# Blue Tansy essential oil

> A rare, deep-blue single oil distilled from tansy flowers, prized in skincare for its calming, chamazulene-rich profile.

Canonical page: https://essential-oils.club/oils/single/blue-tansy

Type: Single oil

## At a glance

- **Botanical name:** Tanacetum annuum
- **Plant part:** Flowering tops
- **Extraction:** Steam-distilled
- **Aroma:** Sweet, herbaceous, fruity
- **Origin:** Morocco
- **Blends with:** Lavender, bergamot

## Composition (GC-MS research aggregate)

Based on 2 GC-MS samples from 2 peer-reviewed papers (2023–2023); Limited evidence base. 42 compounds reported in total. Typical share of the oil (median, with interquartile range):

| Compound | Class | Median % | IQR % | Max % | Papers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| camphor | Oxygenated monoterpene | 16.69 | 16.69–16.69 | 16.69 | 1 |
| myrcene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 8.14 | 5.38–10.9 | 13.67 | 2 |
| limonene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 7.44 | 5.61–9.27 | 11.1 | 2 |
| α-pinene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 7.26 | 4.71–9.82 | 12.37 | 2 |
| bornyl acetate | Oxygenated monoterpene | 11.97 | 11.97–11.97 | 11.97 | 1 |
| borneol | Oxygenated monoterpene | 5.56 | 5.17–5.95 | 6.33 | 2 |
| sabinene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 4.94 | 2.66–7.21 | 9.49 | 2 |
| chamazulene | Other terpenoid/aromatic | 4.68 | 4.08–5.28 | 5.87 | 2 |
| β-pinene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 4.62 | 3.08–6.16 | 7.7 | 2 |
| α-phellandrene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 4.08 | 2.64–5.51 | 6.95 | 2 |
| terpinen-4-ol | Oxygenated monoterpene | 2.46 | 2.24–2.67 | 2.89 | 2 |
| α-terpinyl acetate | Oxygenated monoterpene | 4.62 | 4.62–4.62 | 4.62 | 1 |

Chemotypes seen in the samples: camphor (50% of samples), myrcene (50% of samples).

## Key constituents

- **Sabinene** (10-25%) — Major monoterpene contributing to the oil's herbaceous-fruity aroma
- **Chamazulene** — Naturally occurring compound responsible for the oil's striking deep-blue color
- **Camphor** — Contributes a cooling, slightly medicinal facet

## How to use it

- **In the diffuser:** 2–3 drops alone, or a small amount in a floral mix — its aroma easily dominates a blend.
- **On skin:** Dilute in a carrier oil — a favorite in premium facial blends and serums.

## Safety

- For topical use, dilute in a carrier oil and keep out of reach of children.
- Maximum dermal use: Dilute in a carrier oil for skin.
- 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.

## What the research says

- 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) (https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1999.9701150)

## Evidence

- 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) (https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1999.9701150)

## 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.

### 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.

### 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.

## Sources (GC-MS studies)

- Belcadi H, Aknouch A, El Amrani S, Chraka A, Lachkar M, Mouhib M, Zantar S, Ibnmansour A. Gamma-irradiation effect on the chemical composition and antibacterial activity of the moroccan tanacetum annuum L. essential oil. _Heliyon_, 2023. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC10245259
- Ettakifi H, Abbassi K, Maouni S, Erbiai EH, Rahmouni A, Legssyer M, Saidi R, Lamrani Z, Esteves da Silva JCG, Pinto E, Maouni A. 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)_, 2023. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC10526058

_Educational reference only — not medical advice. Essential oils are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease._