The herb, known by the Latin name Tanacetum vulgare L, - common tansy, has long been used in folk medicine. It increases the body's resistance to infectious diseases. An aqueous extract from the plant accelerates the treatment of measles, flu, colds, sore throats. The herb has antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory effects. Promotes healing of inflammatory processes of the skin (for example, atopic dermatitis), abscesses, acne, herpes and ulcers.
Like many medicinal plants, tansy contains poisonous compounds and, if overdosed or misused, can cause serious he alth problems.
Tansy ordinary - description
Tansy in appearance resembles chamomile. It has the same hard, long stems (with a heightabout 1-1.5 m), not very densely covered with large, feathery leaves, and umbrella inflorescences form at the top of the plant. However, in chamomile they are softer and not very dense, while in tansy they form larger, dense, almost flat flower baskets. They are bright yellow-orange.
Grass blooms from July to September. It grows on roadside sites, meadows, fields, forest clearings and banks of water bodies. Most often found in bulk. In Russia, it is quite common.
Date of collection and drying
Medicinal raw materials are all aerial parts: stems, flowers (baskets), leaves of common tansy (pictured).
Stems and leaves are harvested before and during flowering. Flowers should be collected during flowering. The leaves are cut from May to August, while the flowers are from July to August, possibly until September. Considering that the flower baskets inside are difficult to dry and darken when dried for a long time, it is best to dry them at a high temperature. Raw materials must be dried in a dark place where the temperature does not exceed 35 degrees. This is best done in a slightly preheated oven.
Tansy - chemical composition
Tansy contains:
- essential oil (1.5-2%);
- malic, tartaric, valeric acid;
- flavonoids (quercetin, apigenin, dirsmetin, diosmin);
- tannins;
- phytosterols.
The main component of tansy essential oil is β-thujone (about 60-70%). The plant owes its therapeutic properties tothe presence in its composition of this particular substance.
Biologically active compounds contained in tansy exhibit anti-inflammatory, strong disinfectant, analgesic, antispasmodic, sedative, antidepressant effects.
Tansy - pharmacological action
The healing properties of common tansy for the body are, first of all:
- Stimulate the work of the heart, increase the force of myocardial contraction.
- Regulation of the menstrual cycle. Increasing the blood supply to the genital organs and enhancing the sensation of sexual sensations.
- Relief from headaches, menstrual cramps, colic.
- Auxiliary therapeutic action in autoimmune diseases (psoriasis, rheumatism, lupus).
- Protection and additional help in the treatment of infectious diseases, such as measles, flu, colds, sore throats.
- Tansy gets rid of most protozoan parasites, insects and mites.
- The plant is an alternative to steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It inhibits inflammatory reactions, because it is an inhibitor of histamine, thromboxane, leukotriene and prostaglandin.
- Prevents stagnation of blood, deposition of cholesterol plaques in the arteries and the formation of blood clots.
- Suppresses the action of the following endogenous substances in the body: acetylcholine, norepinephrine, serotonin, bradykinin. It has a diuretic and anti-edematous effect. Tones skeletal muscles.
- Alcoholic infusion from the plant is used in the treatmentacne. Its regular use gives good results in treatment, which are comparable to the effectiveness of selenium sulfide and erythromycin.
- Herbal compresses quickly heal large, painful boils. Wraps with infusion of tansy relieve bruises, swelling due to injuries, swelling of the limbs, petechiae and bruises.
- Decoctions and compresses with herbs treat inflammation of the mucous membranes, including those in the anus, genitals, pharynx, nasopharynx, and mouth. Drops with tansy extract relieve purulent inflammation of the sinuses.
Indications
The main indications for the use of tansy are:
- infectious diseases;
- weakness and nervous fatigue;
- depression;
- deficiency of digestive juices (pepsin, gastric juice), diseases of the gallbladder, biliary tract and liver, colic, pain in the abdomen and abdominal cavity, constipation;
- slow metabolism;
- violation of detoxification processes;
- chronic skin diseases caused by viral, bacterial, infections and the appearance of fungal infections (acne, eczema, abscesses, boils, lichen, herpes, ulcers, demodicosis, scabies);
- inflammatory processes and bacterial and fungal eye infections;
- impotence;
- parasitic infections of the gastrointestinal tract, eg pinworms, roundworms, giardiasis;
- headaches;
- menstrual cramps, premenstrual syndrome;
- disorders of cerebral, coronary and limb circulation;
- cold syndromearms and legs;
- frequent fainting;
- allergic diseases;
- oncological diseases;
- insomnia, nightmares;
- colds, runny nose, cough, inflammation of the respiratory tract;
- autoimmune diseases (e.g. psoriasis, lupus, diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis);
- disorders of bile secretion, cholelithiasis;
- inflammatory processes of the urinary tract and kidneys;
- liver disease.
Tansy is a natural repellant
In addition to the above medicinal properties, common tansy is used as a natural repellent. The plant emits a characteristic smell that resembles the smell of camphor, so it effectively repels flies, mosquitoes, ants, aphids, moths, mites and other insects.
The grass can be crushed and then rubbed into the skin. The plant can also be brewed, cooled and sprayed on the body. For these purposes, essential oil from tansy is also used. However, it should be remembered that it should not be applied directly to the skin. It must be diluted in base oil (sunflower, almond, grape seed oil). The following proportions are used - 15 drops of essential oil to one-fifth cup of base oil.
Toxicological properties and contraindications
Since the main component of tansy is thujone, which is a toxic agent in large quantities, it is not recommended to drink infusions prepared exclusively on the basis of this plant. In case of an overdose of drugs containing tansy, it manifests itself: nausea, vomiting,diarrhea, dizziness, excessive sweating, and changes in heart rhythm. In addition, hallucinations and frequent urination may occur. Herbal tincture is addictive when taken orally for a long time.
Contraindications for tansy vulgaris:
- Plants should not be taken by pregnant women as it may cause miscarriage.
- Tancy should not be used in medical treatment or while breastfeeding. Components of the herb can pass into the breast milk of breastfeeding mothers and pose a risk to a small child.
Decoction of tansy flowers for pediculosis
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon tansy flowers, 1/2 tablespoon thyme herb or wormwood herb.
Method of preparation: a mixture of herbs should be poured into a saucepan and pour 1 cup of boiling water. Then slowly heat under the lid until boiling (do not boil). It is necessary to set aside the product to cool for 15 minutes, then strain. The decoction is used externally for pediculosis. This liquid should be abundantly moistened with hair and scalp and tied with a handkerchief for 2-3 hours. Then the head must be washed and combed with a comb with frequent teeth. After 24 hours, rinse hair with vinegar and water and comb out again with a comb of parasites. Repeat both procedures after 6-7 days. Possible side effect may be skin irritation.
Tancy tincture
A glass of dried tansy grass should be poured with a glass of strong alcoholic drink (70% alcohol is better). The prepared solution isclose tightly and put in a dark place for a week. Tincture can be consumed 2 times a day for a tablespoon, diluted in half a glass of water. The tincture has a warming, analgesic and antirheumatic effect. It can be rubbed into sore lower limbs and joints.
Herbal infusion
A tablespoon of dried or fresh herbs of tansy pour a glass of boiling water. Cover with a lid and let stand 20 minutes. Then strain the infusion. Prepared tea from common tansy should be drunk 3 times a day. The infusion has a softening effect on abdominal pain, cleanses the body and flushes out toxins. It also exhibits a strong antiparasitic effect.
Mask against acne from tansy
Natural Acne Mask is an amazing addition to standard bath products. Its preparation is extremely simple, it does not require much effort. A handful of fresh tansy should be kneaded until the grass releases its juices. This herbal slurry should be applied once a day for 15 minutes on the entire face, avoiding the eye area. Repeat the procedure up to 3 times a week, but no more than 10 times a month.
Tancy plant protection product
Green parts of the plant and its inflorescences are used to protect garden plants from insects.
To prepare a repellent against ants - 1 kg of chopped tansy leaves is poured into 10 liters of water and infused for 2 to 4 weeks. Mix thoroughly once a day. The solution is ready for use whenstops foaming and becomes transparent.
Undiluted suspension is used to control ants in the garden. She should water places with ants and an anthill. A 1:15 dilution is used against aphids during the growing season as a spray on plants and trees.
