Chamomile

Hungarian chamomile from the salty meadows of the puszta is said to be among the world’s best – the country has long been a leading exporter.

An annual plant of the daisy family, 15–50 cm tall, with finely divided, thread-like leaves. The flower heads have white ray florets and a yellow, conically domed centre which – unlike in similar species – is hollow inside. The whole plant is strongly scented thanks to an essential oil containing blue chamazulene. Infusions of the flower heads are anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and calming, and chamomile is one of the most widely used medicinal herbs in the world.

Significance in the country

In Hungary chamomile grows wild in huge numbers on the salty soils of the Great Plain, and gathering it was an important occupation for villagers from the 19th century. For decades the Hungarian raw material, rich in essential oil, went to pharmacies and pharmaceutical factories all over Europe.

Where it grows

Above all on the salt meadows, pastures and roadsides of the Great Plain – in Hajdú-Bihar (Hortobágy), Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok, Békés, Csongrád-Csanád and Bács-Kiskun counties; less common elsewhere in the country.

More: Wikipedia (en) Wikipedia (pl)