CONTENTS

• Common Tansy - Properties
• What is thujone?
• How to use tansy?
• Tansy extract for insects
• Tansy for parasites
• Tansy against herpes
• Tansy for skin problems
• Tansy and rheumatic pain
• Contraindications to the use of tansy
• Summary

Tansy is a plant with many beneficial uses. In the past, it was consumed as a medicine for all sorts of ailments, from abortion, treating hysteria, to stimulating menstruation. The problem was that tansy is a poisonous plant. In fact, it was great at eliminating these symptoms in the short term. Unfortunately, it was just as effective at causing other side effects that ultimately led to death. Despite these negative properties, can tansy be of any use to us? We'll try to answer these and other questions.

Common Tansy - Properties

Tansy belongs to the Asteraceae family. It is found throughout Europe and in temperate Asia. It has also spread beyond these regions. It is a common species in Poland. It is a perennial plant that grows up to 1.5 meters tall. In folk medicine, tansy has traditionally been used to treat problems with the digestive system. It was widely used to relieve liver congestion after a heavy consumption of fatty meals. It was also believed to have diuretic and carminative effects. This situation changed dramatically after the discovery of thujone, the substance responsible for its specific taste and smell. At that time, the consumption of tansy was prohibited, and only external use was permitted.

What is thujone?

Thujone is an organic chemical compound. It occurs naturally as a component of essential oils found in some plants. We find it in wormwood, sage, and tansy. Thujone is highly soluble in alcohols and diethyl ether. However, it does not dissolve in water. Because of this property, it has become a common ingredient in tinctures or alcohols. One of the best known is the popular absinthe, which was once said to have strong hallucinogenic properties. This is thanks to thujone.

Thujone itself is a poison. Side effects can occur after consumption, especially with excessive consumption. It leads to increased activity of the cerebral cortex, which manifests as anxiety, irritability, and even psychosis. Chronic use can cause significant deterioration of the nervous system. This can lead to paralysis, as well as various neurological disorders. However, there are exceptions to this rule. "Everything is poison and nothing is poison, for only the dose makes the poison," Paracelsus said centuries ago. This means that in special cases, you can use tansy in the form of an infusion. However, in this case, the dosage should be carefully controlled.

How then to use tansy?

Despite all these negative effects, consuming tansy still has many beneficial effects. In various herbal shops, we most commonly find oil from its flowers. It is intended for external use, usually on the skin. It should be remembered that its concentration in this form can cause irritation. For this reason, it is very important to dilute it before use. Since thujone is not water-soluble, we recommend using concentrated ethyl alcohol for this process. Plain alcohol works best. You can also purchase ready-made preparations containing tansy extract. Then follow the instructions on the package.

The dosage should not exceed 3-4 doses per day, but the serving size should not exceed 220 ml, provided we follow the above recipe. If we decide to purchase a ready-made product from a pharmacy or herbal shop, we should follow the manufacturer's guidelines.

Tansy extract for insects

Tansy has a distinctive odor similar to that of camphor, which is why it effectively repels insects. It can be effective against mosquitoes, flies, aphids, and ants. It generally repels most of the common insects found in our country. For this reason, tansy has been used as a repellent. The herb can be crushed and then rubbed onto the skin. It can also be used in the form of a solution for application to the skin.

Tansy for parasites

Due to its high thujone content, tansy has been used as an antiparasitic. Alcoholic solutions of tansy applied to the skin are best suited for this purpose. It can be helpful in getting rid of ticks, lice, scabies, and mites. Parasites can also be removed from the body using tansy tincture, for example. This involves drinking a previously prepared liquid. However, the European Union, with a 2006 directive, banned the use of tansy internally, leaving only the option of externally using its benefits. As mentioned above, there are exceptions to this rule. An infusion of tansy in controlled amounts is excellent against tapeworms and roundworms.

Tansy against herpes

In folk medicine, it has long been known that tansy also has strong antiviral effects. Extensive research in Spain and Great Britain has provided clear evidence. Tansy may be effective in fighting the herpes virus thanks to the compound axyllarin it contains. Furthermore, research has discovered that tansy also contains parthenolide—a substance with powerful anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties.

Tansy for skin problems

The ingredients in tansy can help with many skin conditions, including acne, dry skin, and even puffiness. For centuries, it has been used in the form of a decoction for rubbing onto specific areas. Currently, it is used in various masks and solutions. It's important to use it on the face: choose water-based products, not alcohol. In this form, it can relieve seborrhea, excessive blemishes, and restore a healthy appearance to the skin.

Tansy and rheumatic pain

In folk medicine, the alcohol extract of tansy flowers is used as a rub to relieve pain in rheumatoid arthritis or arthritis (gout). Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, it can also be used as a temporary remedy for muscle pain.

Contraindications to the use of tansy

Contrary to appearances, there isn't much evidence to limit or discontinue the use of tansy preparations. First, it's not particularly recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Allergy sufferers should also be cautious, as tansy can contain substances that cause severe allergic reactions. However, due to its thujone content, it's recommended to exclude this plant from the diet in cases of nervous system disorders. Furthermore, people with blood clotting problems should approach this remedy with caution. This herb has strong abortifacient and hemorrhaging properties. Since it's also a component of many alcohols, people with symptoms of thujone addiction should definitely avoid it.

Summary

There's no denying that tansy is a potentially more dangerous plant than most popular herbs used for medicinal purposes. However, this doesn't change the fact that it can still be very beneficial to us. The key to success lies in the correct dosage and caution. When used externally, it can provide our body with numerous benefits. When used internally, the dosage is most important. Therefore, it's worth consulting a doctor before taking tansy supplements orally.