The Daisy family (Asteraceae) is a large and varied family which can be loosely split into plants that looks like daisies, like dandelions or like thistles. Most are bitter with a range of culinary and medicinal uses. All the Asteraceae plants found here are daisy-like, with the exception is Salsify which looks like a large purple dandelion.

Chamomiles

German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) and Roman Chamomile (Anthemis chamomilla) are visually similar with similar fragrances, the main difference is that German chamomile is an annual, while Roman chamomile is perennial. These plants are gentle but strong-acting, relaxing the nervous system and digestion, releasing muscle spasm and reducing inflammation in the skin and mucous membranes. They are commonly consumed as a tea, but can also be made into scented pillows, tubteas, tinctures and infused oils.

Curry plant

Curry plant (Heliochrysum italicum) grows on sand dunes in Western Europe and the scent lives up to the name! Their grey, narrow leaves and clusters of yellow button-like flowers smell like a good curry. They are called Everlasting as the flowers keep their colour as they dry. They are not used to flavour food, as they are quite bitter, but are used as a diuretic and to repel worms. They are used to produce an essential oil (Immortelle), which is very effective for healing burns, scars and thread veins as well as reducing skin inflammation.

Pot marigold/Calendula

Pot marigold (Calendula officinalis) is a bright orange-daisy like flower held above mid-green spoon shaped leaves. Introduced from the Mediterranean by monks, this is one of the most important remedies for tissue healing and managing infectious illness. The petals give colour and flavour to salad and soups. The whole flower is used as tea to treat viral infections and swollen glands, inflamed gut lining and ulcers, to regulate menstruation and menopause due to the phytoestrogens and as an eye wash in conjunctivitis. it contains. When extracted in oil, marigold is used topically to heal cuts and grazes, varicose veins and ulcers, inflammatory skin problems including eczema, cradle cap and athlete’s foot.

Calendula and honey lip balm

100ml calendula infused oil (fill a wide-mouth jar with dried calendula flowers, cover completely with cold-pressed vegetable oil and leave stand somewhere warm for 4 weeks, shaking daily); 50ml rosehip oil; 15g beeswax; 2-3 heaped teaspoons honey. Gently melt all ingredients, bar honey, together in a bain marie. Allow to cool slightly and add the honey and a few drops of essential oil (e.g. mandarin and chamomile to repair chapped lips). Whisk until it starts to emulsify and pour into small sterile jars (15ml is ideal).

Yarrow

The genus name of Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) refers to Achilles, the Greek hero who apparently used this herb to staunch his warrior’s wounds, while millefolium (thousand leaves) refers to the feathery finely cut leaves. The use of yarrow to control bleeding is still one of its main uses – it can rapidly reduce bleeding from cuts by speeding up clotting while also having an anti-microbial effect, preventing infection. It is also equally useful for internal bleeding, bruising and reducing menstrual flow, while reducing blood pressure by opening up peripheral circulation. On top of all this, the leaves are aromatic and a nice garnish for a salad.

English mace

English mace (Achillea ageratum) has near identical flowers to yarrow, but the leaves are long straps with strongly serrated edges. The leaves can be chopped to stuff chicken, flavour soups/stews and creamy sauces as well as sprinkled on potato salads, rice and pasta dishes. The mild aromatic warming flavour is reminiscent of mace (the outer wrapping of nutmeg).

Salsify

Salsify (Tragogon porrifolius) was grown for its tasty edible root long before we bred the large parsnips consumed today. Once these came on the vegetable garden scene, salsify fell out of favour. The taste of the leaves is similar to chicory and would be similarly beneficial to liver and digestive function when added to salads as a “Spring Cure”. The root is supportive to urinary tract health and is delicious roasted or used in soups/stews.