An Essential Guide To The Aromatherapy Oils Of Morocco- Blue Tansy
Morocco is the leading commerical producer of Blue Tansy Essential Oil, some is still wild-harvested but over-harvesting has led to more agricultural production to protect wild supplies. What makes Blue Tansy essential oil so magical is that despite appearing a stunning cobalt-blue colour, the plant itself does not contain any blue pigment at all. During the distillation process a truly alchemical transformation occurs to create this distinctive blue essential oil.
Read on to learn more about this intriguing plant and its unique powers, there are many reasons beyond the beautiful blue hue that will make you want to add Blue Tansy-containing products to your skincare routine.
What Is Blue Tansy?
Blue Tansy (Tanacetum annum) is a yellow-flowered Mediterranean annual belonging to the Daisy (Asteraceae) family. The flowers are a distinctive yellow, appearing like a cluster of buttons above fern-like foliage. The flowers and foliage are aromatic, releasing a sweet, herbaceous and camphorous fragrance.
It grows in the north of Morocco along the coast and in rural, mountainous regions of the Atlas and Rif ranges, preferring cooler conditions. It is also cultivated on farms due to the strain on wild plants, overharvesting has caused Blue Tansy to become scarce in the wild and pushed the price up considerably.
Chamomile Confusion??
During the course of my research on Blue Tansy, and before that, on Moroccan Chamomile, I have uncovered a degree of confusion as both plants are often referred to as Moroccan Chamomile. They both are members of the Daisy family Asteraceae along with Roman and German Chamomile, but are not 'true' chamomiles. Moroccan Chamomile (Ormenis spp) is a chamomile relative but despite some similar properties to 'true' chamomiles, should not be treated the same as it is not safe to use internally.
Blue Tansy is a member of the same family and also shares the same blue phytochemical as German Chamomile chamazulene which is why it is often called 'Moroccan Chamomile'. It should not be used interchangeably as it is considered less safe in that it is more likely to cause skin irritation if use exceeds the recommended dermal limits. Also, like Moroccan Chamomile (Ormensis spp) it should not be taken internally.
How Is Blue Tansy Essential Oil Extracted?
Blue Tansy essential oil is extracted by steam-distillation and it is an incredible, transformative process as the flowers enter the copper still bright yellow and the oil produced is a bright, indigo blue. The colour is due to the sesquiterpine matricin which is present in the flowers, the effect the heat has on this phytochemical is transformational resulting in the production of the striking blue compound chamazulene. Chamazulene not only contributes stunning colour, but brings with it some incredible skin benefits.
What Is Blue Tansy Used For?
Often Blue Tansy is added to skincare for its wonderful colour content, chamazulene is a highly antioxidant pigment and using Blue Tansy in formulations can produce some lovely coloured products.
The scent of Blue Tansy is sweet and herbaceous with camphorous tones, this is due to a blend of aromatic compounds including chamazulene, sabinene, camphor and myrcene. Blue Tansy can add fragrance to formulations and is used in perfumery as a middle/heart note.
Blue Tansy has an anti-histamine effect and many skin benefits as it is highly antioxidant and soothing and protective to skin. It can help release heat from the skin, reducing redness and irritation.
Blue Tansy Actions -
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-histamine
Analgesic
Antispasmodic
Antioxidant
What Is Blue Tansy Oil Good For?
Cooling and soothing for conditions like eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, irritated skin
Antioxidant to prevent premature ageing and improve cell regeneration to treat scars, fine lines and wrinkles.
Cosmetic Formulation With Blue Tansy Essential Oil
Creative Cosmetic Colouring With Blue Tansy
Use Blue Tansy essential oil to add colour to formulations, it is used in commerical skincare formulations as a colourant like Butterfly Pea for producing mellow, blue tones associated with cooling and calming the skin.
If you like to play around with colour in your cosmetic formulations then try using Blue Tansy essential oil with amber/yellow coloured essential oils and plant oils such as Saffron, Turmeric and Marigold- you can produce interesting shades of green/emerald and turquoise with some experimenting.
Red essential oils and Blue Tansy may be able to create purplish colours, I added a couple of drops of Blue Tansy to my Plantil Rose Oil and turned it violet/mauve! Rose absolute is red-coloured and with research you should be able to find others.
Blue Tansy combines well with lightweight carrier oils and calming botanical extracts to create skincare for hot, red irritated skin..
Use Blue Tansy Essential oil in formulations to prevent premature ageing and regenerate cells to improve scars, fine lines and wrinkles.
Dermal Limits- 0.5%- 1% of leave on formulations (3-6 drops of essential oil per 30 ml carrier oil)
1%- 2 % for rinse off products
Blue Tansy once distilled is heat sensitive.
Blue Tansy Cautions
As mentioned earlier, Blue Tansy should not be treated in the same way as Roman and German chamomiles and should never be taken internally.
As a volatile oil, Blue Tansy can cause reactions in those with sensitive skin, try a patch test of any product first.
The Blue Tansy plant looks very much like its relative Common Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) which displays very similar foliage and yellow button flowers. Common Tansy contains the toxic phytochemical thujone and should never be used in pregancy and can cause contact dermatitis when handled. It has a strong, pungent odour.
As with all essential oils, caution in pregnancy is advised, always dilute and never apply undiluted to the skin. Check dermal limits to ensure correct ratios.
As Blue Tansy essential oil is scarce and expensive, double check the quality and purity of the essential oil you are buying.
Skincare Products With Blue Tansy Oil
I only select products that contain pure oils and botanic extracts from brands I know and trust using my extensive experience as a herbalist and formulator. One of my passions is to research botanical ingredients including herbal extracts, herbal oils, glycerites, essential oils and other natural active ingredients. My recommendations only include products I would be happy to use myself as I am very fussy about natural ingredients and fragrances.
I am in the process of developing a new site dedicated to my interest in herbal cosmetics as I approach the end of my cosmetic formulation diploma next spring. Herbal cosmetics is a very important topic for me me as it marks the beginning of my journey into herbal medicine back in my late teens, read my story here- cosmeticherbalist.com.
This new site will feature plant-based cosmetic ingredient profiles, recipes, foraged ingredients, global trends and product reviews.
Buy Blue Tansy Essential Oil
Recommended Skincare Products Containing Blue Tansy
Experience Moroccan Herbalism For Yourself..
An Immersive Herbal Tour Of Morocco - A Nomadic Herbalist & TimelessFez Collaboration
Next spring, Nomadic Herbalist in conjunction with Timeless Fez will be hosting a unique Herbal Immersion aimed at those seeking slow, meaningful travel experiences that take them far beyond the usual tourist routes to get a rare glimpse into Morocco's thriving herbal heritage.
'Root & Remedies' is a four- day guided exploration to discover the medicinal plants of the Middle Atlas Mountains. This is a rare insight into foraging practices which are seldom seen and an opportunity to learn about Morocco's native herbs. The tour traces this ancient process from root to remedies, from the collection of raw plant material through to the finished products sold in the souks such as medicines in Souk Attarine and cosmetics in the Henna Souk.
Take part in the transformative processes of distillation and soap-making during hands-on workshops and begin with a guided, meditative sensory introduction to some key herbs.
Herbal tourism is a growing niche in sustainable, nature-based transformative travel which keeps traditions alive, preserving herbal heritage and supporting rural economies to continue foraging herbs.
It is important to give value to the wild landscapes of Morocco and preserve what grows there, alongisde this it is equally important to preserve the knowledge and wisdom of the foragers and those who transform raw herbal material into useful products. These are the people who speak to the plants and translate to the people, the alchemists and weavers of magic.
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