Blue Tansy Essential Oil

What is Blue Tansy?

The plant itself is hairy and green with yellow flowering tops. It hails from Morocco. Although the flowering tops are steam distilled to create the oil, it turns blue during the process because of the azulene content; 'azul' meaning 'blue.'

There is a lot of confusion surrounding this hard-to-find and expensive oil. Reading books by various essential oil experts and doing Google searches does not prove to be helpful, either, and will likely just confuse the home user further.

To help weed out the misconceptions and try to help you understand why there is such confusion and what to look for, I'll compare some of the oils you may come across that can be confused with this elusive oil.

First, blue tansy (T. annuum), should never be confused with tansy (Tanacetum vulgare). This oil is highly toxic due to its high thujone content and should never be used in aromatherapy, much less by an untrained home enthusiast.

Tansy is known by many names, such as bachelor, bitter, or golden buttons; cheese, cow bitter, common tansy, or scented fern. It is related to feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) as well as daisies and marigolds.

Common tansy was once known as a 'cure-all,' being used for all sorts of ailments. However, we now know that the essential oil produced by the aerial parts is an oral toxin and abortifacient. The oil can be yellow, olive, or orange and has a sharp herbaceous odor. [2]

The second oil that blue tansy is often confused with is chamomile maroc (Ormenis multicaulis). You may see the oil called chamomile mixta, wild chamomile, Moroccan chamomile or botanically named Anthemis mixta, or O. mixta. The oil is sometimes called ormenis oil.

While both blue tansy and ormenis oil are both called Moroccan chamomile at times, they are distinctly different. The ormenis plant also closely resembles the traditional chamomiles Roman (Anthemis nobilis) and German (Matricaria recutita), but it is a separate species. [3]

Both of these plants grow in and their oils primarily produced in Morocco. Nonetheless, chamomile maroc oil is greenish-yellow to amber and warmly balsamic yet sweet and herbaceous.

The oil from O. multicaulis has no known contraindications or side effects and is considered non-irritating and non-toxic, unlike common tansy oil. However, it is not interchangeable with blue tansy oil.

True blue tansy 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.

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.

Always perform due diligence to ensure the oil is sourced from Tanacetum annuum. Often, the price of the oil will provide clues to whether the oil is pure. If it seems too good to be true, it likely is. True blue tansy is pricey and can be hard to find in pure form.

Blue tansy oil blends well with lavender oil (Lavandula angustifolia), citrus oils like sweet orange (Citrus sinensis), clove bud (Syzygium aromaticum) and other spice oils, frankincense (Boswellia carterii), lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus / citratus) and more.

Blue Tansy Essential Oil Uses

Due to the possible contamination and prohibitive cost, blue tansy is not an oil that is often used. However, if you are able to source it and want to experience its benefits, there are numerous uses for it in the home.

The blue color can stain surfaces and clothing, so take care when using it.

Skincare

There are a number of uses for blue tansy on the skin. That being said, you will want to dilute the oil well. Just as it can stain objects, it can stain your skin. Using too much could have you looking like a smurf for a while!

You can use blue tansy in blends for acne, psoriasis, eczema, dry skin, and more. It has a cooling sensation that makes it fantastic for sunburns. One drop neat on an irritated bug bite can help fight the inflammation.

For Acne:

You can put one drop neat on a blemish. For more persistent breakouts, add a couple drops to your favorite cleanser. Do not go over five percent per volume.

For Dermatitis, Dry Skin, Eczema, Psoriasis:

Just like for acne, you can add a few drops to your moisturizing lotion. Again, no more than five percent.

Sunburn:

While we all know the dangers of too much sun, yet sometimes we still get burnt. Aloe is one of the most common soothers for what can be rather painful, depending on the severity. Next time a summer day turns into a painful week, try the following blend:

• ½ ounce Aloe Vera gel
• 10 drops Rosehip Seed (Rosa rubiginosa)
• 5 drops Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
• 4 drops Helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum)
• 4 drops Blue Tansy (Tanacetum annuum)

Mood-booster

Aromatically, blue tansy is a mood enhancer. Add it to your diffuser or room sprays to create an uplifting, brighter-feeling environment.

You can also use blue tansy in personal inhalers, your bath or shower, or simply place a drop on a cotton ball to inhale when needed.

Relaxing Massage

Between its cooling and uplifting effects, blue tansy essential oil is an excellent choice for times when a massage with a little extra 'oomph' is needed. You can use it for after-exercise blends, cramping muscles, aching joints, arthritis, or just to unwind.

Ready-for-Sleep Massage Blend

• 3 drops Blue Tansy (Tanacetum annuum)
• 2 drops Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
• 1 drop Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)

Add the above blend to one teaspoon of carrier oil. Massage around the shoulders, back, and other areas where tension is felt. Do not use this recipe on pregnant women, epileptics, or anyone on multiple medications, especially antidepressants or sedatives due to the valerian.

Decongestant

The antihistamine effects of blue tansy can extend to the airways as well. Many people suffer breathing problems, whether acute or chronic, and some essential oils can help with that. This is especially true of those containing camphor, like blue tansy, or eucalyptol, like eucalyptus oils.

You can use blue tansy in facial steams by adding 3-6 drops of the oil to a bowl of steaming water. Place a towel over the back of your head and breathe in the vapors with your face about 12-inches from the water for 5-15 minutes. Stop if you get dizzy or feel ill.

According to published aromatherapist KG Stiles, the bronchodilating effect of the oil can be enhanced by lemongrass and is useful for asthmatics and those with emphysema as well. [4]

Blue Tansy Essential Oil Benefits

Kurt Schnaubelt, as well as many other essential oil aficionados, tout the benefits of blue tansy as a potent antihistamine and anti-inflammatory.

Antihistamine

When bugs bite, there can be many reactions ranging from mild to severe. They can cause itching, pain, redness, and swelling. These are caused by an allergic reaction, which your body's immune system responds to with histamine. [5]

Oral antihistamines like Benadryl® are often recommended to calm the histamine reaction. This is helpful for allergic reactions ranging from runny noses and sneezing from pollen to skin rashes from detergents, bug bites, and more.

There are also topical antihistamines, like Calamine® lotion, hydrocortisone, or baking soda. Some essential oils, especially the chamomiles, blue tansy, and lavender, can calm the histamine reactions on the skin from irritations like bug bites due to their active constituents.

You can apply these oils neat using one drop on the bite. You may also add the oils to your regular topical application like those above.

Anti-inflammatory

According to Kurt Schnaubelt, the sesquiterpene lactones available in blue tansy essential oil inhibits NF-kappa-beta, which mediates inflammation. He states that the oil works in the beginning stages to prevent protein synthesis that causes the inflammation in the first place. [6]

Repels Insects

Besides being able to ease the inflammation caused by histamine reactions from bug bites like mosquitoes, it may be able to help keep them away too.

Next time you need to keep the annoying critters and no-see-ums away, try the following blend.

Insect Guard

• 4 drops Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus / citratus)
• 4 drops Citronella (Cymbopogon nardus)
• 4 drops Lemon (Citrus limon)
• 4 drops Blue Tansy (Tanacetum annuum)

Add the above to a spray bottle with 8-ounces of room temperature water. Spray the area around where you would like to keep mosquitoes and other biting insects.

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Blue Tansy Essential Oil Research, Facts, and Studies

There is very little reliable information about blue tansy oil, and even less reputable studies.

Antifungal

Besides chamazulene, blue tansy contains sabinene and camphor. In a research study in 2011, the oil was tested against numerous fungi:

• Alternaria solani
• Botrytis cinerea
• Helminthosporium oryzae
• Pyricularia oryzae
• Verticillium dahliae

At 5,000 parts per million (PPM), the oil was found to effectively inhibit the growth of all fungi above. [7]

Safety

While blue tansy oil is considered generally safe for most people in the normal range of use, there are some considerations to take into effect.

According to Robert Tisserand, 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 a possible interaction. [8]

This oil should also not be used by pregnant or nursing women or those who have an endocrine imbalance. [9]

Camphor, which is found in blue tansy oil, is not recommended for children under ten or the elderly.

Furthermore, as the name states, 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 color change extends to other oils as well.

Conclusion

Blue tansy oil is as elusive and confusing as it is beautiful and helpful. The blue color will tip you off to its chamazulene content, but you still have to be careful to source it proactively.

If you can find the true oil, it is beneficial for many things, primarily to aid in skin and mood conditions. Find a reputable supplier, and when you are able to, try to purchase an organic form.

Safety