Etymology
Common names include wild chamomile, Hungarian chamomile and scented mayweed (and is distinct from the scentless mayweed Matricaria perforata). Chamomile blue refers to chamazulene, the purified, deep-blue essential oil derived using steam distillation, rather than the plant itself. Hungarian chamomile has a reputation (among herbalists) for being incorrectly prepared because it is dried at a temperature above the boiling point of the volatile components of the plant.
The word chamomile comes from the Greek χαμαίμηλον (chamaimēlon) meaning "earth-apple", which is derived from χαμαί (chamai) meaning "on the ground" and μήλον (mēlon) meaning "apple". It is so called because of the apple-like scent of the plant.
Read more about this topic: Matricaria Chamomilla
Famous quotes containing the word etymology:
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