PubMed-compiled information sheet
This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) is an herbaceous plant used in folk medicine for various ailments, containing bioactive compounds with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties [PMID:36679141, PMID:36839938].
Background
Tanacetum vulgare is a widespread invasive species in North America and a member of the Asteraceae family [PMID:41124138]. It exhibits significant intraspecific chemodiversity, forming distinct chemotypes based on terpenoid composition [PMID:37703504, PMID:37351733].
Traditional uses
Used in folk medicine for digestive problems, fevers, migraines, parasites, and as an insect repellent [PMID:36679141]. It has also been traditionally applied for headaches, rheumatism, respiratory, and neurological problems [PMID:39683883].
Active compounds
Active substances include essential oils rich in oxygenated monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes [PMID:33244630], specifically alpha-thujone, beta-thujone, eucalyptol, sabinene, chrysanthenon, camphor, and linalool oxide acetate [PMID:37998837]. It also contains phenolic acids (chlorogenic acid, rosmarinic acid), flavonoids (luteolin-7-glucoside, quercetin), and pectin (tanacetan) [PMID:36839938, PMID:40680672, PMID:38190112].
Mechanism of action
The plant's essential oils and phenolic compounds provide antimicrobial and antioxidant activities [PMID:36679141, PMID:37653885]. Quercetin, present in tansy, exhibits anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and immunomodulatory effects [PMID:40680672].
Clinical evidence
Evidence DCognitive function and anxiety
In rats, a 200 mg/kg alcohol extract improved learning and memory, while a 1000 mg/kg dose resulted in anxiolytic-like behavior [PMID:39683883]
Evidence DIchthyophthirius multifiliis (fish parasite)
Extracts significantly reduced the survival of trophonts and theronts in vitro [PMID:33847089]
Evidence DTrichostrongylidae Nematodes (sheep)
Extracts demonstrated strong larvicidal activity in vitro [PMID:37443974]
Evidence DBacterial infections
Essential oil shows antibacterial efficiency against ESKAPE pathogens [PMID:37998837]
Safety & adverse effects
Tansy can be toxic to livestock [PMID:41124138]. Thujone, found in the plant, is toxic in high concentrations [PMID:37653885]. It is also a known cause of Compositae dermatitis, an allergic contact dermatitis [PMID:12793186, PMID:3827282].
Evidence summary
The available evidence consists primarily of in vitro studies, animal models (rats, mice, bees), and case reports of allergic reactions. There are no human clinical trials provided in the source material.
PubMed sources
- 1.PMID: 12793186 (2003) — [Compositae dermatitis]. · Medicinski pregled
- 2.PMID: 36679141 (2023) — Physicochemical and Antibacterial Properties of Alginate Films Containing Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare L.) Essential Oil. · Polymers
- 3.PMID: 40680672 (2025) — The role of Quercetin in the treatment of kidney diseases: A comprehensive review. · Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie
- 4.PMID: 37513392 (2023) — Antimicrobial and Apoptotic Efficacy of Plant-Mediated Silver Nanoparticles. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
- 5.PMID: 41124138 (2025) — Fertilizer and fungicide reduce herbicide efficacy and enhance growth of invasive common tansy (Tanacetum vulgare).