Oxeye Daisy
Common Names: Great Ox-eye, Moon Daisy, Field Daisy (I sometimes refer to the leaves as "Frog Feet")
Botanical Name: Chrysanthemum leucanthemum
Plant Family: Asteraceae (daisy family)
Parts used: Whole herb, flowers, leaves, root
Taste: Aromatic, bitter
Energetics: Bitter, tingling
Actions: Anti-bacterial, Anti-fungal, Anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, diuretic, hemostatic, tonic
Food uses:
The leaves and flowers are wonderful in salads or for a snack while hiking.
Medicinal uses:
· Decreases secretions internally, and dries up and disinfects when applied externally.
· Use it for bronchitis or asthma (that is moist, hypersecreting mucosa, and red inflamed membranes)
· “The flowers are balsamic and make a medicinal infusion for relieving chronic coughs and for bronchial problems. The herb is used in the treatment of whooping cough, asthma and nervous excitability.”-Nature’s Herbal
· Safe and effective for excess sweating, excess secretions, vaginal discharges, runny eyes, and overconcentrated acidic urine.
· A prepared douche can help clean and disinfect skin, scalp or even hair.
· Flowers contain pyrethrin that makes a useful insecticide, thus mixed with D.E. to repel fleas.
So, I personally love to eat the leaves of this yummy plant as it begins to grow in the Spring. However, the flowers make such a strong tea to help dry out any mucus if you have more symptoms pertaining to a moist, unproductive cough. One of my dear friends and mentor, Lindsay Huettman, introduced me to this trio combination to aid in fighting off a wet cold. You can alter the ratios depending on your symptoms. (For example, if you have more feverish symptoms, then use more Yarrow.)
Wham-Bam-No-Thank-You-Mam Tea:
1 part Oxeye Daisy flowers
1 part Pearly Everlasting flowers
1 part Yarrow flowers and leaves
Harvest plants in summer, dry harvested material, mix together and use as tea when sick or at the onset of a cold/flu.
