German vs. Roman Chamomile: What’s the Difference?

Chamomile is one of those plants that most people know, but few people really understand. Often associated with bedtime tea and sleepy evenings, it’s actually one of the most useful herbs for calming irritation — whether that’s showing up in the skin, the nervous system, digestion, or the mind itself.

And while many people think Chamomile is just one plant, there are actually several varieties grown around the world. The two most commonly used in aromatherapy are German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) and Roman Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis).

They share some similarities, but they each feel very different in practice.

Chamomile Has Been Used for Centuries

Chamomile has a long history in traditional herbal medicine. The Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans all used it for calming the body, soothing the skin, settling digestion, and helping people rest.

Even now, Chamomile remains one of the first plants people reach for when life feels like too much.

Both German and Roman Chamomile are known for their calming qualities, but understanding the differences between them can help you choose the right one for what you actually need.

German Chamomile Essential Oil (Matricaria recutita)

German Chamomile is known for its deep blue colour, which develops naturally during distillation. Its aroma is warm, herbaceous, and slightly sweet.

This is the Chamomile I think of when things feel hot, reactive, irritated, or inflamed — physically or emotionally.

🌿 For when your nervous system feels fried.

German Chamomile has a grounding quality that feels deeply settling after stressful days, emotional overwhelm, or periods of overstimulation. It’s especially beautiful for sensitive skin, tension, or evenings where you can’t seem to fully relax.

I tend to reach for it in facial oils, baths, or blended into body oils after long days spent working, travelling, or staring at screens too long.

Helps with: emotional overwhelm, irritated skin, tension, overstimulation, winding down.

Roman Chamomile Essential Oil (Anthemis nobilis)

Roman Chamomile has a softer, sweeter aroma with subtle fruity notes that almost remind some people of apples.

Where German Chamomile feels grounding and deeply soothing, Roman Chamomile feels gentler and more emotional in nature.

🌿 For nights when you’re exhausted but still can’t shut your brain off.

Roman Chamomile is one of my favourite oils for bedtime because it softens mental tension without feeling heavy. It’s comforting in a very quiet way.

A few drops in a diffuser beside the bed or blended into an evening bath can completely change the tone of a night.

It’s also one of the gentlest essential oils, which is why it’s often used around children or during stressful seasons when everything feels a little more sensitive than usual.

Helps with: restlessness, emotional stress, bedtime routines, irritability, difficulty unwinding.

Which Chamomile Should You Choose?

If things feel physically inflamed, overstimulated, or reactive, German Chamomile is usually where I would start.

If you feel mentally busy, emotionally worn down, or like you can’t properly switch off at the end of the day, Roman Chamomile tends to be the better fit.

Truthfully, they complement each other beautifully.

Chamomile is one of those plants that reminds us that healing doesn’t always have to come through force. Sometimes the body responds best to gentleness. To quiet rituals. To creating small moments that tell the nervous system it’s safe to rest.

A warm bath.
A diffuser beside the bed.
A cup of tea before sleep.

Simple things — but often the things we need most.

Explore our collection of Chamomile essential oils and discover which one feels right for the season you’re in.