Chloranthus spicatus vs Tansy

Side-by-side comparison of medicinal herbs

Herb

Chloranthus spicatus

Digestive

Tanacetum vulgare

Digestive

Chloranthus spicatus

✅ Generally safe in pregnancy

✅ Generally safe while nursing

Tansy

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Description

Small Japanese and Chinese shrub grown for fragrant flowers used to scent tea, traditional medicine in East Asia.

A strongly aromatic European herb historically used as a vermifuge and insect repellent, now used with caution.

Active Compounds

chlorantholide, loliolide, volatile oils, flavonoids

Thujone, Camphor, Parthenolide, Tanacetin

Traditional Uses

Traditional tea-scenting plant in Japan and China, Used in Japanese folk medicine for digestive conditions

Intestinal worms, Insect repellent, Menstrual regulation, Digestive bitter

Modern Uses

Digestive support, Anti-inflammatory, Aromatic medicine, Tea flavoring

Anthelmintic, Insect repellent, Anti-inflammatory, Emmenagogue

Adult Dosage

Tea scented with flowers; Leaf tea: 3-5g per cup

LOW DOSE ONLY: 0.5-1g dried herb as tea; short-term use

Contraindications

No specific contraindications established

Pregnancy, Epilepsy, Liver disease, Children

Side Effects

Mild gastrointestinal effects

Thujone toxicity (seizures), Hepatotoxicity, Abortifacient, Death (large doses)

Drug Interactions

0 known interactions

Reviewed by: HerbAlly Editorial Team, Medical herbalists and healthcare professionals

Sources: WHO Monographs · NCCIH · PubMed · Commission E