Oxeyedaisy

(Leucanthemum vulgare)

Other Names:
Common daisy, Dog daisy, Moon daisy, and Ox-eye daisy

Range: Non-native


Family:
Asteraceae – Aster family

Growth Type:
Herbaceous Perennial plant

Height:
Grows to 2 - 3 feet in height

Leaves:
The alternately arainged leaves are shaped like exclamation points with serrated or deeply toothed edges.

Stem/Trunk:
Single or branched stem

Root:
Fibrous root mass

Flower Season:
Summer

Flower Appearance:
Like it's unrelated namesake the Common Daisy (Bellis perennis), Oxeye Daisy has a white ray flower with a yellow center. The difference lies in the fact that the distinctive yellow center is depressed, making it look similar to an eye.

Seed/Fruit:
N/A

Miscellaneous characteristics:
N/A

Habitat:
Meadows, Fields, Waste Areas, Lawn Edges, Roadsides

Parts Used:
Flowers, Leaves, Plant tops

Culinary Uses:
The leaves have a refreshingly art lemony flavor, and can be eaten raw as a trail nibble, or added to salads.

Energetics
Taste: Pungent
Thermal: Cooling
Humidity: Drying

Traditional Medicinal Uses:
An excellent choice for the treatment of sinusitis with copious drainage. Oxeye Daisy has a mild astringent, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and diuretic effect. While there are stronger acting herbs, the abundance of oxeye makes it a great choice. A spring tea of oxeye daisy, taken daily, will help alleviate allergy symptoms. I would recommend adding goldenrod (Solidago canadensis), stinging nettle (Urtica dioica), and mullein (Verbascum thapsus) as that formulary work very well to tone the mucus membranes of the sinuses, which will reduce or eliminate the back of the throat drainage. Because of shelf life, and convenience, I tend to use tinctures rather than tea, but either will be effective. Do not use Oxeye daisy for allergies that do not present flowing sinuses, as the drying action will only serve to aggravate the condition.

Medicinal Actions:
Antihistamine, Anti-Inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Astringent, Diuretic