Roman Chamomile Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 3 min read| 4,682 found this helpful
Anthemis nobilis
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Roman Chamomile is confirmed toxic to cats, dogs, and horses per ASPCA data

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Toxic components include volatile oils, bisabolol, chamazulene, anthemic acid, and tannic acid

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Long-term exposure or consumption can lead to dangerous bleeding tendencies in affected animals

FAQ

Is Roman Chamomile toxic to Humans?

No specific human toxicity data on file; may cause contact dermatitis or mild allergic reactions in sensitive individuals (Low)

Is Roman Chamomile toxic to Cats?

Contact dermatitis, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, allergic reactions; long-term use may cause unusual bleeding or bruising (Moderate)

Is Roman Chamomile toxic to Dogs?

Contact dermatitis, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, allergic reactions; long-term use may cause unusual bleeding or bruising (Moderate)

Is Roman Chamomile toxic to Horses?

Contact dermatitis, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, allergic reactions; long-term use may cause unusual bleeding or bruising (Moderate)

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Toxicity Details

Humans
Low

No specific human toxicity data on file; may cause contact dermatitis or mild allergic reactions in sensitive individuals

Cats
Moderate

Contact dermatitis, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, allergic reactions; long-term use may cause unusual bleeding or bruising

Dogs
Moderate

Contact dermatitis, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, allergic reactions; long-term use may cause unusual bleeding or bruising

Horses
Moderate

Contact dermatitis, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, allergic reactions; long-term use may cause unusual bleeding or bruising

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsAll aerial plant parts (flowers, leaves, stems) and extracted essential oil products
Exposure RouteDirect skin contact, ingestion of raw plant material or chamomile-containing products, long-term oral or topical use of chamomile preparations
Toxic CompoundsVolatile oil; bisabolol; chamazulene; anthemic acid; tannic acid

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

  • • Remove all remaining plant material or chamomile product from the affected animal's mouth or skin immediately
  • • Rinse affected skin areas with cool, mild soapy water if contact dermatitis is observed
  • • Do not induce vomiting or administer home remedies unless explicitly instructed by a veterinarian

Contact Vet Immediately

  • • Your pet or horse has ingested any amount of Roman Chamomile or products containing it
  • • The animal exhibits symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, or visible allergic reactions after exposure
  • • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or lethargy is observed after repeated or long-term chamomile exposure

Prevention

  • • Keep Roman Chamomile plants, essential oils, and herbal products containing it out of reach of pets and horses
  • • Never administer chamomile supplements or topical products to cats, dogs, or horses without prior veterinary approval
  • • Clearly label all chamomile-containing household products to avoid accidental exposure to animals

Treatment & Prognosis

  • • Veterinary supportive care including fluid therapy and gastrointestinal protectants for ingestion cases
  • • Antihistamines and topical corticosteroids to manage allergic reactions and contact dermatitis
  • • Coagulation level monitoring and targeted bleeding management for cases of long-term exposure
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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameAnthemis nobilis
AliasesChamomile、Garden Chamomile、Ground Apple
Toxicity Grade
HumansLow
CatsModerate
DogsModerate
HorsesModerate
Target Organs
SkinGastrointestinal tractCoagulation systemImmune systemLiver
Mechanism of Action

• Volatile oils and organic acids irritate skin and gastrointestinal mucosa on contact or ingestion

• Tannic acid and other compounds interfere with normal coagulation pathways after repeated long-term exposure, leading to bleeding tendencies

• Allergenic components trigger hypersensitivity reactions in susceptible humans and animals

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Cattle: Low reported risk: grazing on large quantities may cause mild gastrointestinal upset and contact dermatitis, no severe toxicity cases documented
Sheep: Very low risk: sheep typically avoid the plant due to its strong scent, no confirmed severe poisoning cases reported
Rabbits: Moderate suspected risk: ingestion may cause gastrointestinal stasis and allergic reactions, long-term exposure carries bleeding risk
Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

German Chamomile Matricaria recutita
Both have small white daisy-like flowers and are sold medicinally as 'chamomile'; German Chamomile has a hollow receptacle, while Roman Chamomile has a solid, hairy receptacle
Feverfew Tanacetum parthenium
Same Asteraceae family, with similar small white daisy flowers; Feverfew has larger, sharply serrated leaves and is primarily used for migraine prevention
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Related Toxic Plants

Common Ragwort
Common Ragwort
Jacobaea vulgaris
Severe toxicity: causes irreversible, fatal liver damage in all grazing animals and humans if ingested in sufficient quantity
Common Tansy
Common Tansy
Tanacetum vulgare
High toxicity: triggers seizures, vomiting, and organ damage in humans and all domestic animals if ingested
Florist's Chrysanthemum
Florist's Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum × morifolium
Moderate toxicity: causes contact dermatitis, vomiting, and diarrhea in pets and sensitive humans

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Data Sources

This information is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice. If ingestion or poisoning is suspected, seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.

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