Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare, Compositae)

Names: Batchelors Buttons

Habitat: A common European wild plant.

Collection: The leaves and flowers are collected during the flowering time between June and September.

Part Used: Aerial parts.

Constituents:

• Volatile oil, thujone, sabinene, camphor, 1,8-cineole, umbellulone, a-pinene, bornyl acetate and germacrene D
• Sesquiterpene lactones; parthenolide, artemorin, tatridin, 11,13-dehydrodesacetyl- matricarin, 1-epiludovicin-C
• Flavonoids; apigenin, diosmetin, quercitin, jaceidin, jaceosidin.

Actions: Anthelmintic, bitter, carminative, emmenagogue.
Indications: Tansy is an effective remedy for use in ridding the digestive tract of infestations of worms. Whilst it is quite safe for this, its continued use over a period of time should be avoided as some of the constituents of the oil are quite dangerous in large dosage.

The herb is effective against roundworm and threadworm and may be used in children as an enema. As a bitter it will stimulate the digestive process and ease dyspepsia, having all the actions of a bitter tonic. It may be used as an emmenagogue to stimulate menstruation, but must be avoided during pregnancy. Externally a lotion may be useful in cases of scabies.

CAUTION: Avoid during pregnancy.

Combinations: For intestinal worms it may be used with Wormwood and a carminative such as Chamomile, in conjunction with a purgative like Senna.

Preparations & Dosage: Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto 1 teaspoonful of the dried herb and leave to infuse for 10-15 minutes. This should be drunk twice a day.

Tincture: take 1-2 ml of the tincture three times a day.