The grass, known under the Latin name Tanacetum vulgare L, is common tansy, has long been used in folk medicine. It increases the body's resistance to infectious diseases. The aqueous extract from the plant accelerates the treatment of measles, flu, colds, sore throats. The grass has antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects. It promotes the healing of inflammatory processes of the skin (for example, atopic dermatitis), abscesses, acne, herpes and ulcers.
Like many herbs, tansy contains toxic compounds and can cause serious health problems if overdosed or misused.
Common tansy - description
Tansy in appearance resembles a chamomile pharmacy. It has the same stiff, long stems (with a height of about 1-1.5 m), not very densely covered with large, cirrus leaves, and umbellate inflorescences form on the top of the plant. However, in chamomile they are softer and not very thick, and 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 glades and the banks of water bodies. Most often found in large quantities. In Russia is quite common.
Duration of collection and drying
Medicinal raw materials are all aboveground parts: stems, flowers (baskets), leaves of tansy ordinary (pictured).
Stems and leaves are harvested before and during flowering. Flowers should be picked during flowering. Leaves are cut from May to August, while flowers from July to August, possibly until September. Given that the flower baskets inside are difficult to dry out and darken over a long period of time, it is best to dry them at 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, valerianic acid;
- flavonoids (quercetin, apigenin, dirsmethine, diosmin);
- tannins;
- phytosterols.
The main component of tansy essential oil is Ξ²-thujone (about 60-70%). The plant owes its therapeutic properties to the presence of precisely this substance in its composition.
The biologically active compounds contained in tansy exhibit anti-inflammatory, highly disinfectant, analgesic, antispasmodic, sedative, antidepressant effects.
Tansy - pharmacological action
The healing properties of tansy common for the body are, first of all:
- Stimulation of the heart, increased strength of myocardial contraction.
- Regulation of the menstrual cycle. Increased blood supply to the genitals and increased sensation of sexual sensations.
- Getting rid of headaches, menstrual cramps, colic.
- Auxiliary therapeutic effect in autoimmune diseases (psoriasis, rheumatism, lupus).
- Protection and additional assistance in the treatment of infectious diseases, such as measles, flu, colds, sore throats.
- Tansy relieves most of the simplest parasites, insects and ticks.
- The plant is an alternative to steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It inhibits inflammatory reactions, because it is an inhibitor for histamine, thromboxane, leukotriene and prostaglandin.
- It prevents stagnation of blood, the 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 decongestant effect. Tones up skeletal muscles.
- An alcoholic infusion from a plant is used in the treatment of acne. Its regular use gives good results in treatment, which are comparable with the effectiveness of selenium sulfide and erythromycin.
- Herb compresses quickly heal large painful abscesses. Wraps with tansy infusion relieve bruises, swelling during injuries, swelling of the limbs, petechiae and bruises.
- Decoctions and compresses with grass treat the inflammatory processes of the mucous membranes, including 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 overwork;
- 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 infections of the eyes;
- impotence;
- parasitic infections of the gastrointestinal tract, for example pinworms, roundworms, giardiasis;
- headache;
- menstrual cramps, premenstrual syndrome;
- disturbances of cerebral, coronary circulation and blood circulation in the limbs;
- cold hands and feet syndrome;
- frequent fainting;
- allergic diseases;
- oncological diseases;
- insomnia, nightmares;
- colds, runny nose, cough, airway inflammation;
- autoimmune diseases (for example, psoriasis, lupus, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis);
- violation of the secretion of bile, gallstone disease;
- inflammatory processes of the urinary tract and kidneys;
- liver disease.
Tansy - natural repellent
In addition to the above medicinal properties, tansy is used as a natural repellent. The plant gives off a characteristic odor that resembles the smell of camphor, so it effectively repels flies, mosquitoes, ants, aphids, moths, ticks and other insects.
Grass can be ground and then rubbed into the skin. The plant can also be brewed, cooled and sprayed with its body. Tansy essential oil is also used for these purposes. However, it should be remembered that it can 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 per one fifth of a glass of base oil.
Toxicological properties and contraindications
Since the main component of tansy is thujone, which in large quantities is a toxic agent, it is not recommended to drink infusions prepared solely on the basis of this plant. In case of overdose with preparations containing tansy, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, excessive sweating, and also a change in heart rhythm are manifested. In addition, hallucinations and frequent urination may appear. Herbal tincture with prolonged ingestion is addictive.
Contraindications tansy ordinary:
- Plants can not be used by pregnant women, this can cause a miscarriage.
- Tansy should not be used in treatment and while breastfeeding. Herb components can pass into breast milk of nursing mothers and be a danger to a young baby.
Decoction of tansy flowers with pediculosis
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon of tansy flowers, 1/2 tablespoon of thyme herb or wormwood herb.
Method of preparation: a mixture of herbs should be poured into a pan and pour 1 cup boiling water. Then slowly heat under the lid to a boil (do not boil). It is necessary to set aside the agent to cool for 15 minutes, then strain. The broth is used externally for pediculosis. This liquid should be liberally moistened with hair and scalp and tied with a scarf for 2-3 hours. Then the head must be washed and combed with a comb with frequent teeth. After 24 hours, rinse your hair with water and vinegar and comb out again with a parasite comb. Repeat both procedures after 6-7 days. A possible side effect may be skin irritation.
Tansy tincture
A glass of dried tansy grass should be poured with a glass of a strong alcoholic drink (alcohol 70% is better). The prepared solution must be tightly closed and put in a dark place for a week. Tincture can be used 2 times a day for a tablespoon, diluting in half a glass of water. Tincture has a warming, analgesic and anti-rheumatic effect. It can be rubbed into diseased lower limbs and joints.
Herb infusion
A tablespoon of dried or fresh raw material of tansy grass pour a glass of boiling water. Cover and let stand for 20 minutes. Then strain the infusion. Prepared tea from tansy should be drunk 3 times a day. The infusion has a softening effect on abdominal pain, cleanses the body and leaches toxins. It also shows a strong antiparasitic effect.
Tansy Acne Mask
A natural mask to combat acne is a terrific 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 starts up juices. This herbal slurry should be applied once a day for 15 minutes to the entire face, avoiding the eye area. The procedure is repeated up to 3 times a week, but no more than 10 times a month.
Plant tansy
In protecting garden plants from insects, green parts of the plant and its inflorescences are used.
To prepare a deterrent against ants - 1 kg of chopped tansy leaves is poured with 10 liters of water and insisted for 2 to 4 weeks. Once a day, mix thoroughly. The solution is ready to use when it ceases to foam and becomes transparent.
Without dilution, the suspension is used to combat ants in the garden. She should water places with ants and anthill. A 1:15 dilution is used against aphids during the growing season as a spray on plants and trees.