Daisy | Damiana | Dandelion | Dill | Dock
Note: This
information is not intended as medical advice, and should not be
relied upon as a substitute for consultation with your doctor who
is familiar with your medical needs. Daisy (Bellis Perennis). 10-20 cm (3-6 ins).
Familiar white flowers (often tinged with rose) with yellow centre, soft
hairy stalks, fibrous root.
Cultivated but commonly found wild in lawns, meadows and other grassy places.
Medicinal use of flowers and leaves in tea for stomach and intestinal problems,
fresh flowers will help swellings and burns.
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Damiana (Turnera aphrodisiaca).
Small shrub growing in Texas and Northern Mexico, leaves can be obtained
from herbalists.
Medicinal use as a laxative and tonic. Supposed to be good for nervous
and sexual debility, hence reputed aphrodisiac qualities.
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Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) 5-30 cm (2-12 ins).
Familiar yellow flowers on hollow fleshy rubbery leafless stalks, toothed leaves
round base.
Though often found as weeds can be cultivated if kept under control.
Culinary use of young leaves in salad or on sandwiches, highly nutritious especially
in Vitamin A (better than spinach). Dried leaves as general herb, dried roasted
root as coffee substitute.
Has been used to improve gallbladder function, and to stimulate digestion glands,
also to combat rheumatism and gout.
Back To Index Dill (Anethum graveolens)90 cm (36 ins).
Flat clusters of tiny yellow flowers, leaves feathery, finely serrated
erect stem with alternate white and green stripes.
Fruit oval. Found wild but widely cultivated, needs well-drained soil
and sunny position.
Sow continuously April-June. Grow away from fennel.
Culinary use-of leaves for flavouring particularly fish, bland vegetables
and pickled cucumbers, seeds in soups.
Seeds have been used as tea for vomiting and hiccups, and chewing of
seed for halitosis is useful.
Back To Index Dock (Rumex hydrolapathum) (Water Dock) 2m (6 ft).
Small greenish yellow flowers with white heads, hollow branched stem,
narrow elliptical leaves, large reddish-brown roots. Largest of dock
family, found near rivers, ditches and ponds and in marshy places.
Use of roots believed to be a general body cleanser.
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