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Submitted by Doris Potter
Do you remember from childhood past times, the playing with daisies or making daisy chains?
Can you put your foot on 7 daisies? According to a folklore saying: If you can, then summer surely has come. I love the very common plants and knowing the mystery of their healing properties. Such a plant is the Common Daisy, growing in abundance all around us, but its very good healing properties are almost forgotten.
Its pretty flowers peep out from our lawns from early spring until late autumn. This plant has given its existence completely over to the course of the sun, even the day rhythm of light and dark is expressed in opening its petals in the morning and closing them in the evening. Is it surprising that “Daisy” is a shortened version of “Days-Eye” or that in the North Myths it is referred to as “Baldur’s eye”? Baldur being the Sun-god.
This little plant has not only an affinity to light and the sun, but also harbours an enormous amount of vitality. You mow it and already the next day it is there again. Apparently its great healing qualities are equivalent to the nowadays better known Calendula or Arnica. It used to be called ”Bruisewort” or “Woundwort” indicating it’s use, also reduces bleeding.
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It is nutritious and helpful for digestion and problems of the abdomen and uterus. It has a strengthening effect on muscle fibres and is anti-inflammatory, therefore a good remedy for joint and back problems.
Not surprisingly when regarding its day and night rhythm, it is also helpful with sleeping problems when waking too early and not being able to go back to sleep again.
Young leaves can be added to salad. The flowers as well as leaves can be used in herbs tea mixtures and are specially helpful for general health in children. The leaves especially are used for respiratory problems. However when foraging pick them from clean unsprayed places!
Dr Hauschka uses Bellis Perennis in combination with other plant extracts in many of their skin care products which have to do with regeneration and cleaning and enlivening of the skin. Why not have a go at making up your own bruise balm?
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Recipe for Daisy Bruise Balm
– 1 very clean jar of daisy heads (pick in the morning)
– Cover with org Olive Oil or Sunflower Oil and seal the jar (if you want a tincture , use a strong brandy, but dilute with water immediately before using)
– Leave for 2 weeks in a slightly warm place such as a sunny window sill, shake frequently
– Strain the flowers through a cloth or sieve into a very clean pan
– Warm to ca. 50 degrees with 20gm bees wax per 120ml Oil
– Put into prepared small pots and let it set, seal, label, and date.
– Shelf life : 1 year in a cool dark place
It is also possible to use it without the wax as an oil, for example as an application on the abdomen or as a massage oil for back problems and muscle injuries. This is how I may use it during a Rhythmical Massage session.
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