These little flowers are too pretty to remove I always think, but then any regular readers will know of my general respect for the garden 'weed' and the daisy is no exception. Something little used in herbal medicine today, but it is a medicinal herb and does have a traditional use.
Its English name daisy is thought to be a derivation of the 'day's eye' in reference that it opens in the morning sun and closes at dusk, its petals like lashes around its yellow centre. It has breathtaking simplicity of form, which chimes with its Latin name 'Bellis perennis' - bellis is thought to be derived from bella = beautiful and I surely think that it is, but it is also a possibility that the name was derived from belli meaning 'of war' much more baleful, but an allusion to its medicinal use. It was used as a wound herb, daisy is astringent and anti-inflammatory and would have been a good vulnerary herb. It is excellent for bruises and this external use is akin to the much more now common-place Arnica montana, which in ointment form is a marvel of the home medicine cabinet for any kind of bruising where the skin is unbroken.
On the subject of Arnica cream (Arnica is a member of the same massive plant family, the Compositae, as the daisy) I wouldn't be without it as like the daisy, it is really great first aid for bruises. My partner wouldn't be without it either, as on many a skiing trip he has used it to successfully ease a few unscheduled bruises. For those with more serious aches and pains, there also is some evidence from a study by Widrig et al. (2007) that is as effective as ibuprofen gel, for the easing of osteo-arthritic joint pain when used as a topical preparation.
Sources
Barker, J. (2001), The medicinal flora of Britain and Northwestern Europe. Kent, Winter Press
Mrs Grieve (1931) A Modern Herbal (available on line at www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/mgmh.htm).
R. Widrig et al. Choosing Between NSAID and Arnica for Topical Treatment of Hand Osteoarthritis in a Randomised, Double-Blind Study by , Rheumatol Int, 4/07
This information is meant for educational purposes only and not intended as a guide to self-treatment. You should always seek professional advice. Remember that herbs can interact with other drugs and may be contra-indicated if you have certain medical conditions, are pregnant or lactating. Take care when using wild plants or herbs, that you have the correct species from a reliable and uncontaminated source.
Catherine Schofield BSc MNIMH Herbalist Cheshire Herbs and Herbal Medicine