Tansy

Tansy

Té de San Pedro

Tanacetum vulgare

oshkiniigikwe-aniibiish (young woman's tea) (Densmore: o'ckinigi 'kweani 'bic)
oshkinii(gi)kwebagoons
(Smith: muckiki 'wit, muckiki 'wit)

Maskosiy ka-wihcikahk (Ile-a-la-Crosse Michif , Belcourt)

Tansy is a Eurasian species that has become naturalized across the eastern United States and Canada. Although it is in the Aster family, it does not have the 1 petal-like flowers. Instead, the flowering parts look like golden buttons, set in a flat-topped array. Tansies grow from 1 to 4 1/2 feet tall and have very dissected, fern-like leaves. They are found in clumps along roadsides, old fields, and other frequently disturbed areas.
(Plants used by the Great Lakes Ojibwa)
______________________________________________________________________________

A perennial creeping root introduced from northern Europe. Tough slightly ribbed stems reach a height of 2 - 3 ft, terminating in flat, button-like, gold-coloured heads of rayless florets. Flowers look like the petals have been pulled off. Dark green, deeply cleft, fernlike leaves, 6 - 8 inches long, 4 in broad. Grows in roadsides. Crushed leaves and flowers have aromatic smell and bitter taste.
(Indian Herbalogy of North America)
______________________________________________________________________________

The Ojibwa used an infusion of the leaves to break a fever, a decoction of leaves as an abortifacient, a decoction of the root to treat ear infections, and chewed the dry root to help a sore throat.
(Plants used by the Great Lakes Ojibwa)
______________________________________________________________________________

Tonic, emmenagogue, diaphoretic, stimulant
(Indian Herbalogy of North America)
______________________________________________________________________________

Affects the digestive system. A decoction of roots gargled, or the roots dried and chewed used for fevers, for ulcerated sore throat, and for diseases of women... a weak decoction of the root made and dropped into the ear lukewarm for earaches... a decoction made of leaves given as a 'regulator' for young girls.
(Strength of the Earth)
______________________________________________________________________________

Internally it is given to treat worms and to promote sweating and break fevers. Externally, tansy has been used to treat swelling, tumours, inflammations, cuts and bruises. Caution: Large doses cause severe adverse reactions including comas. Pregnant women should avoid tansy as it can cause miscarriages.
(Medicines to help us)

Plants used by the Great Lakes Ojibwa, Meeker, Elias and Heim, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, Odanah, WI, 1993