Rainbow fern

Tanacetum vulgare, also known as wormleaf, is a plant of the composite family native to Central Europe, growing up to 1 m high.

Commission E Monograph: Negative monograph

ESCOP: not processed

HMPC: not processed

Folk medicine: Anthelmintic, used for migraine, neuralgia, rheumatism, meteorism, lack of appetite. Obsolete today , see also Notes and Undesirable effects.

Phytomedicine: Used in folk medicine as worming remedy, abortive, remedy for toothache and neuralgia, migraine, gastrointestinal problems, bladder problems and dysmenorrhea.

Cosmetics: Tanacetum vulgare extract is used in cosmetic formulations. It acts as a skin care product.

• Tansy contains sesquiterpene lactones: Besides parthenolide also crispolide, tanacetin and others as well as the monoterpene beta thujone.
• Sensitizing potency: Medium. Frequency of sensitization: Rare. In patients with proven composite allergy, tansy is involved in over 60% of positive test reactions. Cross-reactivity exists especially to chrysanthemums, feverfew and chamomile, cup primrose
• The occurrence of aerogenic contact dermatitis on the face, décolleté, back of the hand or neck is possible.

Cave: poisoning: vomiting, abdominal pain, gastroenteritis, severe reddening of the face, unconsciousness, strong clonic-tonic convulsions, strong acceleration of breathing, irregular heart activity, mydriasis and pupillary rigidity, uterine bleeding, possibly abortion, kidney damage, liver damage. Lethal dose of the essential oil in humans is 15-30 g.

Cave! The essential oil contains about 60% of the nerve toxin beta-thuyone. Deaths after the use of rain fern as a worming agent and abortivum have been described.

1. Goadsby PJ (2003) Herbal medicine. N Engl J Med 348: 1498-1501
2. Hausen BM, Vieluf K (1997) Allergy plants, plant allergens. Ecomed Verlag Landsberg/Munich, pp. 235-237
3. https://www.awl.ch/heilpflanzen/tanacetum_vulgare/rainfarn.htm