Chamomile: Common German (Matricaria recutita)
$1.00 - $5.60
German chamomile, the variety preferred for making tea, originates in southern and eastern Europe; it has a distinctive apple/pineapple like scent. Ancient authorities such as Hippocrates and Galen wrote of the medical benefits of chamomile, and it remains a popular and effective herbal remedy in modern times. As a tea or infusion, chamomile gives a feeling of relaxation and drowsiness, making it an excellent treatment for insomnia or anxiety. Because of the herb's antiseptic, anti-inflammatory properties, skin preparations including chamomile benefit conditions such as eczema, rashes, or insect bites. The dried flowers and leaves also make a sweet scented addition to sachets or potpourri.
Chamomile: Roman (Anthemis nobilis)
$1.00 - $5.60
The word “chamomile” comes from the Greek words for “earth apple,” referring to its pleasant scent reminiscent of apples. Though an ancient plant, Roman Chamomile received its name from a 19th century English botanist who discovered it growing wild in the Colosseum. Of the two most common types of chamomile, the Roman variety has a stronger and slightly more bitter flavor; most chamomile tea and herbal medicine contain the German type, while chamomile essential oil usually contains the Roman type. When distilled, the oil of Roman chamomile can be used topically to reduce swelling, infection, or inflammation. Because of its apple-like scent when trodden underfoot, this plant often acts as a ground cover or lawn substitute; traditional chamomile lawns can still be found in England, most notably at Buckingham Palace.