Tansy side effects

Risks of taking tansy

• Dermatitis due to contact with the leaves, flowers or fruits of the fresh plant.

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  Allergy: tansy has a high allergenic potential due to its content in sesquiterpene lactones, the same components present in chrysanthemum, daisies and other plants of the Compositae family.

• Digestive disorders: the plant can be irritating to the digestive mucous membranes and can cause heartburn, belly pain or diarrhea in high doses.
• Metrorrhagia: it is a strong emmenagogue and its essential oil can cause vaginal bleeding.
• Epileptic seizures: The essential oil is epilectigenic, capable of producing epileptic seizures when taken in large quantities. People with epilepsy should not take tansy preparations.

Pregnancy and lactation

The essential oil components of the plant have abortifacient properties and should not be taken by pregnant women. During breastfeeding, the components of the plant can reach the baby through breast milk.

*More information: Plants and pregnancy

More information on tansy

Written by Elisenda Carballido Dietitian nutritionist. Postgraduate in Phytotherapy and master in Nutrition and Metabolism.

21 July, 2024