Daisy
Botanical name: Bellis perennis
Family: Daisy (Asteraceae)
Collectability: plentiful, common, widespread, weed
Main benefit
complaints of the respiratory tract, rheumatism and skin complaints
Use - overview
Features and Identification
Habitat
Type: grassy areas
Distribution: throughout northern hemisphere
Prefers: fertile soil, drained, sun
General
Growth type: herb
Cycle: perennial
Height: up to 15 cm
Other:
Leaf
Shape: long oval
Texture: downy
Arrangement: basal rosette
Edge: toothed
Flower
Diameter: 15 mm
Arrangement: solitary on leafless stalk
When: most of the year
Other:
Colour:
Type: grassy areas
Distribution: throughout northern hemisphere
Prefers: fertile soil, drained, sun
General
Growth type: herb
Cycle: perennial
Height: up to 15 cm
Other:
LeafShape: long oval
Texture: downy
Arrangement: basal rosette
Edge: toothed
FlowerDiameter: 15 mm
Arrangement: solitary on leafless stalk
When: most of the year
Other:
Colour:
When Available?
all year
all year - best June and July March to October May to NovemberParts with black and white icons are for non-culinary use
Culinary Use
How to Consume
young: raw
raw
sprouted
Used as ...
food
young: raw raw sproutedUsed as ...
food
Medicinal Use
Action:
anodyne, antispasmodic, antitussive, astringent, demulcent, depurative, digestive, emollient, expectorant, laxative, opthalmic, purgative, tonic
May treat:
ointment: wounds, bruises, mouth ulcers, breast cancer
eczema, complaints of the respiratory tract, rheumatic pains, painful/heavy periods
infusion: catarrh, rheumatism, arthritis, liver/kidney disorders, wounds, contusions, sprains, skin eruptions
anodyne, antispasmodic, antitussive, astringent, demulcent, depurative, digestive, emollient, expectorant, laxative, opthalmic, purgative, tonicMay treat:
ointment: wounds, bruises, mouth ulcers, breast cancer eczema, complaints of the respiratory tract, rheumatic pains, painful/heavy periods infusion: catarrh, rheumatism, arthritis, liver/kidney disorders, wounds, contusions, sprains, skin eruptions
Other Use
insect repellent
Collection, Storing and Notes
Drying
dry to store
dry to store
Key
Plant parts:
leaf
stem or trunk
sap
root, bulb, tuber and other below ground parts
flower
fruit
seed
Parts with black and white icons in the availability section are for non-culinary use
Use:
culinary use
medicinal use
household use
Other:
caution
leaf stem or trunk sap root, bulb, tuber and other below ground parts flower fruit seedParts with black and white icons in the availability section are for non-culinary use
Use:
culinary use medicinal use household useOther:
caution
Glossary
Glossary of Medicinal Terms and Nutritive Substances
- anodyne: eases pain (milder than an analgesic)
- antispasmodic: prevents or eases spasms or cramps
- antitussive: prevents or relieves coughing
- astringent: causes localised contraction of blood vessels and tissue, reducing the flow of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
- demulcent: rich in mucilage, soothes or protects irritated or inflamed tissue (especially mucousa)
- depurative: eliminates toxins and purifies the system, especially the blood
- digestive: aids digestion
- emollient: applied to the skin softens, soothes, protects (externally, as demulcents do internally)
- expectorant: removes excess amount of mucus from respiratory system (see also decongestant)
- laxative: evacuates the bowels or softens stools
- ophthalmic: treats eye complaints
- purgative: produces evacuation of the bowels (more severe than aperients or laxatives)
- tonic: improves general health, bringing steady improvement
