Wholesale Tansy

01.
A Bit of Botany

a little botanical information about tansy

description
Tanacetum vulgare is a perennial, herbaceous flowering plant of the Asteraceae family.

The plant's erect stem is stout and somewhat reddish. It is usually smooth, growing 50–150 cm in height, and branching near the top.

Tansy features finely divided compound leaves 10-15 cm in length. The leaves are alternate, and are pinnately lobed. They are divided almost to the center into about seven pairs of segments (lobes), which are again divided into smaller lobes with saw-toothed edges. This gives the leaf an almost fernlike appearance.

The yellow flower heads are produced in terminal clusters from mid-to-late summer. The blooms are yellow, roundish, flat-topped, and button-like. The scent is similar to that of camphor with hints of rosemary.

common names & nomenclature
The common name tansy is derived from the Old French tanesie (13th century, Modern French tanaisie), from Latin tanacetum which means "wormwood," from a shortened form of Greek athanasia which means "immortality”.

Also known as:
golden buttons, cow bitter, tansy, common tansy, bitter buttons, mugwort

02.
Where in the World

habitat and range for tansy

Tanacetum vulgare is native to temperate Europe and Asia. It has been introduced to other parts of the world and in some areas has become invasive.

03.
Cultivation & Harvesting

considerations for growing and harvesting tansy

climate
Tansy is a common plant of waste ground, hedgerows, and herb gardens. It grows in full sun.

soil
Will succeed in any typical garden soil.

growing
Tansy is an invasive aggressive grower; therefore the plant's garden location should be chosen with this in mind. Division is very simple at almost any time in the growing season, though spring is probably best. Tansy can also grow via seed— it should be sown in spring in a greenhouse and grow on until large enough to pot up individually. Plant out the following summer in the garden.

harvesting
Tansy is harvested as it is coming into flower and is dried for later use.

preserving
Store dried tansy in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

cautions
Thoroughly research before growing and harvesting. Care should be taken when handling the plant. There are also toxic warnings on ingestion. Not for consumption!

04.
The Rest of the Story

additional information

Formulas & recipes
The tansy herb is not recommended for internal use due to its high toxicity. So, a tansy tincture or tea is no longer used for internal treatments.

What is tansy used for?
Though it is not recommended that tansy herb be ingested, this herb is still effective in other ways. Tansy herb is used to protect plants from natural predators, so garden use is encouraged! Tansy can be used at home to make natural pesticides and flea deterrents.

How to make tansy tea
This herb is not used internally due to high toxicity. Use caution when handling and keep away from children and pets.

Health benefits
Tansy herb benefits
Tansy herb contains what is called eucalyptol, which protects plants from natural predators. The tansy herb also contains Myrtenol, which uses pheromones to attract insects and pests to traps.

Where to buy tansy
Tansy herb can be purchased here in quarter-pound or pound quantities.