Newsletter: 1st February

Meet the Asteraceae Herb Family

From Echinacea to Calendula, the Asteraceae family is more commonly known as the daisy family. It is one of the largest plant families in the world and includes garden favourites and wildflowers to useful herbs. Herbs from this family are used in herbal infusions, herbal medicines, and salads, making them a valuable addition to your cupboard for supporting your wellbeing during winter colds and flu season.

Anyone who has visited Jekka’s knows we are strong advocates of understanding plant families. They not only help us understand how herbs grow, but also how they can be used. Plants in the same family often thrive in similar conditions and bring related flavours to our plates.

You might not be familiar with the name Asteraceae, but you will know its members from Yarrow, Wormwood, Chamomile, Chicory, Cardoon to Milk Thistle, to name a few.

Key characteristics of the Asteraceae family are;

• Composite flower heads made up of many tiny individual flowers (florets)
• Florets are tightly clustered to appear as a single large bloom. The two main floret types are:
  • Ray florets: petal-like, around the edge (e.g. daisy “petals”)
  • Disc florets: small, central flowers (e.g. sunflower centre)

These are rewarding herbs to grow, easy to harvest, and satisfying to use at home. Furthermore, the flower structure of these plants is highly attractive to pollinators. Discover this remarkable herb family firsthand by sowing our herb seeds and supporting pollinators in your garden via the link below. 

Left to right, members of the Asteraceae family: Tansy  (Tanacetum vulgare),  Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)  and Chicory (Cichorium intybus)

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Teas, Tinctures, and Infused Oils with the Asteraceae Herb Family

Some of our most familiar herbal drinks and home remedies come from Asteraceae plants.

• German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) is the best-known Asteraceae tea, prized for its gentle flavour and calming effects. Its dried, apple-scented flowers are said to help relax digestive muscles, ease cramps and gas, soothe IBS symptoms, and with its antispasmodic properties it promotes a restful night’s sleep.
• Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis) most often infused in oil and traditionally valued for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and soothing properties. Calendula petals and flower heads are commonly found in skincare, where they are believed to heal minor cuts, burns, insect bites, bruises, and irritated skin such as eczema.
  
• Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) traditionally used as a tea or tincture, especially against colds, as it encourages sweating and helps reduce fevers. As a bitter, antispasmodic herb, it purportedly supports digestion and relieves stomach cramps and indigestion. While its traditional use was to stop bleeding by congealing the blood, has earned it the name 'the carpenter’s herb'.
  

From drying chamomile for an evening tea to scattering calendula petals on a salad, these herbs remind us that herbs can look beautiful in your garden and be beneficial for your health. Several Asteraceae herbs also appear in our blog on Elizabethan Herbs for the film Hamnet, a project we advised on and supplied herbs for.

We recommend consulting your physician or a herbalist before drinking herbal infusions if you are on medications.

 

 

 

Left to right, members of the Asteraceae family: Chamomile (Matricaria recutita), Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis) and Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

 

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Jekka's Herbal Infusions

 

Have you tried Jekka's herbal infusions? From the cozy warmth of Eastern Promise to the refreshing delight of Citrus Trilogy. We have blended a range of herbal infusions for morning, noon and night. Try them today through the link below.

  

 

Jekka's Herbal Infusions

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Cultivating flavour, creating experiences.

www.jekkas.com