German Chamomile

German chamomile is an annual of the daisy family, native to southern and eastern Europe and now found on every continent. Its smooth, branching, upright stems grow 15 to 60 centimetres tall, with finely divided, feathery leaves and small flower heads of white rays around a yellow centre, set on a hollow, swollen base; the flowers are less fragrant than the apple-scented Roman chamomile's. The word chamomile goes back to a Greek name meaning earth-apple. It is most often drunk as a tea. The Egyptians, Greeks and Romans used chamomile as medicine; the Anglo-Saxons called it maythe, and in northern Europe it was known as Balder's brow. In medieval England it was strewn on floors to keep pests down and sweeten the air. It was thought strongest when picked at Midsummer and was thrown on the Midsummer fire for protection and prosperity. Across much of Germany a chamomile wreath hung on Midsummer's Eve kept thunderstorms from the house, a sprig worn guarded against bewitchment, and small bunches hung from northern German ceilings were said to sway when a witch came in. Cunningham gives it to the Sun and to water and puts it in calming and sleep incenses and brews, uses it to attract money, and turns its sunny nature against curses and spells. Kynes drinks the tea before bed for dream work.