Tanacetum vulgare
Tansy has a long history of use, but it is quite toxic. It was first recorded as being cultivated by the ancientGreeks for medicinal purposes. In the 8th century AD it was grown in the herb gardens ofCharlemagne and by Benedictine monks of the monastery of Saint Gall. Tansy was used to treat intestinal worms, rheumatism, digestive problems, fevers, sores, and to “bring out” measles.
During the Middle Ages and later, high doses were used to induce abortions.Contradictorily, tansy was also used to help women conceive and to prevent miscarriages. In the 15th century, Christians began serving tansy with Lentenmeals ('Tansy pudding') to commemorate the bitter herbs eaten by the Israelites.Tansy was thought to have the added Lenten benefits of controlling flatulence brought on by days of eating fish and pulses and of preventing the intestinal worms believed to be caused by eating fish during Lent.
Tansy was used as a face wash and was reported to lighten and purify the skin. In the 19th century, Irish folklore suggested that bathing in a solution of tansy and salts would cure joint pain. Although most of its medicinal uses have been discredited, tansy is still a component of some medicines and is listed by the United States Pharmacopeia as a treatment for fevers, feverish colds, and jaundice
Tansy can be used as in companion planting, and for biological pest control in organic gardens and sustainable agriculture. During the Restoration, a "tansy" was a sweet omelette flavoured with tansy juice. In the BBC documentary "The Supersizers go ... Restoration", Allegra McEvedy described the flavour as "fruity, sharpness to it and then there's a sort of explosion of cool heat a bit like peppermint."[25] However, the programme's presenter Sue Perkins experienced tansy toxicity.(see Wikipedia for more.)
Tansy can be used to give a yellow dye; part to use for dyeing; leaves before flower heads appear; or flower heads as they open. Mordant; Alum
bare-rooted plants that will spread quickly, now available
