Tansy

 Herb? Garden perennial? Invasive weed? Beneficial or toxic? Perspective is everything. Tansy (Tanacetum Vulgare) is the name of the plant that is growing in my fields. Here's a little information about the Tansy plant:

The name “tansy” comes from the Greek word “athanasia,” which means “immortality.” Tansy was thought to confer immortality, so it was used for embalming.

Despite serious safety concerns, the parts of the tansy plant that grow above the ground are used to make medicine.

Tansy is used for digestive tract problems including stomach and intestinal ulcers, certain gallbladder conditions, gas, bloating, stomachache, stomach spasms, and poor appetite.

It is also used for painful conditions including migraines, nerve pain (neuralgia), joint pain (rheumatism) and sciatica; and for heart conditions including rapid heartbeat (palpitations) and fluid retention caused by congestive heart failure.

    cited from https://www.rxlist.com/tansy/supplements.htm

Tansy is considered beneficial in repelling insects (mosquitos, ants, flies) and garden pests (cabbage moth, asparagus and japanese beetles, potato and cucumber beetles, and mice), yet it is loved by honeybees and lady bugs.  It is also generally considered unsafe for livestock (and human) consumption so perhaps it will have to be removed from some of the fields.

I personally have not had any reaction to the plants with skin contact and I do not mind the smell of the plant when handled or crushed; I think it is fairly pleasant.  Also winter birds seem to love to eat seed from the strong stalks that remain exposed throughout the winter. Tansy will be welcome on my property - maybe just scaled back a bit.

references

https://www.growveg.com/guides/why-you-should-and-shouldnt-grow-tansy/

https://www.lovetoknow.com/home/garden/tansy

https://www.gardenia.net/plant/tanacetum-vulgare