Witchy Wednesdays - Tansy

Tansy are Dandelion like flowers of the compositae family, native to Europe and growing to about 2 feet tall with yellow bunched up flowers and fern like leaves. The name of this plant may have derived from the Greek word Athanaton meaning immortal. According to legend, it was given to Ganymede to make him immortal.Tansy may be used for getting rid of worms, one ounce of herb steeped in one pint of hot water drunk as a tea twice a day. This same remedy is employed for kidney and nervous troubles and low grade fevers. It is also said to calm the stomach and relieve gas.Tansy cake and puddings made from the young leaves were once traditional fare at the end of Lent Tansy is used in spells, charms and potions for longevity.Tansy oil has been used to dress the dead, and wreaths of tansy are suitable funeral decorations.Do not confuse tansy with tansy ragwort which has ray flowers and does not have sharp toothed leaves. Tansy ragwort is highly toxic