Tansy - Side Effects and Health Benefits

Botanical Name of Tansy: Tanacetum vulgare.

Other Common Names:
Buttons, common tansy, wild tansy, gold leaf tansy, ginger plant, bitter buttons, hineheel, scented fern, stinking willie. The common name, tansy, is likely derived from Greek words meaning “immortal”, which may refer to the long-lasting flowers or its traditional use in preserving dead bodies.

Habitat:
Although tansy is native to temperate regions of Europe and Asia, it has been introduced throughout the world and grows wild in North America. This hardy, sun-loving plant is resistant to cold and frost and commonly grows in open areas close to water, such as roadsides and ditches.

Description:
Tanacetum vulgare is a member of the aster family, producing flat, bright yellow, button-like flowers in late summer. Its alternating leaves are divided into paired serrated segments, giving them a fernlike appearance. Plants reach a height of up to 3 feet. Tansy can spread quickly as it is a self-sowing perennial that is easily propagated by dividing the plant. The flowers are strongly scented with an aroma that has been compared with camphor. This plant can be highly toxic and is rarely used by modern herbalists.

Plant Parts Used:
Leaves, used fresh or dried, and flowers.

The Tansy Plant
(Tanacetum vulgare)
(Click on image to enlarge)
Attribution:Georg Slickers

Tansy Extracts, Root and Tincture

Organic Tansy Herb by Starwest Botanicals Tansy Herb Tincture by Alternative Health & Herbs

Therapeutic Uses, Benefits and Claims of Tansy

• Historically, the most common medicinal use of tansy was as an abortifacient. It naturally stimulates blood flow to the pelvis and uterus (emmenagogue) and was used to bring on menstruation or abort an unwanted pregnancy.
• Tanacetum vulgare is an herbal remedy for treating worms as it contains a volatile oil with the active ingredients thujone, camphor and myrtenol, which are toxic to internal parasites. In the past, tansy was frequently used to treat worms in children and it was also added to coffins to slow the deterioration of the deceased by repelling worms.
• Today, tansy is most commonly used as a natural insect repellent and companion plant in vegetable gardens. However, its repellent nature has long been recognized. Tansy has been used externally as an herbal remedy for scabies, fleas and lice. In the Middle Ages, it was strewn across floors, hung from rafters and slipped under bed sheets to discourage pests.
• Tansy contains the compound parthenolide, which is also found in feverfew and is thought to help in the prevention of migraines.
• When applied as a poultice, tansy is a natural treatment for skin infections and can be used to relieve sprains and reduce swelling.
• Historic records also indicate that tansy has been used as a natural face wash to lighten skin.
• Other medicinal uses of tansy include the treatment of colic, gout and plague.


The Medicinal Herb Tansy
(Tanacetum vulgare)
Prof. Dr. Otto Wilhelm Thomé
Flora von Deutschland, Österreich
und der Schweiz - 1885,

Dosage and Administration

Tansy contains a volatile oil with the active ingredient thujone, which can be toxic in the wrong dosage. The percentage of thujone in the oil is unpredictable as it varies greatly between plants. This variability seems to be related to genetic rather than environmental factors, which makes it very challenging to determine dosage. Each plant would need to be tested for thujone concentrations. Origon grape tincture: Take 1/2–3/4 teaspoon (3 ml) 3 times per day. To use topically, use an ointment with 10% Oregon Grape extract applied 3 or more times daily.

A tea infusion can be prepared by pouring one cup of boiling water over 1 teaspoonful of the dried tansy. Leave to infuse for 10 - 15 minutes and drink twice daily. The tea is strong and bitter in taste.

Tansy may also be found as a tincture; 1-2 ml taken three times daily.

The fresh green leaves can be pounded and applied as a poultice.

Side Effects and Possible Interactions of Tansy

Tansy should only be used in the hands of an expert as an incorrect dosage can be highly toxic, causing hallucinations, spasms, convulsions, and even death. In most cases, alternative herbal remedies exist. Due to its emmenagogue properties, tansy should not be taken while pregnant as it can lead to miscarriage.

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