Daisy, Bellis perennis, also known as bellis, belongs to the family Asteraceae.
Bellis comes from bella, meaning beautiful, and perennis meaning perennial. The name may also come from a dryad, a tree nymph in Greek mythology, named Belidis.
Up here in the nordics, the flower was worshiped as the spring av goddess Frejas plant.
The daisy is common in southern and central Sweden. It grows on cultivated land, in lawns, parks and pastures. Daisies blooms almost all year round and the flowers appear as soon as the snow and frost are gone. It closes the flower baskets every night.
Daisy has been used as a remedy for wounds and chest pain in folk medicine. It has also been used as an anti-inflammatory and diuretic. It is the flower buds that are mainly used as an infusion, that is to say that the water is poured over the plant which is allowed to stand and draw. Active substances in the flower provide astringent and cough-promoting effects
When treating wounds and skin conditions, you can use the flower infusion in compresses or in baths. The fresh leaf can also be used as a decoction for the same treatment.
You can also have the daisy in teas and the fresh leaves can be eaten as a salad or eaten with soup.The young, tender leaves are rich in vitamin C.
Thank you for all your gifts, Bellis perennis!