Roman (English) chamomile essential oil 5ml

Roman chamomile essential oil - Anthemis nobilis

Roman (English) chamomile is a perennial, growing to a height of 30cm.

The essential oil is extracted by steam distillation from the flower heads, which are harvested when they are in full bloom in July and August.

The essential oil contains a molecule called apigenin, which produces an anxiety easing effect by reducing the activity of a substance called glutamate in the brain (Losi et al, 2004). Glutamate is a neural transmittor and works by ‘exciting’ neurons in the brain, so reducing the activity of glutamate has a calming effect.

The herb itself has a history of use stretching back to the Ancient Egyptian and Moorish Civilisations and it has certainly been grown in England for over a thousand years, being one of the Saxons nine sacred herbs – known as “Maythen”. It is often known as “English Chamomile”, being ideally suited to our climate and soils.

Animals have selected English (Roman) Chamomile to relieve problems caused by anxiety and nervousness - for instance, nervous tummies.

Properties: Roman chamomile is a soothing, relaxing oil, often selected by horses with an anxious temperament. Horses usually chose Roman chamomile to ease the presenting causes of stomach and skin conditions, rather than the symptoms of the conditions themselves.

The essential oil contains a molecule called apigenin, which produces an anxiety easing effect by reducing the activity of a substance called glutamate in the brain (Losi et al, 2004). Glutamate is a neural transmittor and works by 'exciting' neurons in the brain, so reducing the activity of glutamate has a calming effect.

Roman chamomile is known to have an antispasmodic effect and is a useful oil to offer when an animal is showing colicky symptoms - though veterinary opinion should always be sought if colic presents.

Roman chamomile is often inhaled when it is needed for anxiety or nervous conditions. By inhaling the essential oil, messages go straight to the limbic (emotional) centre of the horse's brain, producing a rapid anxiolytic effect.

Useful when horses are over-reactive, especially if they suffer diarrhoea when anxious or have itchy, irritable skin.

Principle constituents: esters, ketones, terpenes - alpha pinene, beta pinene, chamazulene.

Precautions: non-toxic and non-irritant.