chamomile or camomile [Gr.,=ground apple], name for various related plants of the family Asteraceae (aster family), especially the perennial Anthemis nobilis, the English, or Roman, chamomile, and the annual Matricaria chamomilla, the German, or wild, chamomile. Both are European herbs with similar uses. The former has an applelike aroma and is the chamomile most frequently grown for ornament (often as a ground cover) and for chamomile tea, made from the dried flower heads, which contain a volatile oil. The oil from the similar flowers of the wild chamomile was most often used medicinally, particularly as a tonic; today its chief use is as a hair rinse. Chamomile is classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Magnoliopsida, order Asterales, family Asteraceae.

Any of the more than 100 species of Eurasian herbs that make up the genus Anthemis, in the composite family; also, a similar plant in the genus Chamaemelum of the same family. Both genera have yellow or white ray flowers and yellow disk flowers. Several Anthemis species are cultivated as ornamentals, especially golden marguerite, or yellow chamomile (A. tinctoria). The strong-smelling mayweed (A. cotula) has been used in medicines and insecticides. Chamomile tea, used as a tonic and an antiseptic as well as in herbal remedies, is made from C. nobile, or A. nobilis.

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The name Chamomile or Camomile (from Greek χαμαίμηλον - chamaimēlon) means "earth-apple", from χαμαί (chamai) "on the ground" + μήλον (mēlon) "apple", because of the applelike scent of the plant. It can refer to any of several distinct species in the sunflower family (Asteraceae): The Chamomile flower is most often consumed in the form of a bitter herb tea infusion. Taken internally, the infusion's effects include calming of the digestive tract, and easing of the spasms of irritable bowel syndrome, nocturnal cramps and period pains. It's a relaxant and sedative, so it is often taken against insomnia or anxiety. The infusion can be used externally to reduce minor skin irritation because of its mild antiseptic effect and it lightens the hair. Ingestion of the dried flowers has an emetic effect. See Matricaria recutita for more complete details.

• German Chamomile: Matricaria recutita (syn. M. chamomilla), commonly used in chamomile tea; also known as Blue Chamomile due to its high azulene content
• Roman Chamomile: Anthemis nobilis (syn Chamaemelum nobile) the "lawn" chamomile.
• and to some extent other Anthemis species, such as:
• Corn Chamomile or Scentless Chamomile: Anthemis arvensis
• Stinking Chamomile or Dog-fennel: Anthemis cotula
• Yellow Chamomile or Golden Marguerite: Anthemis tinctoria
• Moroccan Chamomile: Ormenis multicaulis
• Cape Chamomile: Eriocephalus punctulatus
• Wild Chamomile or Pineapple weed: Matricaria discoideaOther uses, some of which use different spelling of the word Chamomile
• The Camomile Lawn is a 1984 novel by Mary Wesley and a 1992 television adaptation shown in the United Kingdom on Channel 4.

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Camomile flowers Image:Chamomile flowers.jpg|German Camomile Image:Chamomilla suaveolens kz.jpg|Wild Camomile Image:Anthemis tinctoria.JPG|Yellow camomile