well as Sandalwood, which offers a deep, woody aroma. Due to its relatively strong fragrance, it is advisable toadjust the amount of the fragrance to a smaller amount when blending.

Essential oil composition

Essential oil composition

※An example of one batch production is shown here.

  • iso-Butyl angelate 32.1%
  • 2-Methylbutyl angelate 16.0%
  • 2-Butenyl angelate 8.3%
  • Pinocarveol 5.2%
  • iso-Butyl-iso-butyrate 4.6%
  • iso-Amyl angelate 4.4%
  • Pinocarvone 3.8%
  • 2-Methylbutyl iso-butyrate 2.8%
  • α-Pinene 2.2%
  • Propyl angelate 1.4%
  • Other components 19.2%

Functions and Efficacies

α-Pinene

α-Pinene
  • IUPAC Name
    (+)-α-Pinene: (1R,5R)-2,6,6-trimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-2-ene
    (-)-α-Pinene: (1S,5S)-2,6,6-trimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-2-ene
  • Molecular Formula
    C10H16
  • Molecular Weight
    136.23 g/mol
  • CAS No.
    (+)-α-Pinene: 7785-70-8
    (-)-α-Pinene: 7785-26-4
  • Structure
    Bicyclic monoterpene

Functions and Efficacies of α-Pinene

in slico in vitro ex vivo in vivo
Non-clinical Clinical
Mice Rats Guinea Pigs Insects Rabbits Human
Stress Reduction
Anti-bacterial Effects
Anti-inflammatory Effects

Stress Reduction

A study reported that brain tumors in mice that inhaled the fragrance of α-pinene became smaller. However, no melanoma cell growth was observed with the addition of α-pinene, indicating a potential psychological effect .1)

Anti-bacterial Effects

A study reported that α-pinene had an inhibitory effect on the growth of blue staining fungi, both when exposed to gas and when added to the culture medium2)

Anti-inflammatory Effects

It is known that the addition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in RAW264.7 cells induces the production of nitric oxide (NO), a substance that causes inflammation. A study reported that the production of NO was suppressed by the addition of α-pinene.3)

  • 1)Kusuhara et al., Biomedical Research, 2012
  • 2)岡村、木材保存、
  • 3)Kwak et al., Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation, 2019

IFRA

Roman Chamomile:
No restrictions applied

※Only information for selected components are shown here.

References
Jennie Harding [Handbook of Essential Oil and Plant Oil] Tokyo-do Publishing, 2010.
Shinichiro Otsuki/Yukiko Ozaki [Scientific Name Etymology Dictionary of Herbs] Tokyo-do Publishing, 2009.
Jennie Harding [Illustrated Reference Book of Herbs] Sancho Publishing, 2012.
Freddy Ghozland/Xavier Fernandez [L’Herbier Parfume] Hara Publishing, 2013.
Kyohei Mikami [Comprehensive Guide to Essential Oils] Fragrance Journal, 2010.
Yuzuru Ogura [Dictionary of Plants] Tokyo-do Publishing, 1957.
Nobuo Ohashi [Dictionary of Medical Herbs] Tokyo-do Publishing, 2016.
Wanda Sellar [The directory of essential oils] Fragrance Journal, 1992.
Aroma Environment Association of Japan [AEAJ Aromatherapy Certification Official Textbook grade1&2] Sekaibunka, 1999.
Robert Tissearand [Essential Oil Safety] Fragrance Journal, 2018.
Ayako Berg [Aromatherapy Essential Oil Dictionary] Seibido Shuppan, 2022.
Azusa Annells [Enjoying Fragrance: An Illustrated Book of Aromas with Characteristics]Natsumesha CO.,LTD., 2023
(All written in or translated to Japanese.)
Supervisor
Yamamoto Perfumery co., ltd.