What is Blue Tansy Essential Oil?
Blue Tansy essential oil is obtained by steam distillation of flowers, buds and sometimes leaves of the plant Tanacetum annuum, which belongs to Asteraceae or Compositae family and its origin is from northeast of Morocco, Spain and Portugal.
Compositae family, provides us with valuable essential oils such as the ones extracted from the evergreens, German chamomile, Roman chamomile, yarrow and olive tree, among others.
Blue Tansy oil surprises with its pleasant fruity, sweet, herbaceous and woody aroma. However, the most striking thing about this oil is its intense blue color. Its characteristic hue is due to the presence of a molecule that appears during distillation process, and that we do not find as such in the plant.
The presence of this molecule is really interesting, and gives this essential oil all its therapeutic value.
Blue Tansy oil (Tanacetum annuum) is sometimes confused with Tansy oil (Tanacetum vulgare), however, these are very different.
Tansy oil is toxic, therefore, it should be used with reasonable caution, and should never be used in aromatherapy. In contrast, Blue Tansy, is a great oil for aromatherapy thanks to its soothing and relaxing properties.
The pleasant aroma of blue tansy essential oil, allows it to be mixed with a wide variety of oils, such as:
lavender, rose, geranium, jasmine, coriander, laurel leaf, petitgrain, bergamot, rosaline, clove, cinnamon, clary sage, palmarosa, patchouli, marjoram, amyris, angelica, cistus, ylang ylang, juniper berry, helichrysum, pine, lemongrass, ravensara, frankincense, cedarwood, rosemary, and citrus oils like sweet orange, neroli or lemon.
It is recommended that the maximum concentration of blue tansy essential oil in a mixture does not exceed 5%, since this helps the properties and benefits are better utilized.
Main Components of Blue Tansy Essential Oil
The main components of this oil, out of approximately 130 constituents identified are:
- Chamazulene (38-17%),
- Myrcene (14-1%),
- Sabinene (8.6-4%),
- β-eudesmol (7-3%) and
- Camphor (18-4%).
Seasonal variation of the oil composition suggested that the chamazulene content decreases and the myrcene content increases from June to October.
Properties of Blue Tansy Essential Oil
The health benefits of Blue Tansy oil can be attributed to its properties as an antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-histamine, analgesic, antipruritic, antiallergic, antiviral, febrifuge, insecticide, hormonal stimulant and sedative.
Uses and Benefits of Blue Tansy Essential Oil
Excellent natural antiallergic
The histamine in the body is responsible for triggering allergies and various problems related to it, such as rashes, itching, severe cough, asthma, breathing conditions, continuous sneezing or hiccups.
These allergic discomfort can be counteracted with blue tansy oil by reducing the levels of histamine in the body, thus relieving many of the typical symptoms such as sneezing, rashes and watery eyes, which is great, for example, for those who are affected by seasonal allergies.
Antihistamine effects of blue tansy can extend to the airways as well. Especially for people who suffer from breathing problems, whether acute or chronic. Fortunately, essential oils that contain camphor such as blue tansy, or those that contain eucalyptol, like eucalyptus oil, can be a great help for this kind of ailments.
Relieves pain and inflammation
Blue Tansy essential oil can be used to reduce inflammation and ease the pain of sore muscles and joints. Whether it is chronic joint pain due to arthritis, or muscle pain due to intense training, a massage or a bath of blue tansy oil can provide relief and relaxation. Also, its external application is very effective to combat rheumatism.
Keeps away fungi, viruses and microbes
Thank to its antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, blue tansy oil is ideal for treating minor scrapes, cuts, burns and insect bites.
In addition, it can be used to help treat fungal infections of the skin, nails, or scalp.
The components like tuyona and camphor stop the growth of viruses and strengthen immunity against viral diseases such as common cold, mumps, measles and smallpox, among others.
Besides, in a research study in 2011, sabinene and camphor contained in chamazulene showed their antifungal action, when they were tested against numerous fungi. Some of them are:
- Alternaria solani
- Botrytis cinerea
- Helminthosporium oryzae
- Pyricularia oryzae
- Verticillium dahliae
Hormone stimulant
Tansy oil stimulates the endocrine glands and increases the secretion of hormones. It was found particularly effective in the thyroid and thymus glands, which directly affect growth and maturity.
Natural Sedative
This oil acts as a sedative for the nervous system and emotional impulses. In cases of anxiety, mild depression, anger, nervous disorders, hysteria, panic attacks, or impulsive behavior, it can be used as a tranquilizer to induce a relaxing effect on nerves and the brain.
Besides, it helps to appease the mind and combat stress. So it is very useful in aromatherapy as well.
Skin Care
Blue tansy essential oil with its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties helps to calm rashes, reduces redness and fight blemishes .
It also helps moisturize and soothe dry, flaky, and irritated skin while improving its appearance, including mild bruising.
On the other hand, it can be a valuable complement in treatment for eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, allergic reactions, couperose, inflammation, acne, rosacea and sunburn.
Febrifuge
Most fevers are actually indicators of the ongoing struggle between the mechanism and the body’s immune infection by bacteria (such as typhoid fever, yellow fever, etc.), viruses (such as flu), protozoa (such as malaria and some others), and fungi.
The more severe our body’s reaction, the higher the body temperature becomes. Therefore, if infections are causes of fever, then inhibiting these infections would be the way to reduce fever.
Blue Tansy essential oil, is an antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral substance and, at the same time, helps our body in the fight against infections. Therefore, it reduces body temperature.
The anti-inflammatory property of this oil is added to this effect, since inflammation can also raise the body’s temperature.
Other benefits
It is also used to treat sciatica, dyspepsia, skin infections, and can help prevent miscarriages. Besides, it is an effective relief for asthma, emphysema pulmonary, rheumatism, arthritis, polyarthritis, neuritis, insect repellent, etc.
Warnings and precautions when using Blue Tansy Essential Oil
While blue tansy oil is considered generally safe, there are some considerations to take into effect.
According to Robert Tisserand, one of the world’s leading experts in aromatherapy, the chamazulene found in blue tansy inhibits CYP1A2, CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 enzymes. Therefore, anyone taking drugs metabolized by them, should avoid blue tansy and other chamazulene containing oils due to possible interaction.
Because the presence of camphor (a ketone), is advisable avoiding use less than 10 years of age, elders, epileptics, pregnant and/or nursing women, those who have high blood pressure and those who have an endocrine imbalance.
Minimal dosage only. Toxic internally.
Considered to be highly toxic to pets; ensure a scent free room is available and free roaming if diffusing, and do not apply to your pet topically.
Dilute before using. A patch test should be performed before use for those with sensitive skin.
The blue color can stain surfaces and clothing, so take care when using it.
Where to buy Blue Tansy Essential Oil?
Buy true blue tansy essential oil: Sometimes called Moroccan tansy or Moroccan blue chamomile, has a beautiful deep blue hue due to its chamazulene content. Because of this, it is also sometimes confused with German chamomile (Matricaria recutita), which also contains chamazulene.
Blue tansy should be blue: If it is brownish or black, it is no longer viable for aromatherapeutic uses. The change of color indicates age, which means oxidation and free radicals and therefore, should not be used.
This oil is often adulterated and not pure: For your safety, it is important to find a reputable distributor. Unscrupulous suppliers have even been known to add constituents to the harmful common tansy oil to give it a blue color and mislabel it to dupe consumers.
Generally, good quality oils, that is, 100% pure and not mixed with other substances, can be found in specialized natural herb stores. I personally use Organic Blue Tansy Essential Oil by Florihana to make my products for Shaman Botica.
Tips for a better performance and duration of your oils:
- Store them in a dark glass bottle, never plastic, not even when blended with a carrier oil.
- Keep them in cool, dark places, away from sources of heat and light.
- Maintain the container that holds it tightly closed, since they are very volatile and also, their properties would be lost or modified.
