You may know Blue Tansy for its hydrating and calming properties in skincare products; did you know that Blue Tansy has long been used in Chinese Medicine for balancing liver qi?
What is Blue Tansy?
Originally grown wild in the Mediterranean, this little yellow flower from the chamomile family is now harvested in Morocco. Tanacetum annuum has two prominent compounds, sabinene and camphor.
However, its famous blue colour comes from the steam distillation process. The aromatic compound chamazulene is formed when the sesquiterpene compound called matricin found in Blue Tansy is exposed to high temperatures and water. It is the natural inflammation-reducing agent chamazulene that gives Blue Tansy essential oil its distinctive hue. The blue varies depending May and November. In high concentrations, the colour can stain so take note.
Both of its primary compounds, sabinene and camphor, are effective at reducing inflammation. Camphor has powerful antioxidant properties and its actions include repairing skin damage from UV radiation and healing wounds.
For skincare, people also use Blue Tansy to calm acne, reduce heat and redness, and clear congested pores, For breakouts, you can apply a couple of drops of Blue Tansy essential oil to a carrier oil or cleanser before use. If you have acne-prone or sensitive skin, Blue Tansy may be the oil for you.
Aromatherapists and herbalists also like Blue Tansy since the camomile family are nervines. (I also use Lemon Balm for this.) Blue Tansy helps to de-stress the mind and body.
A nervine acts on the nervous and limbic systems to reduce overactive stress responses (such as fight or flight) and return the body to a resting, relaxing, digesting, sleeping phase. This means helping to switch the active state from the sympathetic nervous system to the parasympathetic nervous system. Nervines work gently to tonify the nervous system and re-establish normal nerve function and balance. Some may also lift the mood and ease anxiety, but they are not sedating.
The Herbal Academy
Blue Tansy for Liver Stagnation
In my research to understand Blue Tansy, I came across references to its use in Traditional Chinese Medicine. According to Healthline, it reduces nasal congestion and helps with histamine. Another use is to release liver stagnation.
The liver has over 500 functions, such as breaking down toxins, producing bile, and storing glucose, vitamins, copper, and fats. It is an important part of our detoxification and lymphatic system which is integral to our immunity.
In Chinese Medicine, the Liver ensures the smooth movement of qi. It also lubricates the body.
Liver qi stagnation can manifest as nausea, eye problem, PMS, rib pain, mood swings, and acid reflux. In Jin Shin Jyutsu we also see Liver imbalance as a dry cough, stiff neck, thyroid problems, chronic hip pain, inflexibility (of mind and body), and dry tough skin, especially in the hands and feet. The Liver Function Energy Adjustment Flow is recommended for all critical projects.
Ways to Balance Liver Energy
Jin Shin Jyutsu
The Self-Help for harmonizing Liver Function Energy:
- wrap your middle finger with the other hand and hold for 5-15 minutes (switch to hold the other side)
- place your left hand on the bottom of the left skull, on the occipital bone, and right hand under the right collar bone for 5 – 15 minutes. Switch sides.
- you can also harmonize the Heart Function Energy to support the Liver : drape your left hand over your left shoulder where it meets the neck and place your right hand on the left wrist, little finger side. You can use the right fingertips or cup the area with your palm. Stay for 5 – 15 minutes and switch sides.
(While the suggestion is 5 – 15 minutes, I invite you to sit with these holds for longer, to observe and witness how you feel, and for a deeper anchoring into and aligning with your body.)
Along with the Gall Bladder, Liver is Wood Element and Spring, which makes this season a great time to support both these organs and detox. The focus in Spring yields powerful results.
Heart and Liver Energy
Now that we are in the Summer, we can continue to experience Liver stagnation. An organ is most energized during two hours each day and during a season. For the Summer, it’s Heart and Small Intestine. They are most active from noon to 4 PM. However, an imbalance in these organ energies can actually be due to Liver and Gallbladder which are the “opposite” organs, being most active from midnight to 4 AM, according to the Jin Shin Jyutsu organ clock.
Each of the organs also corresponds with an emotion/attitude. For Liver it is anger. So you may feel frustrated and irritated when there is a blockage to your Liver energy. I would not be surprised by liver imbalance on the collective level at this time. Harmonizing anger and the Liver is not about suppressing how you feel or skating through it. In our awareness and connection to self, we move into an inner space. Our perspective widens.
Here are more resources for supporting the Liver energy.
Blue Tansy and Liver Qi
British Columbia based Dr Paula recommends using Blue Tansy on Liver 14. Other acupuncturists may choose other points. She likes this one for its relationship with the diaphragm and so vagus nerve. The last acupuncture point on the Liver meridian, Liver 14 is located in the sixth intercostal space beneath the nipple. She also suggests Liver 3 on top of the foot.
The Chinese name for this point is also quite poetic. Liver 14 is called 期門 “Qi Men” — 期 is the character for a “period of time” or “cycle,” and 門 is the character for “gate” or “door.” Together, it translates as Cycle Gate, which suggests how needling this point is like opening the door to the start of a new cycle or period of time.
Dr Rachele Lam, L.Ac, Fountyn Acupuncture
Gate of Hope is the last point on the Liver Meridian. If this gate is shut, you will be unable to lift your eyes towards the future with optimism. Resignation falls away when this gate is open! I use it for many reasons including, depression, distention and pain of the middle torso, hiccups, and reflux. But I most often use it on the level of spirit. When we are feeling utterly hopeless, frustrated or stuck in cynicism and negativity, we must open the Gate of Hope. It’s the antidote to “I give up…”. We can feel a powerful surge of hope with new perspective when we’re stuck in a narrow-minded outlook.
Village Wellness
If you are looking for reliable sources of Blue Tansy essential oil, check Living Libations and Earthley Wellness. On June 14 2022, Earthley is launching their Blue Tansy Summer Products. This includes the Blue Tansy Essential Oil Roller, the Blue Tansy Essential Oil Blend (also includes Lavender and Sandalwood), and three products with this essential oil – mineral deodorant, lip balm, and Good Night Lotion.
You may know Blue Tansy for its hydrating and calming properties in skincare products; did you know that Blue Tansy has long been used in Chinese Medicine for balancing liver qi?
What is Blue Tansy?
Originally grown wild in the Mediterranean, this little yellow flower from the chamomile family is now harvested in Morocco. Tanacetum annuum has two prominent compounds, sabinene and camphor.
However, its famous blue colour comes from the steam distillation process. The aromatic compound chamazulene is formed when the sesquiterpene compound called matricin found in Blue Tansy is exposed to high temperatures and water. It is the natural inflammation-reducing agent chamazulene that gives Blue Tansy essential oil its distinctive hue. The blue varies depending May and November. In high concentrations, the colour can stain so take note.
Both of its primary compounds, sabinene and camphor, are effective at reducing inflammation. Camphor has powerful antioxidant properties and its actions include repairing skin damage from UV radiation and healing wounds.
For skincare, people also use Blue Tansy to calm acne, reduce heat and redness, and clear congested pores, For breakouts, you can apply a couple of drops of Blue Tansy essential oil to a carrier oil or cleanser before use. If you have acne-prone or sensitive skin, Blue Tansy may be the oil for you.
Aromatherapists and herbalists also like Blue Tansy since the camomile family are nervines. (I also use Lemon Balm for this.) Blue Tansy helps to de-stress the mind and body.
A nervine acts on the nervous and limbic systems to reduce overactive stress responses (such as fight or flight) and return the body to a resting, relaxing, digesting, sleeping phase. This means helping to switch the active state from the sympathetic nervous system to the parasympathetic nervous system. Nervines work gently to tonify the nervous system and re-establish normal nerve function and balance. Some may also lift the mood and ease anxiety, but they are not sedating.
The Herbal Academy
Blue Tansy for Liver Stagnation
In my research to understand Blue Tansy, I came across references to its use in Traditional Chinese Medicine. According to Healthline, it reduces nasal congestion and helps with histamine. Another use is to release liver stagnation.
The liver has over 500 functions, such as breaking down toxins, producing bile, and storing glucose, vitamins, copper, and fats. It is an important part of our detoxification and lymphatic system which is integral to our immunity.
In Chinese Medicine, the Liver ensures the smooth movement of qi. It also lubricates the body.
Liver qi stagnation can manifest as nausea, eye problem, PMS, rib pain, mood swings, and acid reflux. In Jin Shin Jyutsu we also see Liver imbalance as a dry cough, stiff neck, thyroid problems, chronic hip pain, inflexibility (of mind and body), and dry tough skin, especially in the hands and feet. The Liver Function Energy Adjustment Flow is recommended for all critical projects.
Ways to Balance Liver Energy
Jin Shin Jyutsu
The Self-Help for harmonizing Liver Function Energy:
- wrap your middle finger with the other hand and hold for 5-15 minutes (switch to hold the other side)
- place your left hand on the bottom of the left skull, on the occipital bone, and right hand under the right collar bone for 5 – 15 minutes. Switch sides.
- you can also harmonize the Heart Function Energy to support the Liver : drape your left hand over your left shoulder where it meets the neck and place your right hand on the left wrist, little finger side. You can use the right fingertips or cup the area with your palm. Stay for 5 – 15 minutes and switch sides.
(While the suggestion is 5 – 15 minutes, I invite you to sit with these holds for longer, to observe and witness how you feel, and for a deeper anchoring into and aligning with your body.)
Along with the Gall Bladder, Liver is Wood Element and Spring, which makes this season a great time to support both these organs and detox. The focus in Spring yields powerful results.
Heart and Liver Energy
Now that we are in the Summer, we can continue to experience Liver stagnation. An organ is most energized during two hours each day and during a season. For the Summer, it’s Heart and Small Intestine. They are most active from noon to 4 PM. However, an imbalance in these organ energies can actually be due to Liver and Gallbladder which are the “opposite” organs, being most active from midnight to 4 AM, according to the Jin Shin Jyutsu organ clock.
Each of the organs also corresponds with an emotion/attitude. For Liver it is anger. So you may feel frustrated and irritated when there is a blockage to your Liver energy. I would not be surprised by liver imbalance on the collective level at this time. Harmonizing anger and the Liver is not about suppressing how you feel or skating through it. In our awareness and connection to self, we move into an inner space. Our perspective widens.
Here are more resources for supporting the Liver energy.
Blue Tansy and Liver Qi
British Columbia based Dr Paula recommends using Blue Tansy on Liver 14. Other acupuncturists may choose other points. She likes this one for its relationship with the diaphragm and so vagus nerve. The last acupuncture point on the Liver meridian, Liver 14 is located in the sixth intercostal space beneath the nipple. She also suggests Liver 3 on top of the foot.
The Chinese name for this point is also quite poetic. Liver 14 is called 期門 “Qi Men” — 期 is the character for a “period of time” or “cycle,” and 門 is the character for “gate” or “door.” Together, it translates as Cycle Gate, which suggests how needling this point is like opening the door to the start of a new cycle or period of time.
Dr Rachele Lam, L.Ac, Fountyn Acupuncture
Gate of Hope is the last point on the Liver Meridian. If this gate is shut, you will be unable to lift your eyes towards the future with optimism. Resignation falls away when this gate is open! I use it for many reasons including, depression, distention and pain of the middle torso, hiccups, and reflux. But I most often use it on the level of spirit. When we are feeling utterly hopeless, frustrated or stuck in cynicism and negativity, we must open the Gate of Hope. It’s the antidote to “I give up…”. We can feel a powerful surge of hope with new perspective when we’re stuck in a narrow-minded outlook.
Village Wellness
If you are looking for reliable sources of Blue Tansy essential oil, check Living Libations and Earthley Wellness. On June 14 2022, Earthley is launching their Blue Tansy Summer Products. This includes the Blue Tansy Essential Oil Roller, the Blue Tansy Essential Oil Blend (also includes Lavender and Sandalwood), and three products with this essential oil – mineral deodorant, lip balm, and Good Night Lotion.
