Chamomile

Chamomile is the picture of a gentle remedy — soft daisy-like flowers that make a mild, apple-scented teaA warm drink made by steeping herbs in hot water. How to make a tea → trusted for generations to take the edge off a busy mind. Its calming reputation comes partly from a natural compound called apigenin, which appears to bind to the same calming spots in the brain that help us unwind and drift toward sleep.

Beyond rest, chamomile quietly soothes the digestionHow your body breaks food down into pieces small enough to use for energy. More →, easing the nervous, knotted stomach that often comes with stress. That double action — calming the mind and the gut at once — is why a warm cup feels like a small evening ritual of letting go.

It is very safe for most people. The main thing to know is that chamomile belongs to the daisy family, so the rare person who is allergic to ragweed, marigolds, or daisies should be cautious. Steeping it covered keeps the soothing oils in the cup instead of floating away as steam.