Chamomile

Chamaemelum nobile Chamomile is found throughout England, Wales and Ireland, but is less common in Scotland, on sandy commons, pastures and grassy roadsides. It flowers in June and July.

The true chamomile can be distinguished from the mayweeds and feverfews by its sweet scent, reminiscent of apples. From this it derives its generic name, literally ‘earth-apple’, from the Greek kamai, on the ground, and melon, apple. The Spaniards call the plant ‘manzanilla’, meaning ‘a little apple’, and they have also given this name to one of their lightest sherries which is flavoured with the plant. The specific name, nobilis, denotes the many healing virtues of the plant. The Egyptians believed that it cured ague and for this reason dedicated it to their gods.