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Uses

Toxic parts

The plant is poisonous if large quantities are ingested[1][2][3]. There have been cases of death in N. America from drinking strong brews of the tea, presumably as an abortifacient[4].

Edible uses

Notes

Young leaflets - raw or cooked[5][6][7][8][9]. 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[11][12][13][14][15]. This plant is not recommended for internal use[16].

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].

Unknown part

Flowers

Leaves

Material uses

A green dye is obtained from the young shoots[17][15]. The leaves and flowers can also be used and a yellow can also be obtained[18].

The plant is used as a strewing herb in cellars, churches etc in order to repel insects[17][19][1][20][21][22]. 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.)[17][11][19][23][16][21]. The leaves and the flowering shoots contain 0.15% of an essential oil that contains camphor, borneol and thujone[6][24]. Both the leaves and the oil and they have been used to kill fleas and lice[24]. Thujone is an effective insecticide, but it is highly toxic to mammals when taken in excess[22].

The plant is a good addition to the compost heap, being valued for its mineral content[16].

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Tansy is a commonly grown domestic remedy, useful in treating a wide range of complaints, though it is little used in modern herbalism[17][25]. Its main value is as a vermifuge to expel intestinal worms and, to a lesser degree, to help stimulate menstrual bleeding[25]. Tansy should be used with caution, however, it is possibly unsafe for internal use, especially if you are pregnant[22]. The essential oil in the leaves is toxic and as little as ½oz can kill an adult[2][26].

The leaves and flowering tops are anthelmintic, antispasmodic, bitter, carminative, emmenagogue, stimulant and tonic[17][6][27][2][28][29]. An infusion of the leaves or whole plant is used to treat menstrual irregularities and as an anthelmintic, especially for children[17][24]. It is also valuable in treating hysteria, kidney weaknesses, stomach problems, fevers and also as an emmenagogue[17]. In larger doses the plant can procure an abortion, though these doses can be poisonous[24]. Externally, tansy is used as a poultice on swellings and some eruptive skin diseases[17]. It is also used externally to kill lice, fleas and scabies, though even external use of the plant carries the risk of toxicity[25]. The plant is harvested as it is coming into flower and is dried for later use[17].

The seeds are used as an anthelmintic[4].

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

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.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Tanacetum vulgare. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Succeeds in an ordinary garden soil[30]. Plants thrive in almost any soil[17].

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[17][19]. There are some named varieties[22]. '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[21].

The flowering plant attracts hoverflies and butterflies.

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Tanacetum vulgare. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Tanacetum vulgare.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Tanacetum vulgare
Genus
Tanacetum
Family
Compositae
Imported References
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
4
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
Soil Texture
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
  • Strong wind
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
None listed.
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
?
Herbaceous or Woody
?
Life Cycle
Growth Rate
?
Mature Size
Fertility
Pollinators
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type

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"image:Illustration Tanacetum vulgare0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Illustration Tanacetum vulgare0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


"image:Illustration Tanacetum vulgare0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Illustration Tanacetum vulgare0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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References

  1. ? 1.01.11.2 Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. ISBN 0-88266-064-0 (1978-00-00)
  2. ? 2.02.12.22.3 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
  3. ? Cooper. M. and Johnson. A. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. HMSO ISBN 0112425291 (1984-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.14.2 Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. ISBN 0-8160-2624-6 (1993-00-00)
  5. ? 5.05.1 Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins ISBN 0-00-219060-5 (1974-00-00)
  6. ? 6.06.16.26.36.46.5 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)
  7. ? 7.07.1 Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-33545-3 (1975-00-00)
  8. ? 8.08.1 Larkcom. J. Salads all the Year Round. Hamlyn (1980-00-00)
  9. ? 9.09.1 De. Bray. L. The Wild Garden. ()
  10. ? 10.010.110.210.3 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
  11. ? 11.011.111.211.3 Loewenfeld. C. and Back. P. Britain's Wild Larder. David and Charles ISBN 0-7153-7971-2 ()
  12. ? 12.012.1 Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8 ()
  13. ? 13.013.1 Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. (1878-00-00)
  14. ? 14.014.1 Harris. B. C. Eat the Weeds. Pivot Health (1973-00-00)
  15. ? 15.015.115.215.3 Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain. ()
  16. ? 16.016.116.216.316.416.5 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  17. ? 17.0017.0117.0217.0317.0417.0517.0617.0717.0817.0917.1017.1117.12 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
  18. ? 18.018.1 Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden. ()
  19. ? 19.019.119.219.3 Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press ISBN 0-87857-262-7 (1979-00-00)
  20. ? 20.020.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
  21. ? 21.021.121.221.3 Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-304-34324-2 (1993-00-00)
  22. ? 22.022.122.222.322.422.5 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
  23. ? 23.023.1 Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins (1979-00-00)
  24. ? 24.024.124.224.324.424.5 Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books ISBN 0-449-90589-6 (1980-00-00)
  25. ? 25.025.125.225.3 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
  26. ? 26.026.1 Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0395467225 (1990-00-00)
  27. ? 27.027.1 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
  28. ? 28.028.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
  29. ? 29.029.1 Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. ()
  30. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  31. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)

"image:Illustration Tanacetum vulgare0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

Facts about "Tanacetum vulgare"RDF feed
Article is incompleteYes +
Article requires citationsNo +
Article requires cleanupYes +
Belongs to familyCompositae +
Belongs to genusTanacetum +
Has common nameTansy +
Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
Has edible partUnknown part +, Flowers + and Leaves +
Has edible useSeasoning +, Unknown use + and Tea +
Has environmental toleranceHigh wind +
Has fertility typeSelf fertile +, Bee +, Flies +, Beetles + and Self +
Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
Has hardiness zone4 +
Has imageIllustration Tanacetum vulgare0.jpg +
Has lifecycle typePerennial +
Has material partUnknown part +
Has material useCompost +, Dye +, Essential +, Insecticide +, Repellent + and Strewing +
Has mature height1 +
Has mature width1.5 +
Has medicinal partUnknown part +
Has medicinal useAnthelmintic +, Antispasmodic +, Bitter +, Carminative +, Emmenagogue +, Poultice +, Stimulant + and Tonic +
Has primary imageIllustration Tanacetum vulgare0.jpg +
Has search nametanacetum vulgare + and x +
Has shade toleranceNo shade +
Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
Has sun preferenceFull sun +
Has taxonomy nameTanacetum vulgare +
Has water requirementsmoderate +
Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
Tolerates windYes +
Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +