Tanacetum vulgare

Other Botanical Names: Chrysanthemum vulgare

Common Name: Tansy

Family: Asteraceae (Aster family)

Parts used: Aerial parts, flowers

Constituents: Volatile oil (alpha-thujone, beta-thujone, camphor), sesquiterpene lactones (tanacetin), etc. Volatile oil is overall much more toxic than crude herb or other preparations

Taste/smell: Aromatic, bitter, spicy?

Tendencies: Warming?

Actions

• Bitter tonic

• Aromatic

• Digestive stimulant/Carminative

• Mild choleretic

• Antispasmodic

• Emmenagogue (stimulates or increases menstrual flow)

• Abortifacient (induces abortion)/Fetotoxic (harms fetus)

• Vermifuge/Anthelmintic (kills parasites)

Uses

Internal:

• Non-ulcer dyspepsia (indigestion or maldigestion) with flatulence, burping, heartburn, minor cramps, etc.

• Biliary insufficiency

• Biliary dyskinesia

• Loss of appetite

• Anorexia

• Gas

• Atonic constipation

• Hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid)

• Primary dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) in low doses

• Secondary amenorrhea (ceased menstruation) and oligomenorrhea (infrequent or scanty menstruation) in low doses

• Intestinal parasites (especially pinworms) (as enema)

Topical:

• Minor cuts and wounds (as a poultice)

• Rheumatic pains (as a liniment that contains tansy oil)

• Insect-repellent against moths and fleas (powdered flowers)

Dosage

• Tincture (1:1, 25%): 10-50 drops (0.5-2 mL) TID

• Tea infusion: 1 tbsp per cup

• Capsules: 0.5-2 g of dried herb TID

Contraindications

• Pregnancy due to its emmenagogue, uterine stimulant, abortifacient, and/or teratogenic effects

• Nursing mothers

• Avoid use to volatile oil

• Avoid use in high doses

• Avoid long-term use

• Active duodenal ulcers

• Gastritis

• Hyperchlorhydria

• GERD

• Biliary obstruction

• Acute diarrhea

• Acute cholelithiasis

• Allergic hypersensitivity to Asteraceae family (i.e. arnica, chamomile, feverfew, ragweed, tansy, yarrow) causes allergic contact dermatitis

Adverse Effects

• Convulsions

• Arrhythmia

• Tachypnea

• Vomiting

• Rigid pupils

• Diarrhea

• GI pain

• Uterine bleeding

• Flushing

• Loss of consciousness

Toxicity

• Abortifacient and fetotoxic

• Possibly carcinogenic in long-term use due to the thujone and camphor in volatile oil

Interactions

• None known