It’s that time of year when daisies start to bloom. Loved for their happy, innocent beauty, daisies also have a long history as a healing medicine.

Medicinally, there are two types of daisies that are commonly used: Chrysanthemum Leucanthemum vulgare (oxeye daisy) and Bellis perennis (wild daisy). The oxeye daisy is commonly mistaken for the shasta daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum) which is also edible, however, the shasta daisy is taller and has a toothed whole leaf. The oxeye daisy also has deeper lobes than the shasta daisy.

Daisy leaves, flowers, flower buds, stalks, and roots are all edible, but the pretty flowers really kick into gear when used to help treat colds and flus, digestive disorders, and healing wounds, cuts, bruises, and sprains.

Find out more about these beautiful spring/summer flowers and how you can be taking better advantage of their healing powers.

Discover Daisy (Chu Ju) and other herbs by visiting our Herb Directory.