Tansy

Generic name: Chrysanthemum Vulgare L., Tanacetum Vulgare (L.) Bernh.
Brand names: Bitter Or Golden Buttons, Garden Tansy, Parsley Fern, Scented Fern, Stinking Willie, Tansy

Usage of Tansy

Evidence to support the use of tansy for any pharmacologic indication is lacking. Although roundworms are stunned by thujone and then expelled by the peristaltic action of the intestine, the risk of toxicity is too high to justify use as an anthelmintic. Similarly, use of tansy as an emmenagogue or abortifacient is dangerous.(Awang 1995)

Anti-inflammatory

Parthenolide, the major component of some genotypes, impairs platelet activation, induces cyclo-oxygenase-2 expression in macrophages, and activates NF-κB.(SchinElla 1998)

Animal and experimental data

Mouse-ear edema was inhibited 93% by a parthenolide-rich fraction of a tansy extract. Similar inhibition occurred with Indomethacin (85%) and a jaceosidin-rich fraction (80%). Effects against carrageenan-induced paw edema were more modest (25% and 8% for parthenolide and jaceosidin fractions, respectively).(Schinella 1998) Inhibition of nitrous oxide production induced by lipopolysaccharide was observed with the essential oil of T. vulgare; alpha-humulene was found to be the most active compound in the oil.(Coté 2017)

Antioxidant

Experimental data

Antioxidant activity of T. vulgare essential oils(Cote 2017) and aqueous extract(Chiavari-Frederico 2020) have been demonstrated in vitro.

Antiulcer

Sesquiterpene lactones have a cytoprotective effect against gastric ulcers, possibly related to interactions between the α-methylene-γ-lactone group and thiol constituents in the gastric mucosa. Additionally, flavonoids isolated from tansy may have a topical effect on ulcers.(Tournier 1999)

Animal data

A dose-Dependent reduction in ethanol-induced gastric lesions in rats was seen with a chloroform extract of a parthenolide-rich genotype of T. vulgare. Ulcer inhibition was similar for animals given chloroform extract or parthenolide (71% and 91% ulcer inhibition, respectively, at a dose of 40 mg/kg).

Antimicrobial

Animal/In vitro data

Tansy has some degree of in vitro antimicrobial activity against both gram-positive(12, 13) and gram-negative bacteria.(13) Organisms susceptible to a hydroalcoholic extract of T. vulgare include Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Some activity against Candida krusei and C. tropicalis was also observed. In pathogens isolated from urine and vaginal secretions of 15 postmenopausal women diagnosed with recurrent UTI, T. vulgare aqueous extract was found to be most active against E. coli with an MIC of 52.08 mg/mL (P<0.05) and least active against P. aeruginosa (MIC 26.04 mg/mL) and Staphylococcus aureus (MIC 41.66 mg/mL) compared to extracts from Bidens pilosa and B. sulphUrea. More than 50% of the isolates from the women were found to be multidrug resistant.(Chiavari-Frederico 2020) In vitro studies have reported the essential oil of T. vulgare to be active against S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and C. albicans with camphor identified as the most active constituent against S. aureus and E. coli.(Cote 2017, Radulovic 2017)

Anti HSV-1 activity of tansy aerial parts has been reported.(Alvarez 2011, Onozato 2009) Aqueous extracts of the plant partially inactivate tick-borne encephalitis virus in vitro but have been found to induce resistance to the virus in infected mice.(Fokina 1991)

Clinical data

Research reveals no clinical data regarding the use of tansy alone as an antimicrobial agent. In combination with Rosa canina, Urtica dioica, Selenium, flavonoids and carotenes, tansy has been studied in people living with HIV; (the combination preparation is known as "setarud" or "IMOD").(Paydary 2012)

Insecticidal

Oil of tansy has a strong, insect-repellent property, but the acaricidal property is affected by the method of extraction. Bioassays have associated the presence of 1,8-cineole, bornyl acetate, rho-cymene, gamma-terpinene, and camphor with the strongest repellent activity(Schearer 1984) and beta-thujone with insecticidal properties.(Chiasson 2001) Colorado potato beetles (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) were strongly repelled by a commercial oil of tansy and a steam distillate of fresh leaves and flowers of tansy.(Schearer 1984) Inhibition of the feeding activity of the cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae) by a preparation of sesquiterpene lactones isolated from T. vulgare was 80% to 100%. High activity against the flour beetle (Tenebrio molitor), greenhouse whitefly (Trialerodes vaporariorium), and Teranychus urtiae Koch was also noted.(Adekenov 1996)

The extraction process affected mortality of spider mites treated with a 4% extract of tansy. Mortality rates for extracts obtained by distillation in water or steam was 60% and 75%, respectively, compared with 16% for a microwave-assisted extraction process. LC50 values were 0.054 and 0.046 mg/cm2 for water and steam-assisted distillation processes, respectively. LC50 values for the microwave-assisted process were inconclusive. The active agent in this study was probably β-thujone, the main component in all 3 extracts (87% to 92%).(Chiasson 2001)

Other uses

Vasorelaxant properties of an aqueous extract of Tanacetum have ben demonstrated in vitro.(Lahlou 2008)

The essential oil of T. vulgare aerial parts has been shown to be cytotoxic to colon adenocarcinoma cell lines and slightly cytotoxic to human lung carcinoma, human keratinocytes, as well as healthy cell lines.(Cote 2017)

An in vitro study identified 107 compounds extracted from T. vulgare by 3 different extraction methods (hexane, ethanol-water, water). Assays demonstrated significant antioxidant as well as enzyme inhibition activity against cholinesterase, tyrosinase, amylase, and glucosidase. All extracts were toxic at concentrations of 100 mcg/mL to 20 mg/mL. However, at 10 mcg/mL, 3 extracts were found to be non-toxic and biocompatible (less than 20% reduction in cell viability) to hypothalamic cells. Norepinephrine release was stimulated by all extracts and an influence on dopamine signaling was observed by one of the extracts.(Ak 2021)

Neuromodulation has been demonstrated in vivo by T. vulgare essential oil in which movement of rats as well as time spent in light/dark was significantly worse in animals treated with the essential oil compared to untreated controls. Potent anxiolytic effects were also observed.(Radulovic 2017)

Tansy side effects

Ingestion of tansy and its extracts has been reported to cause serious systemic toxicity in animals and humans. Fatalities have occurred.

Prolonged exposure to tansy may cause contact dermatitis(Hausen 1988); an extract of tansy is routinely included in the standard testing mixture for Asteraceae allergy.(Hausen 1996, Paulsen 2001) A strong cross-sensitivity between chrysanthemum and tansy exists; the presence of parthenolide in both species may be a possible cause.(Paulsen 2001) Arbusculin-A and tanacetin have also been indicated as sensitizing agents.(Hendriks 1989) Prevalence of hypersensitivity to tansy has been reported as 60.6%(Hausen 1996) to 77%(Paulsen 2001) of patients sensitive to Asteraceae (approximately 2% of the European patient population tested). Patients exhibiting the symptoms of contact dermatitis may have been exposed to the plants occupationally (flower trade), in their own gardens, or through the use of natural cosmetics, soaps, or shampoos. Clinically, lesions occur most often on the face, fingers, hands, and forearms.(Esoteric Oils 2007)

Before taking Tansy

Avoid use. Documented adverse effects (emmenagogue and abortifacient effects).(Newall 1996, Ernst 2002)

How to use Tansy

There is no clinical evidence to support specific dosage of tansy. Classical use of the oil as an anthelmintic was at a dose of 0.1 g/day.

Warnings

As little as 10 drops of the oil may be lethal, but survival has been reported after ingestion of 15 mL.(Hendriks 1989, Osol 1955) The tea also has been fatal.(Osol 1955) Symptoms of internal tansy poisoning include rapid and feeble pulse, severe gastritis, violent spasms, convulsions, and uterine bleeding; treatment with gastric lavage or emesis has been suggested, followed by symptomatic treatment.(Hardin 1974) Alpha-thujone is probably responsible for much of the toxicity associated with the plant; however, several other minor constituents have demonstrated strong correlations to the toxic profile.(Radulovic 2017) Chronic poisoning from prolonged use is also likely.

Studies in rodents suggest a lack of toxicity from the aqueous extract of tansy (Tanacetum vulgare L.) leaves.(Lahlou 2008)

What other drugs will affect Tansy

None well documented.

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