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.
The following text is meant for informational purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness or injury. Always consult with a physician or other qualified medical care provider concerning the diagnosis and treatment of any illness or injury.
Energetics
Taste: Pungent
Thermal: Cooling
Humidity: Drying
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.
Cautions According To WebMD
Contra-Indications
None Known
Possible Side Effects:
None Known
Possible Interactions:
None Known
Medicinal Actions:
Antihistamine,
Anti-Inflammatory,
Antimicrobial,
Astringent,
Diuretic
Herbal Preparations For Leucanthemum vulgare
Tea
Part Used: Whole above ground flowering plant
Plant State: Fresh or dried
Place 2 tsp of fresh, or 1 tsp of dried, chopped leaves in a large mug. Pour almost boiling water over the leaves. Steep for 20 minutes. Strain to remove sediment.
Dosage: Drink as needed
Standard Infusion
Part Used: Whole above ground flowering plant
Plant State: Fresh or dried
Place 2 ounces of fresh, or 1 ounce of dried, chopped flowering plant material into a quart mason jar, and fill the jar with almost boiling water. Cover the jar, place it in a sunny location, and let it sit for 8 to 10 hours. If refrigerated, the infusion will last a couple of days.
Dosage: 2-4 oz As Needed
Tincture
Part Used: Whole above ground flowering plant
Plant State: Fresh
Alcohol Percentage: 50%
Plant to Alcohol Ratio: 1:2
Label a quart mason jar with the plant name, the part of the plant used, the percentage of alcohol used, and the date the tincture was started.
Fill the jar to the neck with chopped fresh leaves, then pour in 750 ml of 100 proof vodka, or 500 ml of 150 proof Everclear and 250 ml of water. Next pour the contents of the jar into a blender and blend until all of the plant material is thoroughly chopped into fine pieces and incorporated into the menstrum. This will increase the surface area and provide better leaching of the plant constituents. As a matter of fact, this method works so well that, if necessary, the tincture can be used in as little as 7 days. Now pour the contents of the blender back into the jar, being careful to scrape every last bit of goodness from the blender. Place a lid on the mason jar, shake it well, and place the jar in a dark cupboard. Once a day for the first 7 days, take the jar out of the cupboard and shake it well. Place the jar back into the cupboard, and leave it soak for another 3 weeks. After the tincture has soaked for 30 days, remove it from the cupboard and strain out the spent plant material. Your tincture will remain viable for 2-3 years.
Dosage: 30-45 drops up to 3 times daily
Tincture
Part Used: Whole above ground flowering plant
Plant State: Dried
Alcohol Percentage: 60%
Plant to Alcohol Ratio: 1:5
Label a quart mason jar with the plant name, the part of the plant used, the percentage of alcohol used, and the date the tincture was started.
Place 150 grams of dried plant material into a quart mason jar. Now pour in 750 ml of 60% alcohol. Next pour the contents of the jar into a blender and blend until all of the plant material is thoroughly chopped into fine pieces and incorporated into the menstrum. This will increase the surface area and provide better leaching of the plant constituents. As a matter of fact, this method works so well that, if necessary, the tincture can be used in as little as 7 days. Now pour the contents of the blender back into the jar, being careful to scrape every last bit of goodness from the blender. Place a lid on the mason jar, shake it well, and place the jar in a dark cupboard. Once a day for the first 7 days, take the jar out of the cupboard and shake it well. Place the jar back into the cupboard, and leave it soak for another 3 weeks. After the tincture has soaked for 30 days, remove it from the cupboard and strain out the spent plant material. Your tincture will remain viable for 2-3 years.
Dosage: 45-60 drops up to 3 times daily
