Chamomile is a flowering plant in the daisy (Asteraceae) family. Native to Europe and Western Asia, it’s now found around the world.
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Chamomile has been used as an herbal remedy since the time of Hippocrates, the father of medicine, in 500 BC.
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The list of conditions for which it’s been used is extensive. It includes fever, headaches, kidney, liver, and bladder problems, digestive upset, muscle spasms, anxiety, insomnia, skin irritations, bruises, gout, ulcers, rheumatic pain, hay fever, inflammation, hemorrhoids, colic, and menstrual disorders.
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In modern times, chamomile is mostly taken orally to help with insomnia, anxiety, and digestive upsets, though it’s also being investigated as a possible treatment for diabetes. It’s also used topically to quell skin conditions and to help with wound healing.