# Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)

**Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/tansy
**Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia
**Updated:** 2026-03-27
**Evidence Score:** 4 / 10
**Category:** European
**Also Known As:** Common Tansy, Golden Buttons, Bitter Buttons, Cow Bitter, Mugwort, Scented Fern, Tanacetum vulgare, European Tansy, Garden Tansy, Parsley Fern, Stinking Willie

## Overview

Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) contains volatile oils including thujone and camphor that may provide [antioxidant activity](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant). Traditional European folk medicine has used tansy for vermifugal and [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) purposes, though clinical evidence remains limited.

## Health Benefits

• Traditional vermifugal (anti-parasitic) effects - based on historical use only, no clinical evidence
• Potential [antioxidant activity](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) - preliminary evidence shows ORAC value 605.4 ± 49.3 µmol TE/mL for essential oil
• Traditional [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) properties - documented in European folk medicine, no clinical trials
• [Hepatoprotective](/ingredients/condition/detox) effects - traditional use only, no human studies available
• [Antimicrobial](/ingredients/condition/immune-support) activity - traditional application, lacking clinical validation

## Mechanism of Action

Tansy's primary bioactive compounds include thujone, camphor, and borneol in its essential oil. The antioxidant activity appears mediated through [free radical scaveng](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant)ing mechanisms, with measured ORAC values of 605.4 µmol TE/mL. Thujone may interact with GABA receptors and sodium channels, though this mechanism requires further validation.

## Clinical Summary

Clinical research on tansy remains extremely limited with no human trials available. Laboratory studies have demonstrated [antioxidant](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) capacity with specific ORAC measurements for the essential oil. Traditional use documentation exists primarily from European ethnobotanical records rather than controlled studies. The vermifugal and [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) claims are based solely on historical usage patterns without modern clinical validation.

## Nutritional Profile

Tansy is not consumed as a food in meaningful quantities due to toxicity concerns, so standard macronutrient profiling (calories, protein, fat, carbohydrates, fiber) is not applicable in dietary contexts. Its relevance is phytochemical rather than nutritional. **Key bioactive compounds:** • **Thujone (α-thujone and β-thujone):** Major component of essential oil, typically 50–90% of oil composition depending on chemotype; α-thujone often 30–70%, β-thujone 5–30%. Thujone is a monoterpene ketone and the primary toxicological concern (convulsant, hepatotoxic at moderate doses). • **Camphor:** Present in many chemotypes at 5–30% of essential oil; some camphor-dominant chemotypes exist with camphor up to 40–60%. • **1,8-Cineole (eucalyptol):** 2–15% of essential oil depending on chemotype. • **Borneol and bornyl acetate:** Minor components, typically 1–8%. • **Chrysanthenyl acetate:** Reported in some chemotypes at 2–10%. • **Sesquiterpene lactones:** Including parthenolide (approximately 0.1–0.7% dry weight of aerial parts), tanacetin, and related germacranolides; these are considered responsible for [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) and antiparasitic activity. • **Flavonoids:** Luteolin, apigenin, jaceosidin, eupatilin, and their glycosides; total flavonoid content approximately 1.5–3.5% dry weight of leaves. These contribute to [antioxidant activity](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant). • **Phenolic acids:** Chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, isochlorogenic acids, and 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid; total phenolic content reported at approximately 45–85 mg GAE/g dry extract. • **Tannins:** Present in moderate amounts (~2–5% dry weight), contributing to astringent and [antimicrobial](/ingredients/condition/immune-support) properties. • **Vitamins and minerals:** No significant data available for micronutrient content; tansy is not a relevant dietary source of vitamins or minerals. • **Essential oil yield:** Typically 0.1–0.6% (v/w) from dried aerial parts by hydrodistillation. **Bioavailability notes:** Thujone is rapidly absorbed orally and crosses the blood-brain barrier, contributing to neurotoxicity risk. Sesquiterpene lactones such as parthenolide have limited oral bioavailability due to rapid [metabolism](/ingredients/condition/weight-management), though lipophilic formulations may improve absorption. Flavonoid glycosides require intestinal hydrolysis for aglycone absorption; overall flavonoid bioavailability is estimated at 2–10%. The high chemotype variability across geographic populations means compound concentrations can differ dramatically between specimens.

## Dosage & Preparation

No clinically studied dosage ranges are available for tansy extracts, powders, or standardized forms. No human studies have established safe or effective doses. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

## Safety & Drug Interactions

Tansy contains potentially toxic thujone compounds that can cause seizures, kidney damage, and liver toxicity in high doses. The herb is contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding due to abortifacient properties and potential fetal harm. Tansy may interact with anticonvulsant medications due to thujone's effects on GABA receptors. Long-term use or high doses should be avoided due to cumulative toxicity risks from thujone accumulation.

## Scientific Research

No human clinical trials, randomized controlled trials, or meta-analyses for Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) were found in the available research. The evidence base consists solely of chemical analysis of constituents and traditional use documentation.

## Historical & Cultural Context

In traditional European medicine systems, particularly in Ukraine and CIS countries, tansy flowers have been historically used for vermifugal, choleretic, [hepatoprotective](/ingredients/condition/detox), [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation), analgesic, [antimicrobial](/ingredients/condition/immune-support), and antipyretic effects. The herb has documented pharmacological features in traditional use but specific duration of historical application is not specified.

## Synergistic Combinations

Wormwood, Black Walnut, Clove, Milk Thistle, Dandelion

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is thujone in tansy and why is it dangerous?

Thujone is a volatile monoterpene compound in tansy essential oil that can cause seizures, hallucinations, and organ damage. Concentrations vary widely but can reach toxic levels, making tansy supplements potentially dangerous without proper standardization.

### How much tansy is safe to consume daily?

No established safe dosage exists for tansy due to variable thujone content and lack of safety studies. Most herbalists recommend avoiding internal use entirely, with some suggesting maximum 1-2 grams dried herb occasionally under professional supervision.

### Can tansy supplements help with parasitic infections?

While traditional European medicine used tansy for parasites, no clinical trials support this use. Modern anti-parasitic medications are significantly safer and more effective than tansy, which carries serious toxicity risks.

### Does tansy interact with seizure medications?

Yes, tansy's thujone content may counteract anticonvulsant medications by affecting GABA receptors and sodium channels. This interaction could potentially lower seizure threshold and reduce medication effectiveness.

### What are the signs of tansy poisoning?

Tansy toxicity symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, seizures, kidney dysfunction, and liver damage. Severe cases may involve hallucinations, rapid pulse, and respiratory distress requiring immediate medical attention.

### Is tansy safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

Tansy is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding due to its thujone content, which may stimulate uterine contractions and poses potential risks to fetal development. Historical use as an abortifacient makes it particularly contraindicated in pregnant populations. Women who are nursing should also avoid tansy supplements, as the compound can pass into breast milk.

### What is the difference between tansy tea, tincture, and essential oil forms?

Tansy tea (infusion) provides a diluted form with lower thujone concentration, while tinctures concentrate the active compounds in alcohol and carry higher toxicity risk. Essential oil is the most concentrated form and should never be ingested due to extreme thujone levels; it may only be used for external aromatherapy under strict dilution. Teas are the traditional preparation method with the lowest risk profile, though all forms require caution due to the herb's narrow margin between historical use doses and toxic doses.

### What does current clinical research actually show about tansy's health benefits?

Clinical human trials on tansy are extremely limited; most evidence comes from traditional use records and in vitro studies rather than controlled trials. Preliminary research shows antioxidant activity in the essential oil (ORAC value 605.4 ± 49.3 µmol TE/mL), but this has not been validated in human studies. Claims about anti-parasitic, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective effects remain unproven in humans and should not be relied upon as primary therapeutic options.

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*Source: Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia — https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com*
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