Asteraceae
Tansy
Tanacetum vulgare
✗ High Risk
Avoid in Pregnancy
Native to: Europe, Asia
Also known as: Common Tansy, Bitter Buttons, Cow Bitter, Golden Buttons
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Parts Used
FlowerLeaf
Therapeutic Uses
Historically: intestinal worms, delayed menstruation, insect repellent (topical). NOW LARGELY ABANDONED due to thujone toxicity. Historical documentation.
Herbal Actions
Anthelmintic, emmenagogue, insect repellent, bitter tonic
Active Constituents
Volatile oil (thujone — toxic in excess, camphor, borneol), sesquiterpene lactones (parthenolide), flavonoids, tannins
Preparation Methods
🏺 Tincture
Traditional Preparation Notes
| Herbal Tea | NOT RECOMMENDED — toxic |
| Tincture | AVOID — thujone toxicity |
| Notes | AVOID INTERNAL USE — thujone causes convulsions, liver damage, death. Topical insect repellent use only with caution. Replaced by safer anthelmintics. Historical herb — documented for academic purposes. |
Safety Information
Safety Rating
✗ High Risk
Pregnancy
Avoid in Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
None known
Contraindications: DO NOT USE INTERNALLY. Thujone toxic. Fatal cases documented. Topical: skin irritant, allergic reactions.
Side Effects: Convulsions, hepatotoxicity, renal damage, death from internal use. Contact dermatitis topically.