© Matthias Süßen · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Bellis perennis
Gänseblümchen · (Bellis perennis)
Daisy family (Asteraceae)
Description
Bellis perennis, the daisy, is a European species of the family Asteraceae, often considered the archetypal species of the name daisy. To distinguish this species from other plants known as daisies, it is sometimes qualified or known as common daisy, lawn daisy or English daisy.
- SalveFlowerExternalTraditional use
Classic home-remedy salve for bruises and minor wounds — the gentler sister of arnica, traditionally also used for children.
Preparation & dosage
DAISY SALVE: Fill a clean jar 2/3 with freshly picked daisies (~50–100 g per 250–500 ml oil). Cover with cold-pressed olive oil (or sweet almond oil), close jar, place in warm, light spot for 3–4 weeks, swirl daily. Strain through muslin, press plant material. Per 100 ml oil melt 10–12 g beeswax, stir in oil. Apply thinly 1–2× daily to bruises, contusions, sprains.
- Dry amount
- 50–100 g
- Liquid amount
- 250–500 ml
- Max duration
- 4 weeks
[#src_pfaf_bellis] [#src_volksmed_bellis] [#src_henriettes_bellis]
- CompressAerial partsExternalTraditional use
Cooling compress for fresh bruises, contusions, swollen joints and minor skin irritations.
Preparation & dosage
MOIST COMPRESS: 5–10 g fresh or dried daisies + 250–500 ml hot water, steep 10–15 min covered, strain, cool to lukewarm. Soak cloth, apply 15–20 min to affected area. Repeat 2–3× a day. Alternatively: crush fresh leaves and flowers as green poultice — classic children's home remedy for grazed knees.
- Dry amount
- 5–10 g
- Doses per day
- 3×
- Max duration
- 2 weeks
- TeaFlowerInternalFolk medicine
Very mild folk-medicine tea for spring cures and mild respiratory irritation — traditional use without modern evidence.
Preparation & dosage
DAISY TEA (very mild, traditional): 1–2 g dried flowers in 150–250 ml boiling water, steep 5–10 min covered, strain. Max 2 cups a day, no longer than 1–2 weeks. Traditional spring cure or mild respiratory irritation. Purely traditional — no modern clinical trials or EMA monograph.
- Dry amount
- 1–2 g
- Doses per day
- 2×
- Max duration
- 2 weeks
⚠ Age restriction: ≥ 12 years — Internal tea use only from 12 years. External use (salve, compress) has been used for younger children for generations.
- RawAerial partsInternalFolk medicine
Edible wild plant — flowers and young leaves as a mild salad ingredient.
Preparation & dosage
WILD-SALAD INGREDIENT: Sprinkle young leaves and fully opened flowers raw into wild-herb salads, onto buttered bread, or as edible decoration. Flavour: mild, slightly nutty, faintly bitter. Wash well before use.