TANSY

Latin Name: Tanacetum vulgare

Alternate Names: Prince Of Wales Feathers, Stinking Willie, Bitter Buttons, Beggar's Buttons

Family: ASTERACEAE

Parts Used: Flowering tops.

Properties: Abortifacient, Anthelmintic, Aromatic, Bitter Tonic, Carminative, Diaphoretic, Emmenagogue, Insecticide, Nervine, Tonic, Vermifuge.

Internal Uses: Amenorrhea, Dysmenorrhea, Hysteria, Jaundice, Nausea, Pinworm, Rheumatism, Roundworms, Worms

Internal Applications: Tea, Tincture, Capsules.

Tansy activates the spleen, stomach and uterus, cleanses the liver and kidneys, and kills parasites. Keep in mind that herbs that have strong activity against parasites should be used cautiously as they often have toxic side effects.

Topical Uses: Bruises, Fleas, Insect Repellent, Lice, Rheumatism, Scabies, Sprains, Sunburn

Topical Applications: Use as a lotion for fleas, lice and scabies. Used to repel ants, bed bugs, Colorado potato beetle, fleas, moths and mice. Has even been placed under rugs, between sheets and used as a strewing herb. Use as an astringent facial toner and steam. Compress for bruises, sprains, sunburn and rheumatism. 

Culinary uses: This bitter spring green is edible in small amounts. It was considered a bitter herb of Passover and also used to remember the suffering of Jesus. Tansy pudding was eaten during Lent in England. Leaves have been added to omelets, cakes, pancakes and fish. Leaves were once rubbed on meat to deter flies. Used in Chartreuse. 

Energetics: Bitter, Pungent, Warm.

Chemical Constituents: Essential oil (borneol, thujone, camphor), sesquiterpene lactones, pyrethrins, flavonoids (quercitin, jaceidin), vitamin C, citric acid, butyric acid, oxalic acid, malic acid, resin, tannins.

Contraindications: Use only with advice from a competent health professional. Avoid during pregnancy as it can induce abortion. Potentially toxic to central nervous system. Large doses may elevate pulse, cause vomiting, convulsions and even coma. Avoid in cases of epilepsy. Do not use for extended periods. Can be irritating to some skins. Tends to take over in gardens. 

Comments: The name Tansy and tanacetum are derived from a Greek legend about a youth named Ganymede, who was given Tansy to drink. It made him him immortal so he could better serve Zeus as his cup-bearer. The name of the drink was athanasia. It also symbolizes immortality as its dried flowers are long lasting. It was used to preserve and embalm the dead until the time of the American Revolution.