Herb Tansy Seed - Perennial

Where to Sow Tansy Seeds

Can be grown in a site of average, moist, garden soil and full sun, though will tolerate partial shade.  Plant in permanent position in July.

What to do next

Can be propegated by root division in second year.

MEDICINAL USES

The fresh or dried flowering stems were used to expel round worms, to aid digestion and as a throat gargle Externally, the extracted oil was used for rheumatic pains.
It has excellent insect repellent properties. If planted near peach trees it will keep away harmful flying insects. All old sweet bag recipes against moths included Tansy. In the Middle Ages, Tansy and other herbs took over from rushes for strewing. Tansy has many ancient connections with immortality, deathless-ness and preservation.  Fresh Tansy leaves with a fixative makes a yellow dye. The dried flower may be used for winter arrangements and pot pourri.

USES

Tansy can be used in small amounts in cooking.  It has a strong, peppery taste and can be used as a substitute for pepper. It compliments scrambled eggs and omelets, herb butters, and marinades. It can be used fresh or minced.

IMPORTANT NOTE
Don't ingest Tansy at all if pregnant and don't grow it if you are near any type of farm with grazing animals.  Although this is a pretty plant to look at, there are a lot of downsides to growing Tansy, so unless growing a very specialized garden in which Tansy is an important element, most of us should really find other alternatives in the average home garden setting.