Some of the common names of the tansy plant will immediately give you an idea of its anthelmintic properties. Classical botanists did not know this herb, but it was first mentioned in the 12th century.
- Latin/Botanical Name: Tanacetum vulgare
- Origin: Croatia/Albania
- USDA Certified Organic
- CGMP Compliant (Current Good Manufacturing Practices)
- Kosher Certified by Kosher Certification Services
Healing Properties
The tansy plant contains tannin, flavonoids, and an essence rich in thujone, to which the plant owes its properties.
- Vermifuge – It paralyzes intestinal worms (roundworms and oxyuridae), and although it does not kill them, it promotes their expulsion if a purgative substance is taken after this plant.
- Emmenagogue – Normalizes and produces menstruation.
The tansy plant mainly expels parasitic worms in children and adults. Take a teaspoonful of tansy infusion in the morning, noon, and night. Pour one cup of the infusion over ½ cup of raisins and allow them to swell with the liquid. Then, take three teaspoon doses of the liquid daily. In addition, the herb is used to treat fevers, nervousness, kidney weakness, and hysteria and promote menstruation.
In external applications, an infusion of flowers and leaves makes an excellent wash for blemishes, skin conditions, bruises, and sprains. Hot fomentation can also treat rheumatic and arthritic pains.
Warning
Respect the recommended doses, since when taken in high doses, it can produce vomiting and convulsions. It must not be given to pregnant women. This plant is a mild irritant when employed in small doses. Even when applied externally, tansy can be poisonous. An overdose of tansy tea or oil can be fatal. Therefore, it would probably be best to avoid the plant altogether.
Costmary
Costmary or Bible Leaf (Tanacetum balsamita L.) is another species similar to tansy and used as a vermifuge. It has large, hairy leaves. It also has antitussive and carminative (anti-flatulence) properties. It is usually prepared in infusion, with 15 to 20 grams of leaves per liter of water, and drinking 3 to 4 cups daily. When taking with vermifuge aims, one of two cups must be taken on an empty stomach, and after an hour, take a purgative substance.
Tansy Plant Scientific Facts
- Scientific Name – Tanacetum vulgare L.
- Other Names – Bitter buttons, parley fern, hindheal.
- French – Tanaisie, herbe aux vers.
- Spanish – Tanaceto, lombricera.
- Environment – Spread all over Europe except in Mediterranean areas. Naturalized to North America.
- Description—A vigorous plant of the Compositae family, it has an upright stem growing up to 90 cm high, leaves divided into many toothed folioles, is very aromatic, and has yellow flower chapters with no ligules (a kind of colored leaves that usually surround actual flowers in plants of the Compositae family).
- Parts of the plant used medicinally – Well rip flower chapters, with seeds.
How to use Tansy
- Infusion
- Dry flower chapters – Up to 5 grams of dried and ground flowers dissolved in water. After an hour, take a purgative substance. Repeat for three days.
- Enema, with the same infusion, is internally used to enhance its vermifuge properties.
Infusion (herb): Steep for thirty minutes and take one teaspoon three to four times daily. Decoction (seed, root): Simmer for five to fifteen and take three ounces three times a day. Tincture: ½ to one teaspoon two to three times a day. Fluid Extract: Take ½ to two teaspoons two to three times daily. Syrup (root): Take one teaspoon two to three times daily. Powder: Take five to ten #0 capsules (30 to 60 grains) two to three times daily.
Frequently Asked Question
What is the historical context of the tansy plant’s use in medicine?
Are there any scientifically validated health benefits of the tansy plant?
Research on tansy is minimal. Some small studies have hinted at potential anti-inflammatory or antioxidant properties.
Can tansy help treat parasitic infestations?
Is tansy safe for aiding with menstrual issues?
Tansy was once used to induce menstruation or abortion. This is incredibly dangerous. Tansy’s toxicity can lead to serious health problems or even death.
Has the tansy plant shown any promise against cancer?
Extremely preliminary laboratory studies suggest potential anti-cancer activity from tansy components. This is far from establishing tansy as a safe or viable human cancer treatment. Never use tansy to self-treat cancer.
Does tansy have any application in modern medicine?
Currently, tansy is not accepted for medical use due to the risk of adverse effects.
Why is the tansy plant considered toxic?
In large doses, the compound thujone found in tansy can induce cardiac arrest, organ dysfunction, and potentially fatal outcomes. The amount of thujone varies in different tansy plants, making it impossible to predict safe consumption levels.
Are there milder types of tansy plants that are safe?
Even varieties thought to be lower in thujone carry serious risks. There is no way to guarantee a “safe” kind of tansy.
Can tansy be used topically (on the skin)?
Using tansy on the skin is also unsafe. It can cause skin irritation, and thujone may be absorbed, leading to systemic toxicity.
If tansy is so dangerous, why is information about its potential benefits available?
Even the investigation of toxic plant properties may result in the development of new medications. However, the raw plant itself is often unsafe. Responsible information highlights the risks alongside any potential, unproven areas of research.
DISCLAIMER: All content on this website is presented solely for educational and informational objectives. Do not rely on the information provided as a replacement for advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified medical expert. If you are pregnant, nursing, or have any preexisting medical concerns, talk to your doctor before using any herbal or natural medicines.
REFERENCES
- George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. “Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants.” George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Ed. Francesc X. Gelabert. vols. 2 San Fernando de Henares: Editorial Safeliz, 2000. 537. Print. [tansy plant]
- Vance Ferrell Harold M. Cherne, M.D. The Natural Remedies Encyclopedia [Book]. – Altamont, TN: Harvestime Books, 2010. – Vol. Seventh Edition: 7: pp. 182.
- WebMD – https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-686/tansy
- PubMed – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15775866/
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center – https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/diagnosis-treatment/symptom-management/integrative-medicine/herbs
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API