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Gerard describes ‘the little Daisie’ (to separate it from the Ox-eye Daisy) as a cold, moist herb that could be used to alleviate all types of pain, but especially joint pain or that due to gout. The way he suggested using them was to combine them with butter and rub it on the afflicted area, “…but they work more effectually if Mallows be added thereto”. 4 Karakas, P. Karakas, A., Boran, I., Turker, A. U., Yalcin, F. N. and Bilensoy, E. (2012) The evaluation of topical administration of Bellis perennis fraction on circular excision wound healing in Wista albino rats, Pharmaceutical Biology, 50(8):1031-1037. The other use for the leaves was as a wound healer for bruises and swellings. 4 Mrs Grieves adds that it has ‘…a great reputation as a cure for fresh wounds…’ This was achieved using an ointment and applying it externally rather than taking the plant internally and this was apparently a well-known remedy in the fourteenth century. 5 Culpepper says Daisies are ’…accounted good to dissolve congealed and coagulated blood…’. 3 A later study found seven new saponins (constituents that have soap-like attributes and lower surface tension) in Daisy flowers. These saponins promote collagen synthesis, without any toxic side-effects. Collagen is the main structural constituent of skin. Therefore, the finding that Daisies contribute to collagen synthesis would explain why they have been used in wound healing. The actual mechanism of how this works, however, is still not known. 8 One type of saponin in Daisy flowers has also been found to inhibit tumours. 7 The last more unusual superstition associated with Daisies was that feeding a small puppy Daisy juice mixed with milk would prevent it from growing. 4, 5 I have seen this recorded in a few places but have no idea where the idea came from. Culpepper does say that an infusion of Daisy mixed with asses milk is good for consumption of the lungs, but doesn’t mention puppies! 3
The main parts traditionally used were the leaves and the roots. The leaves were used as a ‘pot herb’ and could be added to salads, soups and stews 1 to help ease stomach ache and inflammation of the intestines. So, Gerard seemed to think of it highly as a herb to be used in the digestive system. Culpepper and Mrs Grieves also recommend this use for an inflamed liver, with Mrs Grieves saying it should be taken as a distilled water. 3, 5 Even better, it might be nice to gift someone a pot with planted daisies so they will last much longer. Whether they are grown at home or sourced from a florist or garden shop, daisies make a lovely gift on National Daisy Day or really any time of the year! Make Plans to Attend a Daisy Festival The second superstition of Daisy chains was so that Daisies could be worn by both sexes. By making the Daisies into a circle, evil spirits were prevented from passing though. This meant the children would not be stolen away by the Little/Faery Folk. Older children passed this skill onto the younger children, ensuring they all stayed safe. 2Although daisies originally hail from Europe, they have traveled far and wide, and can now be found all over the Americas and Asia, as well as Australia. We’ve tapped into our memories with our writing. Adding a good splash of over-active imagination and incredulity to come up with the characters and plots. Morikawa, T., Ninomiya, K., Takamori, Y., Nishida, E., Yasue, M., Hayakawa, T., Muraoka, O., Li, X., Nakamura, S., Yoshikawa, M. and Matsuda, H. (2015) Oleanane-type triterpene saponins with collagen synthesis-promoting activity from the flowers of Bellis perennis, Phytochemistry, 116: 203-212.
While some gardeners may have originally considered daisies to be a weed, it’s obvious that this flower offers much to the environment in the way of beauty as well as health. Some people don’t realize that many of the varieties of daisies are edible and healthy when eaten in salads or used to decorate sweet baked goods such as cakes. A wound-healer during wars, a flower to keep small children safe and something sprinkled over the Earth by God to cheer parents up when their infant died. The superstitions and stories associated with Daisies are many and varied. But do any of them hold any truth? Daisies are often seen growing in many lawns between March and October. They are often-overlooked nowadays but as Culpepper says ‘This is another herb which nature has made common, because it may be useful’. | Credit Helen MillerThe Yellow Daisy Festival that takes place in Stone Mountain, Georgia is typically scheduled for mid-September. This festival has been a local attraction for more than fifty years and was even voted one of the top arts and crafts shows in the United States. And, of course, there are plenty of daisy-themed activities and attractions to stay busy with and enjoy! Bruton-Seal, J. and Seal, M. (2017) Wayside Medicine: Forgotten plants and how to use them, Merlin Unwin Books, Ludlow, Shropshire, UK. We’ve lived everywhere man” as the song goes but are now permanently settled in Darlington – probably, but who knows?
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