This lovely little flower grows everywhere. Its value as a medicinal plant has largely been overlooked and most modern herbalists do not use it. But daisy benefits were highly valued by our ancestors. So make yourself a cup of Daisy Tea and enjoy the benefits.
Daisy Tea
In a cup of boiled water add 1 – 2 tablespoons of dried daisy flowers. Leave it for 10 – 15 minutes, then strain the tea.
If we look for daisy benefits then it is worth looking into its pharmacological constituents. It contains flavonoids (3 flavonoid aglycones, apigenin, quercetin, kaempferol, and 2 flavone glycosides of apigenin), triterpenoic saponins, acetic, malic, and oxalic acid, mucilage, wax, resins, inulin, tannins and essential oils . A glycosidase inhibitor found in the leaves may have an antiviral action against HIV. The daisy also has high nutritional value; in 100g of edible parts of the plant, there is 600mg potassium, 190mg calcium, 160mg vitamin A, 88mg phosphorus, 33mg magnesium, 2.7mg iron, and 2.6mg protein .
The whole plant has antiarthritic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antitussive, anodyne, astringent, demulcent, diaphoretic, digestive, diuretic, emollient, expectorant, febrifuge, hepatic, laxative, ophthalmic, tonic, and vulnerary properties.
Daisy benefits have important applications for treating various conditions of the joints, skin, lungs, stomach and skin and may well be effectve in the prevention of cancer, and cardiovascular diseases.
Daisy flowers for cancer treatment and cardiovascular disease
Many edible plants contain the flavonoid kaempferol (e.g. beans, broccoli, cabbage, endive, grapes, kale, leek, tea, tomato, and strawberries) and herbs (including Equisetum spp, Ginkgo biloba, Moringa oleifera, Tilia spp, and propolis). It has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimutagenic, antidiabetic, anti-osteoporotic, anxiolytic, antiallergenic, hormone regulating, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, and analgesic properties.
Studies show that eating foods containing kaempferol can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancer (particularly lung and pancreatic cancer).
Quercetin is a pigment found in many foods (apples, berries, red grapes, onions, broccoli, tea, green tea, and red wine). It has antiviral, antioxidant, antimutagenic, and hypotensive properties. It may help in allergies and inhibit prostate cancer, helps reduce cardiovascular problems, and strengthens blood vessel walls
While the essential oils are antimicrobial against gram- and gram+ bacteria, the triterpenoid glycosides have antifungal activity and they are very effective against Cryptococcus spp and Candida.
Julie's Green Journal 