Tanacetum Annuum Flower/Leaf/Stem Oil

Tanacetum Annuum Flower/Leaf/Stem Oil and pregnancy

Not Recommended

• Absorbed into the body
• Hormone disruptor

Tanacetum annuum oil, also known as blue tansy oil, is an essential oil with anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing properties. Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts that contain various volatile compounds. Blue tansy contains camphor, sabinene, and other terpenes that give it therapeutic properties but also raise safety considerations during pregnancy. According to aromatherapy safety guidelines and obstetric recommendations, many essential oils should be used cautiously or avoided during pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester. While blue tansy is considered safer than some other tansy species (common tansy contains thujone and is contraindicated in pregnancy), there is limited specific data on topical use during pregnancy. Essential oils can be absorbed through skin and potentially affect the developing fetus. Some aromatherapy experts advise avoiding all essential oils in the first trimester when fetal organ development is most critical. ACOG recommends that pregnant women consult healthcare providers before using essential oils, as some compounds can cross the placenta. While blue tansy doesn't contain the most concerning compounds found in other tansy species, the lack of comprehensive safety data means many practitioners recommend avoiding it during pregnancy or waiting until after the first trimester. Pregnant women should dilute essential oils properly if choosing to use them and avoid application to large body areas or near mucous membranes.

Tanacetum Annuum Flower/Leaf/Stem Oil and breastfeeding

Caution Advised

• Passes into breast milk
• Infant exposure

Blue tansy oil is an essential oil with anti-inflammatory properties. Essential oils are lipophilic (fat-soluble) and can potentially pass into breast milk, particularly with regular or extensive topical use. The volatile compounds in essential oils can also be inhaled by breastfed infants during close contact. While specific studies on blue tansy and breastfeeding are lacking, aromatherapy experts and lactation consultants generally recommend caution with essential oils during breastfeeding. The concern is not just about transfer through breast milk, but also about infant inhalation exposure and potential skin contact if applied to areas near where the baby's face might rest during feeding. Infants have immature detoxification systems and may react more strongly to essential oil compounds than adults. The AAD and many lactation consultants advise limiting essential oil use during breastfeeding, particularly avoiding application to the chest area. If breastfeeding mothers choose to use products with blue tansy oil, they should ensure proper dilution, apply to areas away from the infant's contact, and observe the baby for any signs of sensitivity. Many practitioners suggest waiting to introduce essential oils until after weaning.

Tanacetum Annuum Flower/Leaf/Stem Oil and postpartum

Safe to Use

• Common allergen

Blue tansy oil offers anti-inflammatory and soothing benefits that can be helpful for postpartum skin concerns. Without breastfeeding considerations, the primary concern is potential for allergic reactions or skin sensitivity, which may be heightened during the postpartum period due to hormonal changes. For postpartum women not breastfeeding, blue tansy oil can be used to address skin irritation, inflammation, or sensitivity. It's considered one of the gentler essential oils. Women should patch-test products first, especially if they have a history of sensitive skin or essential oil reactions. Proper dilution in skincare products minimizes risk.

Tanacetum Annuum Flower/Leaf/Stem Oil and trying to conceive

Caution Advised

• Hormone disruptor

Blue tansy oil is an essential oil with limited specific data on its effects during the preconception period. While it's not known to directly impact fertility, aromatherapy experts often recommend that women trying to conceive treat their bodies as if already pregnant and exercise caution with essential oils. The concern is that some essential oil compounds may have subtle hormonal effects or could accumulate in the body before conception occurs. Since women trying to conceive may not immediately know when pregnancy begins, many practitioners suggest avoiding essential oils that lack clear safety data during the preconception phase. If choosing to use blue tansy, ensure proper dilution and consider discontinuing once actively trying to conceive or in the two-week wait period.

Tanacetum Annuum Flower/Leaf/Stem Oil and PCOS

Safe to Use

Blue tansy oil is valued for its anti-inflammatory and skin-calming properties. For women with PCOS who often experience inflammatory skin conditions like acne, redness, or sensitivity, blue tansy can provide soothing benefits without negatively affecting hormones. Unlike some essential oils that may have hormone-like effects, blue tansy is not known to interfere with androgen levels or insulin sensitivity. Its anti-inflammatory properties may actually be beneficial for managing PCOS-related skin inflammation and reducing the appearance of breakouts. Women with PCOS can safely use properly diluted blue tansy oil in skincare products. The ingredient may help calm inflamed acne-prone skin without the hormonal concerns associated with some other botanicals. Those with very sensitive skin should patch-test first, but the ingredient is generally well-tolerated.

Tanacetum Annuum Flower/Leaf/Stem Oil and general use

Safe to Use

• Common allergen
• Irritant

Tanacetum annuum oil, known as blue tansy oil, is an essential oil prized for its beautiful blue color (from chamazulene, a potent anti-inflammatory compound) and skin-soothing properties. It's used in cosmetics to calm irritation, reduce redness, and provide antioxidant benefits. Blue tansy is gentler than many essential oils and is popular in products for sensitive skin. Like all essential oils, blue tansy can cause allergic reactions or sensitization in some individuals, particularly with repeated use or if not properly diluted. People with sensitive skin or essential oil allergies should patch-test products first. The ingredient has relatively low irritation potential compared to many other essential oils, with an irritancy rating of 2 out of 5 and very low comedogenic potential. In the EU and US, blue tansy oil is permitted in cosmetics when used in appropriate concentrations. It must be properly labeled, and products containing certain levels must declare potential allergens. For the general public, blue tansy in properly formulated cosmetics is considered safe and beneficial, offering anti-inflammatory properties without the high irritation risk of some other essential oils.

Everything else flagged for the same profiles

• Flagged in pregnancy
• Flagged in breastfeeding
• Flagged in trying to conceive

Related ingredients

Ingredients suggested in place of Tanacetum Annuum Flower/Leaf/Stem Oil, each one with its own page here.

• Allantoin

Ingredients that raise the same concerns.

• Ocimum Basilicum OilHormone disruptor, Infant exposure, Passes into breast milk
• Azadirachta Indica Seed OilHormone disruptor, Infant exposure, Passes into breast milk
• Melia Azadirachta Seed OilHormone disruptor, Infant exposure, Passes into breast milk
• ResorcinolHormone disruptor, Infant exposure, Passes into breast milk
• Myristica Fragrans Kernel OilHormone disruptor, Infant exposure, Passes into breast milk
• Thymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf OilHormone disruptor, Infant exposure, Passes into breast milk

Where this came from

Truva summarises published guidance from bodies including ACOG, the FDA, the EU SCCS and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review. It has no access to your medical history and it is not a substitute for your doctor, dermatologist or midwife. These assessments have not been reviewed by a clinician, and nothing here is a diagnosis or a prescription. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or being treated for PCOS, take the ingredient list to the person looking after you.

Assessment last pulled from the ingredient database on 15 September 2026.