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DAISY (Little) BELLIS PERENNIS This is another herb which nature has made common, because it may be used. he common Little Daisy is the one that grows in lawns. The roots are a thick bush of fibres and the leaves grow in a circle close to the ground. The flowers seldom grow to more than four inches (10 cm) high. Where to find it: Lawns, fields and meadows. Flowering time: All the year round. Astrology: This Daisy is governed by Venus in the sign of Cancer. Medicinal virtues: The leaves, and sometimes the roots, are used. They are among the traumatic and vulnerary herbs, being used in wound-drinks, and are accounted good to dissolve congealed and coagulated blood. They also help the pleurisy and peripneurnonia. In the king's-evil the decoction given inwardly and a cataplasrn of the leaves applied outwardly, are esteemed by some. The leaves taste like Colt's Foot, but are more mucilaginous and not bitter. An infusion boiled in asses' milk is effectual in consumption of the lungs. Modern uses: The crushed fresh leaves will still soothe wounds and help healing as in former days. It is still known as Bruisewort in some places. In medicine it is mainly used by homocopaths who make a fresh plant tincture as a remedy for lumps and swellings as a result of injury, and also for chronic skin diseases due to impure blood, such as boils. An infusion of 1 oz (28 g) Of the herb to 1 pt (568 ml) of water is used cold in an eye bath for minor eye troubles. An ointment is also used for this purpose being applied to the eyelids. |