Blue Tansy (Tanacetum annuum)
A rare, deep-blue single oil distilled from tansy flowers, prized in skincare for its calming, chamazulene-rich profile.
How to use it
2–3 drops alone, or a small amount in a floral mix — its aroma easily dominates a blend.
Dilute in a carrier oil — a favorite in premium facial blends and serums.
Safety in detail
- Max dermal use
- Dilute in a carrier oil for skin
- Phototoxic
- No
- Use blue tansy (Tanacetum annuum), NOT common tansy (Tanacetum vulgare), which is high in toxic thujone.
- Its deep blue chamazulene can stain fabrics and light surfaces.
- Not phototoxic. Keep out of reach of children.
Sources: JEOR study (1999)
Composition & chemistry
Aggregated from 2 GC-MS samples across 2 peer-reviewed open-access studies (2023). Figures are the distribution across those samples — median with interquartile range — not a single reading.
- Monoterpene hydrocarbon 49.6%
- Oxygenated monoterpene 30.5%
- Sesquiterpene hydrocarbon 8.6%
- Other terpenoid/aromatic 7.1%
- Unclassified 2.5%
- Oxygenated sesquiterpene 1.6%
- Diterpene 0.1%
| Constituent | Median | Typical range | Max | Detected in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| camphor ↗ C10H16O | 16.7% | 16.7–16.7% | 16.7% | |
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| bornyl acetate ↗ C12H20O2 | 12.0% | 12.0–12.0% | 12.0% | |
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| myrcene ↗ C10H16 | 8.1% | 5.4–10.9% | 13.7% | |
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| limonene ↗ C10H16 | 7.4% | 5.6–9.3% | 11.1% | |
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| α-pinene ↗ C10H16 | 7.3% | 4.7–9.8% | 12.4% | |
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| borneol ↗ C10H18O | 5.6% | 5.2–6.0% | 6.3% | |
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| sabinene ↗ C10H16 | 4.9% | 2.7–7.2% | 9.5% | |
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| chamazulene ↗ C14H16 | 4.7% | 4.1–5.3% | 5.9% | |
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| β-pinene ↗ C10H16 | 4.6% | 3.1–6.2% | 7.7% | |
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| α-terpinyl acetate ↗ C12H20O2 | 4.6% | 4.6–4.6% | 4.6% | |
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| α-phellandrene ↗ C10H16 | 4.1% | 2.6–5.5% | 7.0% | |
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| terpinen-4-ol ↗ C10H18O | 2.5% | 2.2–2.7% | 2.9% | |
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+ 30 more compounds reported across the dataset.
2 peer-reviewed sources behind these figures
- Belcadi H, Aknouch A, El Amrani S, Chraka A, Lachkar M, Mouhib M, Zantar S, Ibnmansour A. (2023). Gamma-irradiation effect on the chemical composition and antibacterial activity of the moroccan tanacetum annuum L. essential oil. Heliyon.
- Ettakifi H, Abbassi K, Maouni S, Erbiai EH, Rahmouni A, Legssyer M, Saidi R, Lamrani Z, Esteves da Silva JCG, Pinto E, Maouni A. (2023). Chemical Characterization and Antifungal Activity of Blue Tansy (Tanacetum annuum) Essential Oil and Crude Extracts against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. albedinis, an Agent Causing Bayoud Disease of Date Palm. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland).
Every figure above traces to a named table in one of these open-access papers. How this was built →
- Chamazulene — the deep-blue sesquiterpene formed in distillation, studied for anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing activity in vitro JEOR study (1999)
Its striking deep-blue color comes from natural chamazulene formed during distillation.
What the research says
An honest read of the published research — what has actually been studied, at what stage. Not medical advice or a promise of results.
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Blue tansy's chamazulene has been studied for anti-inflammatory-related and skin-soothing activity in the laboratory. These are in-vitro findings about the constituent, not clinical proof the oil treats skin conditions.
JEOR study (1999)
Evidence & sources
Peer-reviewed research on Blue Tansy's chemistry and safety. These describe composition and documented effects — not health or treatment claims.
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Blue tansy is a sabinene- and chamazulene-rich oil; the chamazulene forms during distillation and gives the oil its striking deep blue colour.
JEOR study (1999)
Frequently asked questions
Is blue tansy the same as tansy?
No — and the difference is important. Blue tansy (Tanacetum annuum) is a gentle, chamazulene-rich oil; common tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) is high in neurotoxic thujone and should be avoided. Check the botanical name. JEOR study (1999)
Why is blue tansy blue?
The blue colour comes from chamazulene, which isn't in the fresh plant but forms from a precursor during steam distillation — the same phenomenon that makes German chamomile blue. JEOR study (1999)
Is blue tansy phototoxic?
No — blue tansy isn't phototoxic, so there's no sun-exposure restriction. It can stain, though, so dilute and handle it carefully.
Gallery
The Plant
Blue Tansy (Tanacetum annuum) is a small, daisy-like flowering plant grown mainly in Morocco, particularly in the region around Beni Mellal, where it’s cultivated specifically for oil production rather than as an ornamental or culinary plant. It should not be confused with common tansy (Tanacetum vulgare), a different, more toxic plant historically used with caution in Western herbalism — blue tansy is a distinct species grown and distilled specifically for its gentler, distinctive oil.
Extraction & Aroma
The oil is steam-distilled from the flowering tops and is one of the more expensive oils in most collections because of notably low yields — it can take a large quantity of flowers to produce a small amount of oil — combined with its striking deep-blue color, again from natural chamazulene content formed during distillation. The aroma itself is sweet, herbaceous, and slightly fruity, quite different from what the intense blue color might suggest.
Traditional & Everyday Uses
In the diffuser: 2–3 drops alone, or a small amount blended into a floral mix, since its aroma is potent for the quantity used and can easily dominate a blend if overused.
On skin: dilute in a carrier oil before use; blue tansy is prized in skincare formulations aimed at sensitive or reactive-looking skin, and it’s a favorite ingredient in premium facial blends and serums.
Pairing
Blue tansy blends well with lavender for a calming, floral combination, or with a light citrus like bergamot to brighten its otherwise sweet, heavy character.
Sourcing Note
Blue tansy’s rarity and price make it a common target for adulteration — diluted or synthetically colored substitutes are not uncommon in the wider market, so buying from a traceable source matters more here than with most oils.
Found in these blends
Blue Tansy is one of the oils inside 15 Young Living blends.