Wild Tansy

  Tanacetum vulgare~~steam distilled from leaves and stems. Has a strong and sweet, camphorous aroma. The fernleaf variety has an especially high percentage of camphor. Artemesia vulgare or Mugwort is often confused with Tansy, but it is NOT the same plant. Additionally, Tansy is not Tansy Ragwort! It has many common names including Idaho Tansy, Common Tansy, Bitter Buttons, Cow Bitter, or Golden Buttons. It is not to be confused with tanacetum annum or "Blue Tansy." 

CAUTIONS:   Women who are pregnant or have epilepsy should not use this oil. Additionally children under the age of 5 should not use this oil. Dilute well  (to 1% or less) for topical use. Be wary because it potentially may have a neruotoxic effect in high dosages and is not recommended for internal use.  The camphor element may be overwhelming for diffusing or inhalation.  Because of it's high thujone level, it is not traditionally used in aromatherapy.  Do NOT ingest at all. 

 

CHARACTER: "Wild & Free" "Uncompromising Healer"  

GEMS:  Aventurine, Agate, Kambaba Jasper, Riverstone, Pyrite, Obsidian, Black Tourmaline, Hematite, Garnet

ETHERIC COLORS: Burnt Yellow, Dark Green, Rust Red 

CHAKRA:  Root Solar        

PERFUME NOTE:  Top            

Blending Factor:  Very strong

ENERGY TYPE:  3

ASTRO:  Scorpio, Aries, Mars, Saturn

ELEMENT:  Fire plus Earth

 

USED TO HEAL THESE PHYSICAL STATES:    Use sparingly in fly spray at the barn.  I have only used it as insect repellent.

PROPERTIES: Antibacterial, anticoagulant, antifungal, antiviral, anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, analgesic, nervine, insect repellent and stimulant (immune).

BLENDS:  Not used in any of my blends.   

 Contains: up to 80% thujone (depending on variety and distillation) camphor, borneol alcohol, thulyl alcohol, ketones, cineole oxide

 ARCHETYPES:  HERMIT, TRICKSTER, NATURE BOY, PIONEER, RESCUER, EXORCIST, PEST REMOVER, HARSH PURIFIER, BITTER HEALER, FIELD PROTECTOR

PERSONALITY: (this type of personality is extremely rare.)

+ Strong and aggressive.

+ Ability to draw out the best in other people.

+ Well oriented, able to hold together amid confusion and clear up "fuzzy edges."

+ Feels connection with nature's strength and power

 + Gifted at moving forward and letting go of past patterns. Helping others to get out of their stuck rut.

+ Good to have around in an emotional storm or grieving as they provide a solid shoulder to cry on. 

+ Expresses the freedom of the glorious wilderness  

- If negative, subject to dark moods and heaviness of heart.

- May sabotage themselves from achieving their goals.

- May become frustrated and speak loudly and become a harsh disciplinarian. Here is Fresh Fernleaf Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare var. crispin) I have distilled several batches of this variety.  One batch produced about 3 ml of oil and some hydrosol. This one is POWERFUL and needs major diluting for any purpose. I use it as an insecticide with the horses and on other plants.

This oil apparently has up to 40% camphor and it surely smells like it. Another use is like "moth balls" in cedar chests.

(updated Feb. 23, 2026)