medicinal herbs
Mountain Tansy Mustard
Descurainia incana
Herb: Mountain Tansy Mustard
Latin name: Descurainia incana
Synonyms: Descurainia richardsonii, Sophia incisa
Family: Cruciferae
Medicinal use of Mountain Tansy Mustard:
The plant has been used as a lotion for parts of the body that have become frozen in the cold and also as a lotion for sore throats. No more information is given, but it is likely that the crushed seed was used for this since, being similar to mustard, it will probably have a rubefacient effect upon the skin, drawing more blood to that area of the body and thereby heating it. The plant is mashed and applied to bad cuts.Description of the plant:
Plant:
Annual/BiennialHeight:
100 cm(3 1/4 foot)
Flowering:
June toAugust
Habitat of the herb:
Found in many habitats at lower mountain elevations.Edible parts of Mountain Tansy Mustard:
Young leaves - cooked. A bitter taste. Seed - raw or cooked. The seed can be used as a mustard substitute in soups, stews etc. It can be roasted, ground into a powder then mixed with water to make a fine batter and drunk. The seed is also ground into a meal and mixed with cereal flours when making bread, or as a thickening for soups etc.Propagation of the herb:
Seed - sow spring in situ.Cultivation of Mountain Tansy Mustard:
Found in many habitats at lower mountain elevations.Known hazards of Descurainia incana:
None knownPlant information taken from the Plants For A Future.