Smelling Chamomile Oil: Tissue, Inhaler or Steam Bowl?
A bowl of steam with a drop of oil feels like the classic way to enjoy an aroma, but it is the method we would steer you away from. If you want to breathe in chamomile oil, a single drop on a tissue or a personal inhaler gives you the scent without a bowl of near-boiling water in your lap.
Roman Chamomile Essential Oil
Our own Roman Chamomile Essential Oil, in sizes from 0.5 oz to bulk.
From $32.99
Shop Now →Why we skip the steam bowl
In November 2025 the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, with the British Burn Association, warned against steam inhalation from bowls of boiling water. Accidental spills cause serious scalds, often to the face, chest, abdomen and legs, some needing long-term treatment or reconstructive surgery, and there is little evidence that steam works for congestion. Its suggestion is to sit in a steamy bathroom with the shower running instead.
Two simpler ways to enjoy the scent
- A tissue or cotton pad. Put one drop on it, hold it a little way from your face and take a few slow breaths. You control the strength, nothing is heated and nothing can spill. Keep the oil off your skin, because it is undiluted, and keep the tissue away from children and pets.
- A personal inhaler. This is a small tube with an absorbent wick. We do not sell them, so look for one at an aromatherapy or craft supplier, or use a clean capped container with a cotton pad.
Where and when to try it
Pick a quiet moment and a spot with fresh air, like a window seat or a back step. Hold the tissue at chest height and bring it up slowly, noticing how the scent changes as it gets closer. Roman is sweet and apple-like right away, and German leans a little drier with that hay-like softness underneath. Most people find the first breath tells them everything, and the second and third are for enjoying it.
If you would like to compare the two, use two separate tissues, one for each oil, and label them. Keep them apart so the scents do not mingle. A white tissue shows the blue of the German oil, which is a nice little reveal.
How much
We know of no published inhalation dose for chamomile oil, so this is our own conservative reasoning. A drop is roughly 0.05 ml at the usual 20 drops per ml, and one drop already gives a clear scent. More oil makes a stronger scent, not a longer one. Start with one drop, take two or three breaths, and stop if you notice a headache, a cough, nose irritation or chest tightness. Wait before you try again.
The sweet, apple-like Roman oil and the hay-like German oil both have a character you can notice in a few breaths, so you rarely need more. If you are curious which suits you, our Roman vs German guide will help.
Putting it away
When you are done, throw the tissue out and cap the bottle straight away. A bottle left open on a table loses its sweetness quickly, and an open bottle is also a spill waiting to happen. Wash your hands if any oil touched them, and keep them away from your eyes until you have.
Who should check first
The American Lung Association's blog post on essential oils says that because they are concentrated, inhaling them directly can irritate the airways, can trigger symptoms in people with asthma and may worsen COPD, and that people with either condition should consult their healthcare professional first. The same applies if strong smells tend to bring on headaches, and our headaches post covers what has been studied. Chamomile is a daisy-family plant, so anyone allergic to ragweed or daisies should ask an allergist.
Ask a pediatrician before using any essential oil near an infant or young child. For pets, see our posts on cats and dogs and talk to your veterinarian. If you are pregnant, ask your OB-GYN or midwife.
What to avoid
- Do not add oil to a pot of boiling water.
- Do not swallow it. It is an external cosmetic oil.
- Do not put it in a humidifier tank. See our humidifier post.
If your goal is a scented room, our diffuser post is a better route, and the safety overview collects the cautions in one place. Our oils are not a substitute for care of any respiratory symptoms, so see a pharmacist or physician for those.
One drop on a tissue is all this takes, and it is a pleasant way to meet the oil.
Roman Chamomile Essential Oil
Roman Chamomile Essential Oil from our own shop, in sizes from 0.5 oz to bulk.
From $32.99
Shop Now →Sources & Further Reading
- Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and British Burn Association, 2025. Burns warning: risks of steam inhalation. newcastle-hospitals.nhs.uk
- American Lung Association. Essential oils: more harmful than helpful? lung.org
