17 Wonderful Uses of Chamomile Essential Oil

Chamomile essential oil is excellent for skin problems, digestive issues, PMS, anxiety, depression, poor circulation, insomnia and allergies. It is such a mild, soothing essential oil that it can usually be used undiluted.

This oil has antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-congestive and antidepressant properties. Use it topically, diffuse it for aromatherapy or take it internally to experience the full benefit of all of its many wonderful uses.

1. Treat Acne

Wash your face twice each day with a mild face wash then apply chamomile with a gauze square or cotton ball. You can use it just like any other astringent for acne. If you have chamomile sensitivity, mix 2 to 3 drops of chamomile with 2 to 3 drops of argan oil and apply that to your face after washing.

The argan oil actually contains vitamins A and E, which are very conducive to healing. It is a great, light moisturizing oil that is not greasy and absorbs quickly. You can also add some chamomile EO to your face wash. Use a liquid face wash, squirt or pour about a tablespoon of the face wash into a small bowl and mix in about 5 drops of chamomile EO.

2. Treat Eczema, Dermatitis, Rashes and Itchy Skin

Get relief for your itchy, irritated skin, sunburn, shingles, allergic dermatitis or eczema and your baby’s diaper rash. You can apply straight chamomile essential oil or mix it with a carrier oil like coconut, argan or jojoba oil. Coconut oil has some great healing properties of its own that make it especially useful for a dry, itchy rash.

For diaper rash, dilute the chamomile oil at a rate of 2 drops per teaspoon of carrier oil. Apply it up to 5 times each day. Boost the healing ability of chamomile EO by blending it with tea tree oil. You can use this essential oil blend for any skin irritation but it is especially good for blistered irritations.

Mix 2 drops of chamomile EO and 2 drops of tea tree EO together or, if you like, you can mix them into about a teaspoon of carrier oil. If you use coconut oil, just be aware that it tends to break down the elastic in underwear and bras.

*Do not use chamomile essential oil while pregnant or nursing.*

3. Prevent Infection

Use chamomile EO to keep wounds from getting infected. Put 2 to 3 drops on a gauze square or cotton ball and gently dab it on the wound. Wash the wound gently with a mild soap, first. You can mix 2 to 3 drops of chamomile oil with 1/4 teaspoon of coconut oil and apply that, if you have a sensitivity to chamomile.

4. Calm Allergies

Put a few drops in your diffuser and diffuse the chamomile oil throughout your home at the start of allergy season. Its antioxidant, decongestant and antimicrobial properties will reduce your body’s excessive production of mucus and soothe allergic dermatitis. It is good for seasonal allergies and food allergies. If you run the diffuser for 45 to 60 minutes 3 to 4 times a day, it will give you a steady supply of allergy-reducing aromatherapy.

You can also enjoy this benefit by rubbing chamomile essential oil into your feet. You can use straight chamomile essential oil or mix a few drops into a carrier oil like argan or jojoba. Massage it into the bottoms of the feet at night before bed and in the morning when you get up.

*Place a drop of chamomile essential oil on an inconspicuous area of skin and wait for a few hours to make sure you aren’t sensitive to it.*

5. Relieve Muscle Cramps

Mix a few drops of chamomile essential oil into a teaspoon of coconut oil and massage crampy, tense muscles. The oil will calm muscle spasms, providing soothing relief. Chamomile is such a mild oil that you can massage your muscles with it 3 or 4 times a day.

6. Improve Circulation

Use chamomile EO to increase circulation. In addition to more efficient delivery of needed oxygen to your muscles and organs, increased circulation will facilitate the removal of toxins from your system. The chamomile oil is especially helpful with the removal of uric acid.

7. Relieve Arthritis Pain and Inflammation

Make a soothing, anti-inflammatory rub to reduce the pain and inflammation of arthritis. Mix 4 to 5 drops of chamomile EO into 1 teaspoon of a carrier oil like coconut, argan or jojoba and massage it into sore, swollen joints. You can use straight chamomile essential oil but it spreads more evenly when mixed into a carrier oil. Argan oil is less greasy than coconut and is fast absorbing.

*German chamomile is more potent with stronger anti-inflammatory properties. It smells a little like sweet straw*

8. Alleviate Insomnia

Enjoy chamomile essential oil aromatherapy right before you go to bed to get a restful night’s sleep. Simply put 2 to 3 drops in your diffuser about 1 hour before you plan to go to bed. Run the diffuser for 45 to 60 minutes then turn it off when you go to bed. It will relax you so that you can fall asleep quickly. You can also put a couple drops on your fingers and rub the oil into your temples for fast relaxation.

9. Relieve Anxiety and Depression

Diffuse chamomile essential oil several times a day for anxiety- and depression-relieving aromatherapy. Use 5 drops in your diffuser and run it for 45 to 60 minutes each time. You really shouldn’t diffuse any essential oil into an enclosed area for any longer than that. If the weather allows, open a window to let some fresh air in after 60 minutes. You can make an extra effective mood-enhancing blend by adding equal amounts of lavender EO and chamomile EO.

Another great blend that has been scientifically proven to relieve anxiety contains lavender, chamomile and neroli oil. Mix 12 drops of lavender oil, 4 drops of chamomile oil and 1 drop of neroli oil together. Put 2 drops of the mixture into your diffuser and run it for about 30 minutes. A cup of chamomile tea will also help with anxiety and depression.

*Make sure you get food grade chamomile essential oil for ingestion and therapeutic grade for topical applications or aromatherapy.*

10. Get Relief from PMS

Practice chamomile EO aromatherapy for relief from mood swings, depression, cramps, headaches, body aches and back pain caused by PMS. Put a few drops in your diffuser and enjoy it for 45 to 60 minutes several times a day. You can also mix 2 to 3 drops of chamomile EO with 2 to 3 drops of a carrier oil and massage it into your abdomen and lower back for fast relief. Argan oil works really well for this and absorbs very quickly.

11. Relieve Digestive Disorders

Use chamomile EO for relief of acid reflux, general indigestion, gas, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and leaky gut. It calms the stomach and relaxes your muscles to facilitate healthy digestion. Put 2 to 4 drops of chamomile oil on the palm of your hand, rub your hands together to warm the oil then rub it into your abdomen. You can use straight chamomile or mix it into a carrier oil. This EO is so mild, you can use it on children to calm digestive issues, diarrhea and colic as long as you dilute it with a carrier oil.

12. Reduce ADD/ADHD Symptoms

Use chamomile oil to relieve symptoms of ADD/ADHD in children. While it isn’t a cure, it has been scientifically proven to reduce symptoms. This oil has a long-standing reputation as a “kid calmer.” Put 2 to 3 drops in your diffuser and run it for 30 to 60 minutes several times a day for a wonderful, calming aromatherapy for your children and you. Another option that works really well for kids is to mix 1 to 2 drops of chamomile EO into about 1/2 teaspoon of coconut oil and rub it into your child’s temples, the bottom of his or her feet, the back of the neck, the wrists or the abdomen.

13. Protect Your Heart

Rub a few drops of chamomile essential oil into your chest to help keep your heart healthy. It will relax your heart and lower your blood pressure. Be very cautious if you tend to have low blood pressure, though. You don’t want to bring it down too low. This oil has actually been proven to lessen the likelihood of death due to coronary heart disease. Taking 2 to 4 drops under the tongue is good for this, too. Make sure you use food-grade chamomile if you are taking it internally. There is a difference in the processing of food grade and therapeutic grade oils.https://www.youtube.com/embed/WInsJa9pzZ0?rel=1&modestbranding=0&controls=1&showinfo=1&fs=1&wmode=transparent

*Roman chamomile is more soothing and better for sore muscles. It has a light apple fragrance.*

14. Fight Cancer

Reduce the likelihood of developing cancer and/or help fight cancer with chamomile essential oil. It has been proven to destroy the cancer cells from breast, ovarian, prostate and skin cancer without harming the normal cells. This amazing benefit was announced in 2007 after a clinical study conducted at Case Western Reserve University.

Further studies are required to determine exactly how much you should take and how, but, in the meantime, it can’t hurt to use it in aromatherapy, topical applications or under the tongue. Again, be sure to use food-grade chamomile EO if you are going to take it internally. You can apply the oil straight or mix it into a carrier oil and use it like a body lotion.

15. Fight Cavities and Freshen Breath

Use chamomile EO to brush your teeth and freshen your breath. Its natural antibacterial properties kill bad breath germs and clean your teeth. Mix together 2 tablespoons of coconut oil, 1 tablespoon of baking soda, 20 drops chamomile oil and 20 drops tea tree oil. This is a very effective “toothpaste” that soothes inflamed or bleeding gums while it fights tooth decay.

16. Relieve Pain from Toothaches and Canker Sores

Apply straight chamomile essential oil to painful teeth, canker sores and other wounds within the mouth. The oil soothes, reduces inflammation and kills bacteria to help speed up healing. Just put 1 to 2 drops of food-grade chamomile oil on your finger or a cotton swab and apply it directly to the bad tooth or sore. You can also put a few drops on a gauze pad, put it on the sore tooth and gently bite down and hold it for 5 to 10 minutes for longer exposure.

17. Reduce Mucous Membrane Inflammation

Gargle with food-grade chamomile essential oil to reduce inflammation and soothe the mucous membranes in your throat and mouth. Mix 10 drops of chamomile into 2 cups of tepid water. You can gargle with this as often as you like. Make a mouthwash blend with 5 drops of food-grade peppermint oil and 5 drops of chamomile oil to freshen your breath. Peppermint oil is also an expectorant and can help open up the sinuses.

Was this list helpful to you? I have enjoyed the relaxing benefits of chamomile tea for decades. When I found out how much more beneficial chamomile essential oil is, I was thrilled. It has been used medicinally for thousands of years and I am so glad its benefits are now being proven in clinical studies. I sure hope you will soon be utilizing this wonderful essential oil.

Please take a moment to leave a comment. Let me know if this list has been helpful and share your experience with chamomile essential oil. We can all learn from each other’s experiences.