Tansy is a perennial that originated in
Europe and was used medicinally in the past. In addition to repelling
pests, tansy can replenish the soil with potassium.
Tansy is often used as a companion plant in the garden as it repels
many pests, and it has even been used in the past to kill parasites
internally in humans and animals, although now is considered toxic to ingest.
Tansy grows well as a border or edging. Once they are established, tansy plants require little attention.
Harvest a bunch of tansy leaves and hang indoors to serve as a fly repellent. The leaves and flowers of tansy also can be used to create colored dyes.
Back in the 8th century, tansy was grown by the Benedictine monks in Switzerland and in Charlemagne’s herb gardens. It was commonly used as a remedy for parasites and intestinal worms. Tansy was also used to treat a variety of other conditions including rheumatism, digestive disorders, fevers, sores and measles.
During the 15th and 16th centuries, tansy was added to Lenten meals by the Christians to commemorate the Israelites and the bitter herbs that they ate. It is also supposed that they added tansy to the meals to help control flatulence which developed from many days of eating pulses and to help prevent parasites from eating so many fish during the Lent period.
Tansy has also been used to wash the face and is supposed to have helped purify and lighten the skin. During the 19th century in Ireland, folk use recommended bathing in a liquid solution made with salts and tansy to cure rheumatism and other forms of joint pain.
NOT to be ingested unless under the guidance of a qualified naturopath. The leaves and flowers are toxic if consumed in large quantities; the volatile oil consists of toxic compounds including thujone, which can cause convulsions and liver and brain damage.All our herbs are organically grown in a recycled or compostable pot.
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