Blue Tansy essential oil is a steam-distilled oil from the flowers of Tanacetum annuum, prized for its striking deep-blue colour and its sweet, fruity-herbaceous scent. People reach for it mainly for its calming aroma and skin-soothing feel, and it is always used diluted and only on the skin, never taken internally.
What is Blue Tansy essential oil?
The vivid blue colour comes from a compound called chamazulene that forms during distillation, which is why the finished oil looks so different from the yellow-flowered plant it starts as. Azlok's Blue Tansy is distilled from the flowers and stems and carries a soft, almost apple-like sweetness alongside its herbal edge. Its major constituents include sabinene, camphor and β-pinene.
A few quick technical points for makers and formulators: botanical name Tanacetum annuum, CAS No 8016-87-3, FEMA 2273, specific gravity roughly 0.925 to 0.935 at 15°C, and a shelf life of about two years when stored well. It is soluble in alcohols and fixed oils, and only slightly soluble in water.
Common uses
Blue Tansy is a versatile oil once it is properly diluted. Popular ways to use it include:
- Facial oil blends: a drop or two in a carrier oil for a soothing after-cleanse routine.
- Calming massage oils: combined with a fixed oil for a relaxing body blend.
- Aromatherapy: a few drops in a diffuser for its gentle, sweet aroma.
- Natural perfumery: as a top-to-middle note in roll-on blends.
- Bath and body products: in balms, creams and bath oils made at home.
Because the colour is so intense, remember that even a small amount can tint your creams and balms a pale blue-green.
How to use it safely
Blue Tansy is a concentrated oil, so a little goes a long way. Follow these basics:
- Always dilute. For skin, keep essential oils to a low percentage in a carrier such as jojoba, sweet almond or fractionated coconut oil.
- Patch test first. Apply a small diluted amount to your inner arm and wait 24 hours before wider use.
- Mind the sun. Avoid direct sunlight on freshly treated skin.
- Keep it external. This oil is meant only for external use — do not ingest it.
- Store safely. Keep it away from children and pets.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or managing a health condition, speak to a doctor before using Blue Tansy or any essential oil.
What Blue Tansy blends with
Its sweet herbal character pairs beautifully with several oils. Try combining it with:
- Geranium and Clary Sage for a floral-herbal roll-on
- Lavender for a calming bedtime diffuser blend
- Spearmint for a fresh, uplifting mix
- Ylang Ylang for a warm, rounded perfume base
It also works with all common carrier oils, which makes it easy to fold into your existing DIY recipes.
Buying and storage tips
Azlok offers Blue Tansy essential oil starting at ₹349, with sizes ranging from a 10 gm sample up to bulk 1 kg and 5 kg packs, so you can buy a small quantity to test before committing to larger volumes. When your bottle arrives:
- Store it in a cool, dark place away from heat and direct light.
- Keep the cap tightly closed to slow oxidation.
- Use it within its two-year shelf life for the best colour and aroma.
- Note the flash point is around 51.5°C, so keep it away from open flames.
Buying a sample size first is a sensible way to check the scent and colour suit your project before you scale up.
FAQ
Is Blue Tansy the same as blue chamomile?
No. They are different plants that both develop a blue colour from chamazulene during distillation. Blue Tansy is Tanacetum annuum, while blue chamomile is a separate species. Their aromas and chemistry differ.
Why is the oil blue?
The blue shade comes from chamazulene, a compound formed during steam distillation. The flowers themselves are yellow, so the colour appears only in the finished oil.
Can I apply Blue Tansy directly to my skin?
No. Always dilute it in a carrier oil before topical use and do a patch test first. It is for external use only.
How many drops should I use?
Keep essential oils to a low dilution in your carrier — a small percentage is enough. Start conservatively and adjust based on how your skin responds.
Does it fade skincare products a certain colour?
Yes, its strong blue pigment can tint creams, balms and oils a pale blue or green, which is completely normal.