Essential Oil Spotlight: Blue Tansy

Blue tansy (Tanacetum annuum) essential oil is steam-distilled from the leaves and flowers of the plant. It has a camphoraceous, sweet, and herbaceous scent.

Some properties of this oil include analgesic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antihistamine, hypotensive, hormone-like, and nervine.

Anciently, tansy was used to help heal wounds, as a diuretic, and for dealing with kidney issues.

Today, blue tansy essential oil is commonly used for anxiety, calming, and wounds. Blue tansy may also help raise blood pressure, relieve itching, reduce pain, and sedate the nerves.

Blue tansy essential oil affects the nervous system.

Applications of Blue Tansy Essential Oil and Safety Data

Topical Application: Blue tansy essential oil can be used neat (with no dilution), but it is best diluted, especially when used on children or those with sensitive skin. Apply to reflex points and/or directly on area of concern. Note: The deep blue color of blue tansy can temporarily color your skin if used undiluted.
Aromatic Application: Diffuse, or inhale the aroma of blue tansy essential oil directly. The aroma of blue tansy is uplifting, refreshing, and calming to a troubled mind. It may also help instill confidence and enthusiasm.
Internal Application: Blue tansy essential oil should not be taken orally.
Safety Note: Consult a physician before using if taking medications. Avoid using if you are pregnant or have high blood pressure.

5 Ways to Use Blue Tansy Essential Oil

1. Diffuse
Try diffusing blue tansy alone or with the following blend for an uplifting and calming scent:

2. Natural Coloring/Fragrance

Blue tansy essential oil has a deep blue color due to the chemical chamazulene, a result from the distillation process. Because blue tansy essential oil contains chamazulene, it is a natural way to provide a blue color to your DIY products. Experimental research is indicating that this same chemical, chamazulene, could prove beneficial to the skin as well.

Try using blue tansy in place of soap dye in this DIY Kid’s Soap recipe. Consider using a few drops of blue tansy essential oil in a combination with lavender and/or Roman chamomile essential oil.

Try adding a few drops of blue tansy to this Sore Muscle Salve or this Coconut Oil Soothing Balm to not only give it a soothing color, but also increase the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of the final product.

3. Oil Cleansing Roll-On for Acne or Inflamed Skin
Oil cleansing, though not intuitive, can be beneficial for oily or acne-prone skin. Conventional skin cleansers tend to strip away the skin’s natural oil and sebum, which leads the skin to produce more. This creates a vicious cycle of more sebum production, which can lead to more acne. The oil cleansing method does the opposite—it adds oil, which tells the skin to slow sebum production and leads to less oily skin and acne. The essential oils listed in this blend are anti-inflammatory oils, so this roll-on blend works great on acne or other inflamed skin.

4. Soothing Massage
Blue tansy essential oil is commonly used to calm the mind and body. What better way to relax and calm down than with a massage? Here are a couple massage blends to get you started:

5. Bath
You can also use blue tansy in a bath for a relaxing experience. Try the following bath blend, or add a drop or two of blue tansy essential oil to bath bombs.

Source:
Modern Essentials: The Complete Guide to the Therapeutic Use of Essential Oils, 9th Edition, p. 44.