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.

References

• 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.
  View Abstract
• 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.
  View Abstract
• Conway GA, Slocumb JC. Plants used as abortifacients and emmenagogues by Spanish New Mexicans. J Ethnopharmacol 1979;1(3):241-261.
  View Abstract
• 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.
  View Abstract
• 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.
  View Abstract
• Hausen BM. A 6-year experience with compositae mix. Am J Contact Dermat 1996;7(2):94-99.
  View Abstract
• Jager AK, Gauguin B, Adsersen A, et al. Screening of plants used in Danish folk medicine to treat epilepsy and convulsions. J Ethnopharmacol 2005;
  View Abstract
• 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.
  View Abstract
• 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.
  View Abstract
• Schinella GR, Giner RM, Recio MC, et al. Anti-inflammatory effects of South American Tanacetum vulgare. J Pharm Pharmacol 1998;50(9):1069-1074.
  View Abstract
• 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.
  View Abstract