Tansy is a "magickal" herb and symbol for immortality, used in funeral rites about birth and death, at least since the times of Ancient. Tucked around a dead body before burial, it was thought help carry the spirit on their journey. As a medicinal herb it has uses, but must be carefully used lest it take you on your journey to death.

_{Photo by @krnel}

Tansy is also known as common tansy bitter buttons, cow bitter, or golden buttons. The scientific botanical name is Tanacetum vulgare. Other names include Barbotine, Bitter Buttons, Buttons, Chrysanthemi Vulgaris Flos, Chrysanthemi Vulgaris Herba, Chrysanthemum vulgare, Coq des Jardins, Daisy, Erva dos Vermes, Herbe du Bon Chasseur, Herbe de Chartreux, Herbe au Coq, Herbe de Saint-Marc, Herbe de Sainte-Marie, Herbe aux Vers, Hind Heal, Parsley Fern, Scented Fern, Sent-Bon, Stinking Willie, Tanaceto, Tanacetum boreale, Tanaisie, Tanaisie Commune, Tanaisie Vulgaire, Tansy Flower, Tansy Herb.

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Key Points

• treats digestive issues, pain, and induces menstruation/abortions
• dangerous in large doses, keep is small
• invasive plant
• not too edible

History

Greeks appear to be the first to cultivate it as a medicinal herb. Tansy and Tanacetum originate from the Greek athanasia which means immortality. Greek mythology had a young women named Ganymede made into an immortal from a drink containing tansy. It was also used to preserve dead bodies, lending to the imagery of immortalizing things through embalming.

Where is it found?

This perennial herbaceous flowering plant is native to temperate Europe and Asia, and was introduced into North America where it's been considered as invasive.

It can be found along ditches, creeks, roads, waste grounds and hedgerows.

What's it used for?

Young leaves can be added in small quantities to salads. The flavor can be used as a substitute for nutmeg and cinnamon. Tea can be made from the leaves and flowering stem, which has a bit of a lemon flavor, but it can be dangerous to do so (see risks below).

Small doses are used for medicinal purposes as well, as larger doses are toxic.

Tansy is used to treat digestive tract problems including stomach and intestinal ulcers, certain gallbladder conditions, gas, bloating, stomachache, stomach spasms, and poor appetite. Painful condition are treated as well, including migraines, nerve pain (neuralgia), joint pain (rheumatism) and sciatica; and for heart conditions including rapid heartbeat (palpitations) and fluid retention caused by congestive heart failure. It's also be used for epileptic seizures, colds, fever, hysteria, gout, kidney problems, and tuberculosis. It is also used to kill lice and bacteria; promote sweating; calm the nerves; and act as an antioxidant, tonic, and stimulant. pplied to the skin, it can treat scabies, itching, bruises, sores, sprains, swelling, freckles, inflammation, vaginal discharge, sunburn, toothache, tumors and as an insect repellent.

Women have used it to start menstruation or cause abortions. It's been used to treat roundworm and threadworm infections in children.

Are there any risks?

There are safety concerns for toxicity in large doses. Like absinthe/wormwood, tansy contains thujone. Some people have died taking just 10 drops of tansy oil, but the powdered forms or teas can also be consumed to dangerous levels causing death.

Side effects of tansy include restlessness, vomiting, severe diarrhea, stomach pain, dizziness, tremors, kidney or liver damage, bleeding, abortions in pregnant women, and seizures.

As mentioned for causing abortions, pregnant women should definitely avoid it, as should breast feeding women.

Those allergic to the Asteraceae/Compositae family of plants like ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, and many others should also consider being prone to allergic reactions to tansy.

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References:

• Tansy
• TANSY
• Tanacetum vulgare - L.
• Herb to Know: Tansy
• Tanacetum vulgare Tansy

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Previous posts on Getting to Know Herbs:
Absinthe or Wormwood | Nettle | Peppermint | Dandelion | Feverfew | Lemon Balm | Hawthorn | Chickweed | Northern Bayberry | Lady's Mantle | Hyssop | Burdock | Catnip | Lavender | Yarrow | Marshmallow | Skullcap | Codonopsis (Poor Man's Ginseng) | Schisandra | Rhodiola | Canadian Goldenrod | German Chamomile | Blue Vervain | Blessed or Holy Thistle | Common Horehound | Cayenne | Ashwagandha | Gotu Kola | Common Verbana/Vervain | Holy Basil | Sweet Annie | Globe Artichoke | Butterfly Weed / Pleurisy Root | Joe-Pye Weed / Gravel Root | Valerian | Malva/Mallow | Boneset | Elecampane | Lungwort | Cramp Bark | Motherwort | Common Plantain | Eleuthero (Siberian ginseng) | Black Cohosh | Common Bearberry | Mahonia Mountain Grape (Oregon Grape) | Blue Cohosh | Goldenseal

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