Pharmacological Actions

Anti-inflammatory^{[2, 11, 12, 13]}

Antimicrobial^{[1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11, 12, 13]}

Antioxidant^{[2, 4, 7, 11, 12, 13]}

Antispasmodic^{[11, 12, 13]}

Antispasmodic (cramp easing)

Digestive aid^{[11, 12, 13]}

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Arthritis / joint pain^{[11, 12, 13]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →

Bloating^{[11, 12, 13]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from digestive action

more plants for bloating →detailed sources →

Indigestion^{[11, 12, 13]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from digestive action

more plants for indigestion →detailed sources →

Infection (general)^{[6, 11, 12, 13]}Traditional · 2/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

more plants for infection (general) →detailed sources →

Inflammation (general)^{[11, 12, 13]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →

Menstrual cramps^{[11, 12, 13]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from antispasmodic action

more plants for menstrual cramps →detailed sources →

Muscle spasm^{[11, 12, 13]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from antispasmodic action

more plants for muscle spasm →detailed sources →

Skin irritation^{[11, 12, 13]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →

Wounds^{[11, 12, 13]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

more plants for wounds →detailed sources →

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note^{[11, 12, 13]}Caution

CAUTION: Tansy is considered toxic in medicinal doses and is NOT recommended for internal use. Thujone can cause convulsions, liver and kidney damage. Contraindicated in pregnancy (uterotonic and abortifacient). External use (as insect repellent) is generally safe. For information and historical reference only — do not use internally.

Safety note^{[11, 12, 13]}Caution

Duke (2002) rates tansy as ++ but emphasizes important safety concerns. The plant contains thujone (a neurotoxic ketone) and camphor, making it potentially toxic with internal use. Documented activities include emmenagogue, abortifacient (score 1), and insecticide. Duke strongly cautions against internal use except under professional supervision, noting that historical cases of tansy poisoning have resulted in convulsions and death. Topical use as an insect repellent is safer but should still avoid prolonged skin contact due to the essential oil's sensitizing potential. Strictly contraindicated in pregnancy (Duke, 2002).

References

REF-1293, REF-1294, REF-1295, REF-1296, REF-1297, REF-1298, REF-1299, REF-1300, REF-1301, REF-1302

References & Sources

Kowalonek, J., Stachowiak, N., Bolczak, K. and Richert, A (2023) 'Physicochemical and Antibacterial Properties of Alginate Films Containing Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare L.) Essential Oil', Polymers, 15(2), pp. 260. doi:10.3390/polym15020260 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15020260
Ak, G., Gevrenova, R., Sinan, K.I., Zengin, G. and others (2021) 'Tanacetum vulgare L. (Tansy) as an effective bioresource with promising pharmacological effects from natural arsenal', Food and Chemical Toxicology, 153, pp. 112268. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2021.112268 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2021.112268
Paderin, N.M., Saveliev, Y.N. and Popov, S.V (2020) 'The effect of pectin of tansy, Tanacetum vulgare L., on anxiety and overeating food rich in fats and sugars in mice in modelling binge eating', Voprosy Pitaniia, 89(6), pp. 14-22. doi:10.24411/0042-8833-2020-10074 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.24411/0042-8833-2020-10074
Babich, O., Larina, V., Krol, O., Ulrikh, E. and others (2023) 'In Vitro Study of Biological Activity of Tanacetum vulgare Extracts', Pharmaceutics, 15(2), pp. 616. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics15020616 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15020616
Puk, K. and Guz, L (2021) 'Parasiticidal effects of Tanacetum vulgare extract against Ichthyophthirius multifiliis', Polish Journal of Veterinary Sciences, 24(1), pp. 159-161. doi:10.24425/pjvs.2021.136805 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.24425/pjvs.2021.136805
Roman, H., Niculescu, A.G., Lazar, V. and Mitache, M.M (2023) 'Antibacterial Efficiency of Tanacetum vulgare Essential Oil against ESKAPE Pathogens and Synergisms with Antibiotics', Antibiotics, 12(11), pp. 1635. doi:10.3390/antibiotics12111635 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12111635
Sukele, R., Lauberte, L., Kovalcuka, L., Logviss, K. and others (2023) 'Chemical Profiling and Antioxidant Activity of Tanacetum vulgare L. Wild-Growing in Latvia', Plants, 12(10), pp. 1968. doi:10.3390/plants12101968 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12101968
Korpinen, R.I., Valimaa, A.L., Liimatainen, J. and Kunnas, S (2021) 'Essential Oils and Supercritical CO2 Extracts of Arctic Angelica, Marsh Labrador Tea and Common Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)-Chemical Compositions and Antimicrobial Activities', Molecules, 26(23), pp. 7121. doi:10.3390/molecules26237121 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26237121
Jovanovic, M. and Poljacki, M (2003) 'Compositae dermatitis', Medicinski Pregled, 56(1-2), pp. 43-49. doi:10.2298/mpns0302043j Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.2298/mpns0302043j
Rohloff, J., Mordal, R. and Dragland, S (2004) 'Chemotypical variation of tansy (Tanacetum vulgare L.) from 40 different locations in Norway', Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 52(6), pp. 1742-1748. doi:10.1021/jf0352430 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1021/jf0352430
Grieve, M (1931) 'A Modern Herbal'. Traditional / reference
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Kivilaan, A. and Bandurski, R.S (1981) 'The 1879 Beal seed viability experiment', 68(9), pp. 1290--1292. Traditional / reference
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Orav, A., Raal, A. and Arak, E (2006) 'Essential oil composition of Tanacetum vulgare L', 20(12), pp. 1129--1142. Traditional / reference
Find this source

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