Chamomile is an annual native of Europe and Western Asia in the daisy family, growing to 90-125 cm high with very hairy leaves and tubular yellow flowers, surrounded by white ligulets. The word ‘chamomile’ comes from the Greek word chamomaela or ground apple, referring to the fact that the plant grows low to the ground, and the fresh blooms have a pleasing apple-scent. In use for centuries, chamomile was a symbol of the omnipotence of the Egyptian god, Ra; to the Saxons it was one of nine sacred herbs; and in Europe during the Middle Ages it was used as a strewing herb.