I apologize for posting back to back Weed Wednesdays but It has been a busy week here at the Try Vegan Corporate Headquarters. Without further adieu, here is this weeks Weed Wednesday.

Weed Wednesday: Ox-Eye Daisy

Our weed of the week is the Ox-Eye Daisy which are in the chamomile family. These plants resemble their more likable cousin, the Shasta Daisy, which most of us consider flowers beautiful enough to be purchased in stores. So whats wrong with the Ox-Eye?

To me, it appears the Ox-eyes have a longer, sporadic, and less appealing stem system while the Shasta daisy grows in a more full and interconnected manner reflective of what we find beautiful in a plant. The flowers appear more or less identical so the beauty is the same once the flowers blossom. Although, if the Ox-eye were to appear in your garden you would probably pull it out but leave the Shasta and admire its beauty.

Now the question that I know is always on your mind; Can you eat it?

The answer is yes and of course there are medicinal properties to go along with it.

The whole plant is edible although it would probably not be your first choice to throw in your salad because of its bitter taste. The leaves can be cooked or eaten raw, the shoots can be chopped up and eaten, and the root can be eaten raw. As for the medicinal purposes of this plant, there are quite a few:

Suppresses muscle spasms
Suppresses coughing
Increase perspiration
Promotes the production of urine (diuretic)
Stimulate blood flow in the pelvic area and uterus
Can be used as a tonic
Can be made into a paste to heal wounds

Now you know a little more about this plant that everybody is so familiar with, and it took less than a minute to read :)