Ox Eye Daisy

Ox-eye daisy is native of Europe and temperate Asia, but it is freely self-seeding and has become abundantly naturalized in parts of North America, Australia and New Zealand.

It is considered by some to be a harmful invasive species.  It decreases forage for wildlife, decreases local plant biodiversity, and may compromise vegetative ground cover due to its growth form that results in exposed soil. (ISCBC, 2019)

Oxeye daisy is a fellow member of the Aster family which includes Black-Eyed Susan, Chamomile, Coneflower, Goldenrod, Sage, Smooth Aster, and Yarrow.

These plants are largely undemanding, growing well in a perennial border or garden bed in full sun or morning shade in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil. It is commonly found along roadsides, in pastures and in disturbed soil all over the place.

Ox-eye daisies are not a great forage plant for other animals because of the presence of pyrethrum, a naturally occurring pesticide that gives the leaves a bitter taste. Horses, sheep, and goats will eat ox-eye daisy, but cows and pigs avoid it. Young shoots and leaves are edible, but bitter. They may be used sparingly in salads as a bitter herb and digestive tonic. You can use dried ox-eye daisy flowers to make a tea that will clear up sinus congestion for 4 to 6 hours. The flowers are balsamic and make a medicinal infusion for relieving chronic coughs and for bronchial problems. The herb is used in the treatment of whooping cough, asthma and nervous excitability. The root is used successfully for stopping the night-sweats of pulmonary consumption. Externally, it is used as a medicinal lotion for wounds, bruises, and ulcers. A distilled water made from the flowers is an effective eye lotion in the treatment of conjunctivitis (pink eye). (Neverman, 2012)

Indigenous people have adopted this plant for use as a tea for fever, a wash for eyes and chapped hands.  (Foster & Duke, p. 121)

The ox-eye daisy is considered to have similar effects as chamomile. (Foster & Duke, p. 121)  Mixed with other ingredients, it's used in a tea to soothe nerves in adults and hyperactivity in children (Métis Elder, published in Marles et al., p. 127).