Thursday, August 11, 2011

A Daisy Will Do You

 




As I was taking photos one day not so long ago for my macro flower submissions, I spotted a nice grouping of daisies.





As I got closer, I saw a few ants enjoying the daisies as well.

Ponder the ant a bit. Such a tiny creature and sometimes a real nuisance in your garden or house. They can damage crops and invade buildings. How many of you have ever had your garden or your home over run with ants?



Yet ants are very social creatures and very industrious too. Apparently ant societies have division of labour, communicate with one another and have an ability to solve complex problems. This makes ants quite fascinating. 


Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:  Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
Proverbs 6:6-8 (KJV)


I bet some of you remember your fascination with ants as a child. Or perhaps you have a child or grandchild who watches the ants and sees how they work so feverishly; marvelling at the heavy loads ants can carry on their backs as they prepare for the winter.  I think we can all learn something from this hard working little creature.


The daisy is such a simple flower but yet so intricate and beautiful at the same time.  Look at the fascinating centre of the flower. Such perfection!


I learned that the daisy has some medicinal properties. I believe this daisy is called an English daisy. 


It has the following properties:

  • anodyne - pain relief
  • antispasmodic - suppresses muscle spasms
  • antitussive - cough suppressants
  • demulcent - agent that wraps around mucus membrane to relieve minor pain and inflammation to the area
  • emollient - softens or soothes skin
  • expectorant - to helps remove mucus from lungs, bronchi, and trachea
  • laxative - induce bowel movements or loosen stool
  • purgative - helps induce vomiting
  • tonic - improve health

It can be well tolerated in homeopathic remedies but since the daisy is a diuretic, there can be dangers of toxicity when taken with anti-inflammatory painkillers. Don't try to self-medicate. Get some professional help if you want to consider an herbal remedy.

I will be travelling for a family funeral so I apologize in advance if you visit  my blog and I cannot comment right away. I may have one or two pre-scheduled blog posts if I have enough time.

Please join in to the memes, Macro Flowers Saturday and Weekend Flowers of Friday. You will see some beautiful flowers.  Thank you to Maia and Tina for hosting these beautiful memes.  Happy weekend!

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26 comments:

Jama said...

They are so pretty, I just love them.

Colleen said...

How beautifully you write today Penny. It's funny, I was in my own garden the other day taking pictures of certain flowers that were just so obviously gorgeous, you know, really showy and bright ones and then I came across my own little clump of daisies and found their incredible simplicity and purity so precious! I love your musings on the ants...you really remind me today how God wants us to delight in his marvelous creations...thank you.

Diane said...

Beautiful words and photos. Diane

Tina´s PicStory said...

Sweet daisies :) Thanks for joining us on WEF with this lovely flowers :) Have a nice weekend! LG Tina

Jo said...

Beautiful post, Penny, As I read about the ants, Prov 6 came to mind! Bless you on your travels to this sad event in your family. Thanks for the prayer of healing. It's working! (((hugs))) Jo

Cecilia Artista said...

Daisies are really nice flowers!
Lovely photos!

Linda said...

What an interesting post. I always consider ants to be pests, but you and the Bible are right -- I should learn from them. Love your info about diasies, too.

Bless you as you travel, and bless your family, too, during this time.

Linda

Fred Alton said...

Thanks for the beautiful and informative post, Ginny. Hurry back!

Fred Alton said...

Oops! Sorry, Penny! I knew that your name was Penny - not Ginny.

Anonymous said...

what a beautiful post :) as a child I used to watch ants and give them my cookies to feed them! sorry to hear the reason of your departure. in these moments I worry so much about the living. I hope you're okay dear. xoxo

Donna said...

Beautiful daisies..most of mine are gone from the heat...

Maia T said...

What a beautiful post with so many info and all these beautiful pictures.

Macro Flowers Saturday is up now but I assume you are on the way to the funeral, so I post it for you. I hope you don't mind.

Nayana said...

Diasies r my favorite..last pic is so pretty...

WebbieLady said...

This daisy is very lovely and reminds me of pureness as it's white... i never knew about the medicinal aspct though...

Minoru said...

I thought it was only daisy's photos. But reading your post, there were many interesting stories.I was impressed very much.

Linda said...

so beautiful!!!

Kalyan Panja said...

Simply beautifully captured shots...lovely!

~✽Mumsy✽~ said...

They are so very! Have a wonderful time at the wedding.

Cheryl said...

So sorry for your loss. No need to return the visit. Take care of yourself.

CBS Sunday Morning had a great piece on how we've studied the behavior of ants to learn how to be more productive.

I see them everywhere in, on, and around my flowers. I don't mind as long as they don't overrun or kill them.

Esme Sy said...

Gorgeous daisies.

My entry.

Danielle said...

How beautiful! I love the pictures and reflections. I also love your heart for Africa/Kenya. It was Kenya (Well...God IN Kenya) that first drew my heart to Africa when I was in college so many years ago. The country and people will always hold a special place in my heart!

A Woman that Fears the Lord said...

I remember someone saying that the daisy was a 'happy' flower. I always think of that when I see one. :-)

You take great pictures.

EG CameraGirl said...

I had no idea the centres of daisies had such properties!

Lydia said...

I love your photos, but I love your explanation of the ant too! Last year my house was over run with ants, they were just little sugar ants but a nuisance nonetheless. They are extraordinary creatures though. I remember making my own ant farm out of a mason jar and sand when I was younger :)

Lonicera said...

(I was sure I'd left a comment - don't know what happened)
Flowers are the best subjects ever to photograph... love yours.
I imagine you've had a difficult week - thoughts are with you.
Caroline

Sarah said...

My daughter loves your photo's of the daisy!!

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