Garden Tour

Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare )

The seeds, root, leaves, and flowers of the Tansy plant had beneficial properties, whether mixed in cakes or egg dishes, powdered, or boiled. Tansy was used to treat worms, bowel pains, cramps, colic, gout, and aching joints. The astringent quality of the leaves made it effective treatment for wounds, sunburns, pimples, and freckles, as well as a gargle which eased the pain of sore gums and toothaches.

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Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus )

Uses in salads and as a seasoning, Tarragon also had drying properties beneficial for treating those with the flux or any discharge.

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Salad Burnet (Sanguisorba minor )

In addition to its frequent inclusion in salads, the leaves, stalks, and roots of Salad Burnet could be boiled, distilled, powdered, or formed into an ointment to treat numerous wounds and ailments of the body. Salad Burnet was used to staunch internal and external bleeding and protect the heart and body from infection and contagious diseases. The stalks and leaves put into wine were believed to perk up the spirits and relieve melancholy.

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Houseleek (Sempervivum tectorum )

The juice from the leaves of Houseleeks had astringent and cooling properties, applied as an ointment to reduce fevers and relieve the pain of burns, scalds, inflammations, shingles, ulcers, ringworm, gout, headache, and bee stings. The juice was also an effective treatment for corns and warts on the hands and feet.

10/02