Practical
Plants

Tanacetum vulgare

Tansy

a perennial member of the Tanacetum genus in the family Compositae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
1 m
Spread
1.5 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Bees, Flies, Beetles, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Flies, Beetles, Self

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The plant is poisonous if large quantities are ingested[11][15][30]. There have been cases of death in N. America from drinking strong brews of the tea, presumably as an abortifacient[14].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Young leaflets - raw or cooked[24][29][4][25][26]. They can be added in small quantities to salads[10]. The plant is also used as a flavouring, it is a substitute for nutmeg and cinnamon[3][20][21][27][2]. This plant is not recommended for internal use[12]. The flowers have a unique flavour and are eaten or used as a garnish[10]. A bitter, somewhat lemon-flavoured tea is made from the leaves and flowering stems[10].

Product or use
Condiment
Product or use
Tea
Plant part
Flowers
Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Tansy is a commonly grown domestic remedy, useful in treating a wide range of complaints, though it is little used in modern herbalism[22][19]. Its main value is as a vermifuge to expel intestinal worms and, to a lesser degree, to help stimulate menstrual bleeding[19]. Tansy should be used with caution, however, it is possibly unsafe for internal use, especially if you are pregnant[18]. The essential oil in the leaves is toxic and as little as ½oz can kill an adult[15][17]. The leaves and flowering tops are anthelmintic, antispasmodic, bitter, carminative, emmenagogue, stimulant and tonic[22][29][31][15][23][6]. An infusion of the leaves or whole plant is used to treat menstrual irregularities and as an anthelmintic, especially for children[22][16]. It is also valuable in treating hysteria, kidney weaknesses, stomach problems, fevers and also as an emmenagogue[22]. In larger doses the plant can procure an abortion, though these doses can be poisonous[16]. Externally, tansy is used as a poultice on swellings and some eruptive skin diseases[22]. It is also used externally to kill lice, fleas and scabies, though even external use of the plant carries the risk of toxicity[19]. The plant is harvested as it is coming into flower and is dried for later use[22]. The seeds are used as an anthelmintic[14].

Product or use
Anthelmintic
Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Bitter
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Emmenagogue
Product or use
Poultice
Product or use
Stimulant
Product or use
Tonic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A green dye is obtained from the young shoots[22][2]. The leaves and flowers can also be used and a yellow can also be obtained[7]. The plant is used as a strewing herb in cellars, churches etc in order to repel insects[22][5][11][28][13][18]. Both the growing and the dried plant are said to repel flies, ants and fleas, especially if they are mixed with elder leaves (Sambucus spp.)[22][3][5][9][12][13]. The leaves and the flowering shoots contain 0.15% of an essential oil that contains camphor, borneol and thujone[29][16]. Both the leaves and the oil and they have been used to kill fleas and lice[16]. Thujone is an effective insecticide, but it is highly toxic to mammals when taken in excess[18]. The plant is a good addition to the compost heap, being valued for its mineral content[12].

Product or use
Compost
Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Essential
Product or use
Insecticide
Product or use
Repellent
Product or use
Strewing

Environment

Range
Most of Europe, including Britain, to the Caucasus, Armenia and Siberia.
Habitat
A common plant of waste ground, hedgerows etc[8].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind
Wind
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. Only just cover the seed and do not allow the pot to dry out. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and plant out in the summer. Division is very simple at almost any time in the growing season, though spring is probably best. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the summer or the following spring.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in an ordinary garden soil[1]. Plants thrive in almost any soil[22]. Tansy is occasionally grown in the herb garden, though a site for growing this plant should be selected with care since it usually spreads very aggressively at the roots[22][5]. There are some named varieties[18]. 'Fernleaf' is a more decorative compact form to about 75cm, it does not spread so quickly. A good plant to grow in the orchard, when grown under fruit trees, raspberries, roses etc it repels insects from them[13]. The flowering plant attracts hoverflies and butterflies.

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain.

    ↩1↩2

  3. Loewenfeld. C. and Back. P. Britain's Wild Larder. David and Charles ISBN 0-7153-7971-2

    ↩1↩2

  4. Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-600-33545-3

    ↩

  5. Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-262-7

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

    ↩

  7. Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden.

    ↩

  8. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩

  9. Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins 1979-00-00

    ↩

  10. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  11. Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-88266-064-0

    ↩1↩2

  12. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  13. Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-304-34324-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

  14. Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-8160-2624-6

    ↩1↩2

  15. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

  16. Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  17. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩

  18. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  19. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2↩3

  20. Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8

    ↩

  21. Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. 1878-00-00

    ↩

  22. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10↩11

  23. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  24. Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219060-5

    ↩

  25. Larkcom. J. Salads all the Year Round. Hamlyn 1980-00-00

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  26. De. Bray. L. The Wild Garden.

    ↩

  27. Harris. B. C. Eat the Weeds. Pivot Health 1973-00-00

    ↩

  28. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

  29. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  30. Cooper. M. and Johnson. A. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. HMSO 1984-00-00 ISBN 0112425291

    ↩

  31. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

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