Get To Know: Ox-Eye Daisy -

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🌼 How to Identify Ox-Eye Daisy

🔍 Key Characteristics

Family: Asteraceae (same as chamomile, dandelion, yarrow)
Height: 1–3 feet tall
Leaves:
- Basal leaves: Spoon-shaped, toothed
- Upper leaves: Narrow, alternate, and clasp the stem
Flowers:
- 1.5–2.5 inches wide
- Bright white petals (ray florets) surrounding a yellow central disc (disc florets)
- Bloom from late spring to early fall
Habitat: Meadows, roadsides, pastures, open woods; very common across North America and Europe

🌿 Lookalikes:

Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum × superbum): Larger, cultivated version
Chamomile: Smaller flowers, finely divided leaves, apple-like scent
Scentless mayweed (Tripleurospermum inodorum): Similar look, but finely dissected leaves

📜 Historical Uses of Ox-Eye Daisy

🏺 Traditional European Herbalism

Used for centuries as a mild sedative, digestive aid, and cough remedy.
Called “Moon Daisy” in old English herbal texts.
Employed similarly to chamomile—particularly in treating whooping cough, asthma, and nervous complaints.

You can get ox eye daisy seeds HERE on Amazon through our affiliate link.

🌿 Medicinal Benefits of Ox-Eye Daisy

🧪 1. Respiratory Support

Traditionally used to treat coughs, bronchitis, and asthma.
Its astringent and expectorant qualities help clear mucus and soothe airways.

🧘 2. Nervine/Sedative

Mild calming effect, similar to chamomile.
Used for anxiety, headaches, and insomnia.

🌼 3. Digestive Aid

Stimulates appetite and soothes indigestion, cramps, and gas.
Often used as a mild bitter tonic before meals.

🧴 4. Topical Use

Infusions or poultices applied to wounds, bruises, and skin irritations.
Historically used to reduce inflammation and swelling.

🧉 How to Use Ox-Eye Daisy

🌸 Parts Used

Flower heads (fresh or dried)
Leaves (less commonly used, but edible)
Roots (occasionally in decoctions)

🍵 Common Preparations

Form	Use
Infusion/Tea	For coughs, nervous tension, stomach upset
Tincture	Preserved form for anxiety, asthma, digestion
Poultice or Compress	For wounds, bruises, skin inflammation
Syrup (with honey)	Calms persistent coughs

🌼 Simple Ox-Eye Daisy Tea Recipe

Ingredients:

1–2 tsp dried or fresh ox-eye daisy flowers

1 cup boiling water

Instructions:
Steep for 10–15 minutes. Strain and drink up to 3x a day.

⚠️ Safety and Precautions

Mildly toxic in large doses; avoid high quantities.
Not recommended during pregnancy or for people with ragweed allergies (same plant family).
Avoid internal use for long periods—best used in short, occasional treatments.
Always confirm ID before wild-harvesting.