Whether you're anywhere in Europe, Asia, North America, or even Australia, you can always enjoy a fresh cup of chamomile tea. Although German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) originates from Western Asia, Eastern and Southern Europe, its hardiness has allowed it to spread widely. (“It's called German chamomile because Germany became a major cultivator and supplier.)

German and Roman Chamomile differ in growth (upright annual vs. low perennial groundcover), flower structure (hollow cone vs. rounded), scent (earthy/apple vs. sweeter/fruity), and essential oil (blue/medicinal vs. clear/calming), though both offer similar relaxing benefits, with German being stronger for inflammation and Roman for digestion/sleep.

Chamomile benefits many people and their diverse ailments: It is used for sore throats or bleeding gums, gargling with chamomile solution is beneficial; for colds, flu-like infections, menstrual cramps, and stomach and intestinal problems, chamomile tea is soothing; for sinusitis, coughs, or a runny nose, inhalation or a steam bath with chamomile is helpful; externally, compresses and sitz baths provide relief from itching and skin inflammation. Oh yes, and chamomile is said to prevent leg fatigue in marathon runners.

Only people with a sensitivity to plants in the Asteraceae family, to which the plant belongs, are advised to avoid it.

For a soothing tea, take a tablespoon of dried German chamomile flowers, pour 150- 200ml of hot water just off the boil over them, let it steep, covered, for ten minutes, and then strain. Add a spoonful of honey for sweetness if you like.

Chamomile

· relaxant, drink a cup at night for insomnia, anxiety and stress.

· digestive remedy, take for irritable bowel syndrome, poor appetite and indigestion.

· excellent for children’s restlessness, fevers, teething.

· for headaches.