Blue Tansy (Tanacetum Annuum) is a yellow-flowered Mediterranean plant found in central and northern Morocco. It is an annual plant that grows to 40 centimetres in height, with yellow heads that bloom from August (sometimes earlier) to October. It is not to be confused with the perennial common tansy (Tanacetum Vulgare), known as being highly toxic, but having numerous applications in agriculture. Other names used to describe Blue Tansy are Moroccan Tansy or Blue Chamomile.

The essential oil is steam distilled from the tops of the plant. It has a characteristic indigo colour due to one of its chemical components -chamazulene- which is formed during steam distillation. This explains why the oil is blue although the plant it comes from is not. Chamazulene, a sesquiterpene with a deep blue hue and soothing properties, is the reaction product of matricin, a sesquiterpene compound found in chamomile plants, in the presence of water vapor at high temperatures.

Because it’s an annual plant, and depending on demand for the oil, production fluctuates, as a result of farmers changing crops frequently. This explains the abrupt changes in prices.

Blue Tansy oil is frequently adulterated, which is why it’s very important to ensure that it comes from a reputable source. At Atlassence, and because we source organic Blue Tansy (USDA and EU), we audit our suppliers and partners to make sure that the oil is specifically distilled from Tanacetum Annuum and not Tanacetum Vulgare, as the two oils are very different oils.