Today it is only used in homeopathy, but it had a firm place in traditional folk medicine and was even considered a means of warding off demons. In late summer, tansy adorns roadsides, riverbanks, floodplains and scree slopes with its button-like, dark yellow flowers.
Occurrence and cultivation of the tansy fern
Tanacetum vulgare belongs to the so-called compass plants, which orient themselves to the heat radiation of the sun and orient their leaves to the south. The tansy (lat. Tanacetum vulgare) belongs to the family of composite plants. The proliferating herbaceous plant, which grows between 60 and 130 cm high, is very robust and remains green even in winter. Its dark green, pinnate leaves and the bright yellow flower heads that shine from June to September are unmistakable. Essential oils such as camphor, thujone and borneol give the plant its typical fragrance. Tanacetum vulgare belongs to the so-called compass plants, which orient themselves to the heat radiation of the sun and orient their leaves to the south. It loves nutrient-rich, weakly alkaline, humic soils and is widespread throughout Eurasia. Tansy is potentially poisonous (more or less depending on the species) and should therefore be used with caution. The popular name “worm herb” attests to its importance in traditional folk medicine as a remedy for worm infestations.
Effect and application
A tea made from the leaves and flowers of tansy was considered a proven household remedy not only against roundworms and pinworms a good 100 years ago. It was also used for rheumatism and bladder problems, stomach cramps and colic. Saint Hildegard mentions it as a remedy for menstrual cramps and nasal catarrh. Paracelsus used the seeds of the plant as a bath additive to relieve kidney grits. Applied externally as a poultice, the herb performed well for joint pain, blunt injuries, bruises, rheumatism and varicose veins. In case of severe toothache, a mouthwash made from tansy is said to bring relief. Even in the case of louse and flea infestation, people used to boil a decoction of tansy and wash their heads thoroughly with it several times. However, doubts about the reliability of the effect are appropriate in this case. Because of its intensely spicy aroma, tansy was even used in the Middle Ages as a seasoning for meat dishes, egg dishes and desserts. According to a Germanic custom, at Easter the youth consumed healing breads baked with tansy. They were supposed to strengthen the immune system. The main constituents of the plant are its essential oils as well as bitter substances, inulin and resins. The highest proportion of essential oils, up to 70 percent, is the highly toxic thujone. It can cause violent convulsions and conditions up to coma and induces frenzy, increased salivation and sometimes even epilepsy in animals. When administered in large quantities, tansy is said to cause nausea, diarrhea and vomiting, and even fatal poisoning. Like many plants containing thujone, it has often been used to deliberately induce abortion. On the skin, tansy can cause contact allergies. In addition to the main active ingredient, parthenolide, a number of other ingredients are responsible for this. For flower growers and florists, handling the plant can thus become a problem. Because of its toxicity, it should – despite its many positive properties – in principle only be used strongly diluted, externally or in finished preparations.
Significance for health, treatment and prevention.
In homeopathy, the remedy Tanacetum vulgare still has its place today. The drug picture describes symptoms such as menstrual cramps, headaches, fatigue, irritability, nervousness, dizziness, tinnitus, nausea, motor restlessness and general upset. Tanacetum vulgare has beneficial effects in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. It is even successfully used in severe inflammation of the digestive organs and bloody diarrhea. Esotericism and alternative healing methods use the psychoactive, intoxicating effect of the essential oil thujone contained in tansy for incense. The herb develops a slightly bitter, earthy scent when smoked and is said to transport the spirit to higher spheres. It is said to strengthen self-confidence, as well as nerves and immune system. With electrosmog and radiation exposure of all kinds, it should bring relief and mitigate the charge of the atmosphere during thunderstorms (it therefore also bears the nicknames thunder herb and lightning herb).In the Middle Ages, small children were kept in such tansy smoke, so that they develop healthy, lively and strong. But beware: pregnant women should definitely refrain from smoking tansy! Already in ancient Egypt people knew about the special effects of the plant. It was used for embalming mummies, because the tannic acids contained protect the body to a certain extent from the decomposition process. Even in colonial America, tansy was still placed in coffins for this reason. Insects do not seem to like the smell of the plant at all – they keep away from it. Thus, in the past, people deliberately planted tansy in fields to drive away potato beetles. A study shows that this actually reduced beetle infestation by 60 to 100 percent. In the Middle Ages, the herb was hung on windows and doors to protect against flies and moths. In addition to its importance in medicine and mythology, the plant also has a very practical application as a dye: together with alum as a mordant, the flower heads of the tansy yield a strong dark yellow. About 400 grams of fresh flowers are needed for 100 grams of wool.
