English Roman Chamomile Essential Oil — Anthemis nobilis | Grown & Distilled in Norfolk, England

Grown and distilled entirely in England — a rare and historically significant English essential oil for the discerning natural perfumer and aromatherapist.

English Roman Chamomile Essential Oil — One of the Saxons' Nine Sacred Herbs

Roman chamomile — Anthemis nobilis — has been grown in England for over a thousand years, so deeply woven into English herbal tradition that the Anglo-Saxons counted it among their nine sacred herbs, known then as "Maythen." Ideally suited to the English climate and soil, it has earned the name English Chamomile through centuries of cultivation in gardens and fields across the country. This is not an imported essential oil rebranded with an English name — it is genuinely grown, harvested, and steam distilled in England, on land in the Norfolk fens that has produced fine aromatic crops for generations.

A low, creeping perennial reaching around 30cm, with flower spikes rising to 45cm during the July and August flowering season, Roman chamomile is harvested when the flower heads are in full bloom and steam distilled while fresh. The oil, when freshly distilled, is a striking sky blue colour — caused by traces of chamazulene, a naturally occurring anti-inflammatory compound formed during the distillation process. This English origin material offers genuine provenance and quality rarely found in an essential oil that most buyers assume is imported.

Scent Profile

Sweet, warm, and softly fruity with a fresh, herbaceous, apple-like character — Roman chamomile is gentle and refined, with a distinctive bright, slightly green freshness balanced by a warm, honeyed, hay-like depth. Subtly floral and earthy with a faint sweet tea-like undertone, it is lighter, sweeter, and more fruity than German chamomile, entirely without the heavy, inky, herbaceous quality of its deep blue counterpart. Smooth, rounded, and beautifully approachable — a classic, comforting herbal scent with a distinctive warm, apple-blossom sweetness.

Aromatherapy & Perfumery Applications

Widely valued in aromatherapy for its soothing, calming properties and its ability to blend harmoniously with an exceptionally wide range of other oils — used extensively in skincare and cosmetic preparations for sensitive skin. In natural perfumery it is prized as a sweet, fruity, herbaceous accent that adds gentle, warm, apple-like softness and delicate complexity to compositions, bringing a soft, comforting atmosphere to diffuser blends and a distinctive gentle character to candle making and soap crafting.

Its genuinely English provenance and thousand-year cultivation history make it a compelling addition for perfumers and formulators seeking to build compositions around authentic British-grown botanicals.

Blending Suggestions

Blends beautifully with lavender, bergamot, rose, geranium, clary sage, neroli, sandalwood, cedarwood, ylang ylang, and citrus oils.

Technical Details

• Botanical Name: Anthemis nobilis L. (syn. Chamaemelum nobile)
• Common Names: Roman Chamomile / English Chamomile / Garden Chamomile / Maythen
• Botanical Family: Asteraceae (Daisy family)
• Origin: England (Norfolk fens)
• Plant Part: Flowering tops, harvested at full bloom in July and August
• Extraction Method: Steam distillation
• Classification: Middle note
• Appearance: Sky blue when freshly distilled — colour caused by naturally occurring chamazulene, may pale slightly with age and light exposure
• Odour Family: Sweet / Fruity / Apple-like / Herbaceous / Floral
• Natural: Yes — 100% pure natural essential oil, grown and distilled in England
• Note: Distinct from German/Blue Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) — a different species with a different chemical profile and scent character
• ⚠ Shipping Restriction: Due to the low flashpoint of this material, we are unable to ship outside the UK. UK orders only.

Packaging

Supplied in amber glass bottles with inbuilt dropper and tamper evident cap.

Safety Information

For external use only. Individuals with known allergies to plants in the Asteraceae (daisy) family should exercise caution. Always dilute with a suitable carrier oil before applying to skin. Not suitable for use on babies, children, pets or broken skin. Consult a qualified professional before use if pregnant or nursing. Perform a patch test before first use. Store in a cool, dark place to preserve freshness.

SDS and Certificate of Analysis available on request. Images are for display purposes only.