Chamomile Oil, Green

German chamomile oil is the source of blue chamomile oil, the blueness of which is the result of azuline, which is formed by high heat in the stills. This new green chamomile oil is from the same species, but it is distilled at lower temperatures. This results in a chamomile oil that is high in matricine, as opposed to azuline, and a more complex spectrum of aromatic and therapeutic molecules that are otherwise destroyed by higher temperature distillation. The fragrance is reminiscent of the blue chamomile, but with more herbaceous sweetness. The word “Camomile” comes from the Greek word Chamaimelon, which means “earth apple.” This is a good description for the color and the daily need for this familiar scent. But the humble appearance of chamomile is deceiving: this important species has an elevated place in old European herbology, and is one of the earliest herbs mentioned in the English herbal tradition.

Distillation draws out and concentrates the prana (vital energy) and rasa (nutrient juices) of the chamomiles, giving us therapeutically valuable oils. From the Roman chamomile (Anthemis nobilis) comes a yellow oil with a rich fruity-sweet aroma; from the German chamomile (Matricaria chamomila) come a deep green oil with a leafy-herbaceous aroma. Cape Chamomile oil gets its exotic color from chamazulene, a cobalt blue molecule with powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Paradoxically, this cooling, soothing, anti-pitta compound appears in the oil during the distillation process as a result of heat.