Chamomile oil benefits – what does the science say?

For starters, some chamomile essential oil is blue which comes from German chamomile.¹ That dainty white-and-yellow flower can produce a strikingly coloured oil that’s found its way into everything from aromatherapy to skincare. And now scientists are investigating it for some surprising reasons, too, from sleep and relaxation to discomfort and skin. Let's look at how much of chamomile’s calming reputation stands up to scrutiny.

There could be something behind chamomile’s sleepy-time reputation. In a recent randomised controlled trial, 80 young adults with insomnia either inhaled chamomile oil for 10 minutes a day for 15 days or continued with their usual routine.⁴ Those using chamomile oil reported improvements in sleep quality.

Promising? Yes. Proof that a sniff of chamomile will send everyone straight to sleep? Not quite. It was one relatively small study, so we need more high-quality research to understand how useful chamomile oil might really be good for sleep.

In one randomised controlled trial involving 183 older adults, participants inhaled either chamomile essential oil, lavender essential oil or distilled water for 30 nights. Both essential-oil groups reported improvements in helping with everyday stress and sense of calm compared with the control group.⁵

Other clinical research has explored chamomile aromatherapy in hospital settings, too. A 2026 review of 17 studies found promising results in feelings of discomfort and a sense of calm, although the researchers noted that more robust research is still needed.⁶ So, think interesting evidence, rather than a replacement for established treatments.

If your skin’s feeling a little less than happy, chamomile might sound like an appealing addition to your bathroom shelf. In a 2025 lab study comparing German and Roman chamomile essential oils, both showed antioxidant and soothing activity.⁷ Antioxidants are studied for their ability to help protect skin against oxidative stress – one of the processes involved in skin ageing.⁸

This could help explain why chamomile continues to pop up in skincare formulas, but there’s an important catch: these weren’t clinical trials testing chamomile oil on people’s skin.⁹ So, while the early science gives researchers plenty to explore, we can’t yet say chamomile essential oil will calm redness, tackle blemishes or treat inflammatory skin conditions.

Here’s one you might not expect: researchers have also looked at chamomile oil in relation to discomfort. In a randomised, double-blind clinical trial involving 128 women following caesarean sections, inhaling 5% chamomile oil was associated with lower discomfort scores compared with placebo.¹⁰ And it’s not the only study to show promising results – research in other hospital settings has also linked chamomile aromatherapy with lower reported discomfort scores overall.¹¹

Looking for more ingredient-led information? Take a look at how to use rosehip oil on your face and body or your complete guide to passionflower.

Pure essential oils should never be applied directly and undiluted to the scalp/skin or bath as it can lead to irritation, burns and skin damage. Please dilute properly, read warnings and follow instructions provided on the product label carefully before use.