Balsam herb

Related Terms

Asteraceae (family), bachelor's buttons, beta-thujone, bitter button, boerenwormkruid, buttons, Chrysanthemum uliginosum, Chrysanthemum vulgare, common tansy, Compositae (family), cow bitter, daisy, garden tansy, ginger plant, gold-buttons, golden button, hindheal, mugwort, parsley fern, ponso, prince of Wales feathers, Pyrethrum tanacetum, scented fern, sesquiterpene lactones, solucanotu, stinking Willie, tanaceto, Tanacetum audiberti, Tanacetum vulgare, tanse-tansy, tansey, yomogi-giku.

Background

Tansy is not widely used in modern herbalism. The leaves and flower tops of this herb are mainly used as a vermifuge to expel intestinal worms. Less commonly, tansy is used to treat menstrual irregularities and induce menstrual bleeding. There is not enough scientific evidence about the safety and efficacy of tansy to support its traditional uses.
Aside from medicinal uses, distilled tansy oil repels mosquitoes, though not as well as commercial preparations containing diethytoluamide.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older):
There is no proven safe or effective dose for tansy in adults.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Tansy contains a compound called thujone, which may alter the effects of alcohol. Caution is advised when taking large amounts of thujone-containing tansy with alcohol.
Theoretically, tansy may alter blood sugar. Patients taking diabetes agents by mouth or insulin should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare provider. Medication adjustments may be necessary.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

Chandler RF, Hooper SN, Hooper DL, et al. Herbal remedies of the Maritime indians: sterols and triterpenes of Tanacetum vulgare L. (Tansy). Lipids 1982;17(2):102-106.
Chiasson H, Belanger A, Bostanian N, et al. Acaricidal properties of Artemisia absinthium and Tanacetum vulgare (Asteraceae) essential oils obtained by three methods of extraction. J Econ Entomol 2001;94(1):167-171.
Conway GA, Slocumb JC. Plants used as abortifacients and emmenagogues by Spanish New Mexicans. J Ethnopharmacol 1979;1(3):241-261.
Croteau R, Shaskus J. Biosynthesis of monoterpenes: demonstration of a geranyl pyrophosphate:(-)-bornyl pyrophosphate cyclase in soluble enzyme preparations from tansy (Tanacetum vulgare). Arch Biochem Biophys 1985;236(2):535-543.
Fokina GI, Frolova TV, Roikhel' VM, et al. [Experimental phytotherapy of tick-borne Guin JD, Skidmore G. Compositae dermatitis in childhood. Arch Dermatol 1987;123(4):500-502.
Hausen BM. A 6-year experience with compositae mix. Am J Contact Dermat 1996;7(2):94-99.
Jager AK, Gauguin B, Adsersen A, et al. Screening of plants used in Danish folk medicine to treat epilepsy and convulsions. J Ethnopharmacol 2005;
Jovanovic M, Poljacki M, Duran V, et al. Contact allergy to Compositae plants in patients with atopic dermatitis. Med Pregl 2004;57(5-6):209-218.
Mark KA, Brancaccio RR, Soter NA, et al. Allergic contact and photoallergic contact dermatitis to plant and pesticide allergens. Arch Dermatol 1999;135(1):67-70.
Schinella GR, Giner RM, Recio MC, et al. Anti-inflammatory effects of South American Tanacetum vulgare. J Pharm Pharmacol 1998;50(9):1069-1074.
Williams CA, Harborne JB, Geiger H, et al. The flavonoids of Tanacetum parthenium and T. vulgare and their anti-inflammatory properties. Phytochemistry 1999;51(3):417-423.