Tanacetum cinerariifolium
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID643fc8d7d541d796715598 |
| Scientific name | Tanacetum cinerariifolium |
| Authority | Sch.Bip. |
| First published in | Tanaceteen : 58 (1844) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
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Important notice
- Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
- Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
- Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
- Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.
Tanacetum cinerariifolium has long been valued in the Caucasus and Anatolia for insecticidal and anti‑scabies preparations. In northeastern Georgia, Macedonia, and Albanian villages of the Korçë region, people sprinkle finely ground flowerheads into warm baths or apply them as a mild infusion for scabies and lice (with baths emphasized for the body and infusions for the hair), a practice recorded by Rozman and Murrell, 2019 and Balkan ethnobotanical surveys such as Hadjichambis et al., 2008. On the Adriatic coast, notamment among Fieri‑area Albanians, the same ground flowers are mixed with water to make a short wash or infusion used as a pediculicide, reported by Pieroni et al., 2005. Across Bulgaria’s Rhodopes and in central Anatolia (Kirsehir), women and herbalists also prepare short flowerhead infusions that are massaged into the scalp to control lice and reduce dandruff; these uses appear in standardized pharmacognosy compendia such as Zeybek and Şarıdağ (1988), and in regional ethnomedicine collections (Mikov and Peev, 2010). Across all these contexts the plant part is consistently the dried flowerheads, and the preparation is presented as a brief infusion, rinse, or wash.
A practical preparation that captures these approaches is a simple scalp rinse. Measure 1–2 teaspoons (roughly 2–3 g) of dried, finely ground flowerheads. Add 250 ml of hot (near‑boiling) water, stir, cover, and steep for 5–10 minutes. Strain through a fine cloth or coffee filter to remove particulate matter, let cool to comfortably warm, then pour over the hair and scalp. Gently massage for 1–2 minutes, leave on for 5–10 minutes, and rinse thoroughly. Use no more than once daily for 1–3 days for lice, or every other day for up to a week for occasional dandruff control. Do not exceed three daily applications in a week, avoid eye contact, and do not ingest; this preparation is not for internal use. Pregnant or nursing individuals, and children under 2, should avoid use.
Well‑established constituents of the flowers include pyrethrins (pyrethrins I and II and related esters), pyrethrins II, cinerins, and jasmolins, responsible for the species’ insecticidal action. The flowers also contain sesquiterpene lactones (including tanacetin), flavonoids, and phenolic acids such as chlorogenic and caffeic acids; these support traditional applications on the skin by providing antioxidant and anti‑inflammatory properties that align with scabies and lice‑related skin irritation.
Although pyrethrins are now widely used in commercial insecticidal formulations, interest in local head‑lice and scabies preparations using flowerhead infusions and washes persists in traditional communities and is reviewed in recent ethnomedicine syntheses (Hadžibegović et al., 2018).
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
The plant is cultivated primarily for its insecticidal pyrethrin compounds, which are extracted as pyrethrin concentrate from the dried flower heads. Commercial products include pyrethrin dusts and liquid concentrates used in agricultural pest management formulations.
Industrial and craft applications:
Pyrethrins serve as active ingredients in insecticide formulations for controlling flying and crawling insects in public health, veterinary, and agricultural contexts. The compounds are used in aerosol sprays, residual treatments, and livestock protection products. Pyrethrins function through neurotoxic action on insect sodium channels, providing rapid knockdown and kill effects against target pest species.
Scientific/model-organism use:
The plant serves as a natural source of pyrethrin compounds used in research on insecticidal mechanisms and resistance studies. It contributes to databases on natural product chemistry and agricultural genetics, supporting studies on pyrethrin biosynthesis pathways and plant breeding for enhanced pyrethrin content.
Colorants and tanning:
No documented uses for dyes or tannins are reported.
Wood and fiber:
No timber or fiber applications are documented.
Fragrance and cosmetics:
No fragrance or cosmetic uses are documented.
Properties relevant to use:
Pyrethrins are lipophilic ester compounds with contact and stomach poison activity against insects. The pyrethrin concentrate typically contains pyrethrin I and II components, with additional related ester compounds. Commercial formulations may include synergists like piperonyl butoxide to enhance insecticidal efficacy by inhibiting insect cytochrome P450 detoxification enzymes.
Standards and regulation:
Pyrethrins from Tanacetum cinerariifolium are regulated as insecticide active ingredients under national pesticide registration frameworks. Maximum residue limits are established for food crops treated with pyrethrin formulations. Pyrethrin concentrates must meet specifications for active ingredient content and purity.
Sustainability and sourcing:
Commercial pyrethrin production relies on cultivated plantings, primarily in regions suitable for flower head development and pyrethrin accumulation. Sustainable sourcing practices focus on maintaining consistent pyrethrin content through selection of high-yield cultivars and optimized harvesting techniques to preserve compound integrity in dried flower material.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Pyrethrum cinerarifolium | Trev. | Index Seminum (WROCL, Wratislaviensi) ii. (1820) 2; et in Nov. Act. |
| Chrysanthemum rigidum | Vis. | Del. Sern. Hort. Patav. -. 1825 |
| Chrysanthemum turreanum | Vis. | Stirp. Dalmat. Spec. : 19 (1826) |
| Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium | Vis. | Fl. Dalmat. ii. 88. t. 8. (1847) |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | pyrethrum |
| English | dalmatia pyrethrum |
| English | dalmatian insect-flower |
| English | dalmatian pyrethrum |
| Spanish | piretro |
| Spanish | pelitre de dalmacia |
| Spanish | chrysanthemum coccineum |
| Spanish | pyrethrum roseum |
| Spanish | pelitre |
| Arabic | أقحوان رمادي الورق |
| Catalan | piretre |
| Czech | kopretina starčkolistá |
| German | dalmatinische insektenblume |
| German | insektenpulverpflanze |
| German | insektenpulverkraut |
| German | aschblätterige wucherblume |
| Esperanto | dalmata insektofloro |
| Estonian | dalmaatsia neitsikummel |
| Basque | piretro |
| French | pyrèthre de dalmatie |
| French | pyrèthre |
| Irish | pioratram |
| Croatian | dalmatinski buhač |
| Indonesian | piretrum |
| Japanese | 除虫菊 |
| Japanese | シロバナムシヨケギク |
| Georgian | დალმაციური გვირილა |
| Korean | 제충국 |
| Macedonian | далматинска вратика |
| Dutch | dalmatinerkrage |
| Polish | złocień dalmatyński |
| Polish | maruna szarolistna |
| Kinyarwanda | ibireti |
| Serbian | Бухач |
| Swedish | dalmatinerkrage |
| Chinese | 除蟲菊 |
| Chinese | 白花除虫菊 |
| Chinese | 救军粮叶 |
| Chinese | 除虫菊 |
Germination/Propagation Top
Suggest a correction or add new data!| Sow seeds at 20°C, expecting germination within 3 months without further temperature treatment. |
| Requires Darkness: These seeds need to be covered with soil or otherwise kept in the dark to germinate properly. Light inhibits their germination process. |
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
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Africa click to expand
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Northeast Tropical Africa
- Ethiopia
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West-central Tropical Africa
- Rwanda
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Western Indian Ocean
- Mauritius
- Réunion
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Northeast Tropical Africa
-
Asia-temperate click to expand
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Caucasus
- Transcaucasus
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Eastern Asia
- Korea
-
Western Asia
- Cyprus
-
Caucasus
-
Asia-tropical click to expand
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Indian Subcontinent
- Nepal
- Pakistan
- Sri Lanka
- West Himalaya
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Indo-China
- Myanmar
- Vietnam
-
Malesia
- Jawa
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Indian Subcontinent
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Australasia click to expand
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Australia
- Tasmania
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Australia
-
Europe click to expand
-
Eastern Europe
- Krym
- South European Russia
- Ukraine
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Middle Europe
- Austria
- Germany
- Hungary
- Switzerland
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Southeastern Europe
- Albania
- Italy
- Yugoslavia
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Southwestern Europe
- France
- Spain
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Eastern Europe
-
Southern America click to expand
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Western South America
- Colombia
- Ecuador
- Peru
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Western South America
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000025699 |
| UNII | 84VXJ43EAI |
| Tropicos | 2716902 |
| INPN | 125459 |
| Flora of Italy | 5698 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:252275-1 |
| The Plant List | gcc-12483 |
| PFAF | Tanacetum cinerariifolium |
| Open Tree Of Life | 252960 |
| Observations.org | 122771 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 118510 |
| NBN Atlas | NHMSYS0000464150 |
| IUCN Red List | 202992 |
| IPNI | 252275-1 |
| iNaturalist | 444224 |
| GBIF | 3118284 |
| Freebase | /m/01nc_z |
| EPPO | CHYCI |
| EOL | 482123 |
| USDA GRIN | 104580 |
| Wikipedia | Tanacetum_cinerariifolium |
| CMAUP | NPO4617 |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
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If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
Phytochemical Profile Top
Add a new one!
Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
You can also contribute to this by clicking here.
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| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Alkaloids and derivatives / Amaryllidaceae alkaloids / Crinine- and Haemanthamine-type amaryllidaceae alkaloids | |||||
| (3alpha,11S)-1,2-Didehydro-3,7-dimethoxycrinan-11-ol | 25092366 | Click to see | 331.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Buphanidrine | 338023 | Click to see | 315.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Crinine | 398937 | Click to see | 271.31 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Undulatin | 3083985 | Click to see | 331.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Benzoic acid esters | |||||
| Dibutyl Phthalate | 3026 | Click to see | 278.34 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives / Gallic acid and derivatives | |||||
| Methyl Syringate | 70164 | Click to see | 212.20 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Benzenoids / Phenols / Methoxyphenols | |||||
| 5-(4-Hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)pentan-2-one | 91206832 | Click to see | 208.25 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Hydrocarbons / Saturated hydrocarbons | |||||
| CID 172416 | 172416 | Click to see CCCCCCCCCCCCCCC[CH2] | 225.43 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Derivatized Silica Gel | 172417 | Click to see | 253.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Hydrocarbons / Saturated hydrocarbons / Alkanes | |||||
| (111C)pentadecane | 450704 | Click to see | 211.42 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Decane | 15600 | Click to see | 142.28 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Heptadecane | 12398 | Click to see CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC | 240.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Nonadecane | 12401 | Click to see | 268.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Tetracosane-d50 | 27870 | Click to see | 389.00 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Tricosane | 12534 | Click to see CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC | 324.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lignans, neolignans and related compounds / Furanoid lignans | |||||
| 5-[(3S,6S)-3-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-1,3,3a,4,6,6a-hexahydrofuro[3,4-c]furan-6-yl]-1,3-benzodioxole | 25245913 | Click to see | 354.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acid esters / Pyrethroids | |||||
| [(1S)-2-methyl-4-oxo-3-[(1E,3E)-penta-1,3-dienyl]cyclopent-2-en-1-yl] (1R,3R)-3-[(E)-3-methoxy-2-methyl-3-oxoprop-1-enyl]-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane-1-carboxylate | 101037944 | Click to see CC=CC=CC1=C(C(CC1=O)OC(=O)C2C(C2(C)C)C=C(C)C(=O)OC)C | 372.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Allethrin | 11442 | Click to see CC1=C(C(=O)CC1OC(=O)C2C(C2(C)C)C=C(C)C)CC=C | 302.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acid esters / Pyrethroids / Pyrethrins | |||||
| [(1R)-2-methyl-4-oxo-3-[(2E)-penta-2,4-dienyl]cyclopent-2-en-1-yl] (1R,3R)-2,2-dimethyl-3-(2-methylprop-1-enyl)cyclopropane-1-carboxylate | 11056553 | Click to see CC1=C(C(=O)CC1OC(=O)C2C(C2(C)C)C=C(C)C)CC=CC=C | 328.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/HLCA.19240070125 |
| 2-Methyl-4-oxo-3-(2,4-pentadien-1-yl)-2-cyclopenten-1-yl 3-(3-methoxy-2-methyl-3-oxo-1-propen-1-yl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate | 583586 | Click to see | 372.50 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1002/HLCA.19240070125 https://doi.org/10.1021/JA01385A024 |
| cis-[(1S)-2-methyl-4-oxo-3-[(2E)-penta-2,4-dienyl]cyclopent-2-en-1-yl] (1R,3R)-3-[(Z)-3-methoxy-2-methyl-3-oxoprop-1-enyl]-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane-1-carboxylate | 6443099 | Click to see | 372.50 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1021/JA01385A024 https://doi.org/10.1002/HLCA.19240070125 |
| Pyrethrine 1 | 579153 | Click to see CC1=C(C(=O)CC1OC(=O)C2C(C2(C)C)C=C(C)C)CC=CC=C | 328.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/HLCA.19240070125 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acids and conjugates / Long-chain fatty acids | |||||
| Palmitic Acid | 985 | Click to see | 256.42 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty alcohol esters | |||||
| [(5E,7E,13E)-3-acetyloxypentadeca-5,7,13-trien-9,11-diynyl] acetate | 5315774 | Click to see CC=CC#CC#CC=CC=CCC(CCOC(=O)C)OC(=O)C | 314.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Monocyclic monoterpenoids | |||||
| Chrysanthemic Acid | 2743 | Click to see | 168.23 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00571294 |
| chrysanthemic acid d-trans-form | 16747 | Click to see | 168.23 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00571294 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids | |||||
| O10-Natafuranamine | 53316924 | Click to see CC(C1C(CC2(C1(CC=C3C2CC(C4C5(COC4(C3)C=CC5NC(=O)C6=CC=CC=C6)C)O)C)C)O)N(C)C | 534.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| O2-Natafuranamine | 53319040 | Click to see | 592.80 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids / Aromadendrane sesquiterpenoids / 5,10-cycloaromadendrane sesquiterpenoids | |||||
| (1aR,4aS,7S,7aR,7bR)-1,1,7-trimethyl-4-methylidene-1a,2,3,4a,5,6,7a,7b-octahydrocyclopropa[h]azulen-7-ol | 9794468 | Click to see CC1(C2C1C3C(CCC3(C)O)C(=C)CC2)C | 220.35 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene glycosides / Iridoid O-glycosides | |||||
| (1S,4aS,7aS)-7-(acetyloxymethyl)-1-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-1,4a,5,7a-tetrahydrocyclopenta[c]pyran-4-carboxylic acid | 101996850 | Click to see CC(=O)OCC1=CCC2C1C(OC=C2C(=O)O)OC3C(C(C(C(O3)CO)O)O)O | 416.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 10-Deoxygeniposidic acid | 443353 | Click to see | 358.34 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 8-Epideoxyloganic acid | 443332 | Click to see CC1CCC2C1C(OC=C2C(=O)O)OC3C(C(C(C(O3)CO)O)O)O | 360.36 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Geniposidic Acid | 443354 | Click to see C1C=C(C2C1C(=COC2OC3C(C(C(C(O3)CO)O)O)O)C(=O)O)CO | 374.34 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Mussaenoside | 182423 | Click to see | 390.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Shanzhiside methyl ester | 13892722 | Click to see CC1(CC(C2C1C(OC=C2C(=O)OC)OC3C(C(C(C(O3)CO)O)O)O)O)O | 406.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids | |||||
| (1R,3aR,5aR,5bR,7aR,9S,11aR,11bR,13bR)-3a,5a,5b,8,8,11a-hexamethyl-1-prop-1-en-2-yl-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,7a,9,10,11,11b,12,13,13a,13b-hexadecahydrocyclopenta[a]chrysen-9-ol | 44586882 | Click to see | 426.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (6Z,10E,14Z,18E)-2,6,10,15,19,23-hexamethyltetracosa-2,6,10,14,18,22-hexaene | 25244109 | Click to see CC(=CCCC(=CCCC(=CCCC=C(C)CCC=C(C)CCC=C(C)C)C)C)C | 410.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Cyclonataminol | 53316925 | Click to see CC(C1C(CC2(C1(CCC34C2C=CC5C3(C4)CC(C(C5(C)C)N(C)C)O)C)C)O)N(C)C | 444.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Oleanolic Acid | 10494 | Click to see | 456.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Steroidal alkaloids / Buxus alkaloids | |||||
| (+)-Buxaminol C | 10811757 | Click to see | 414.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 31-Demethylbuxaminol | 53320877 | Click to see | 414.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Buxamine A | 5468622 | Click to see CC(C1CCC2(C1(CC=C3C2CCC4C(=C3)CCC(C4(C)C)N(C)C)C)C)N(C)C | 412.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Buxaminol A | 53324855 | Click to see | 428.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives | |||||
| Stigmasterol Glucoside | 6602508 | Click to see | 574.80 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glycosyl compounds / O-glycosyl compounds | |||||
| (1S,4aS,7aS)-7-methylidene-1-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-4a,5,6,7a-tetrahydro-1H-cyclopenta[c]pyran-4-carboxylic acid | 102508537 | Click to see | 358.34 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbonyl compounds / Cyclic ketones / Cyclohexenones | |||||
| Guignardone A | 50905842 | Click to see | 290.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Guignardone B | 50905843 | Click to see CC12CCC(C1CC3=C(O2)C4CC(C3=O)(CO4)O)C(C)(C)O | 308.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Lactones / Gamma butyrolactones | |||||
| [(8E)-3,8-Dimethyl-12-methylidene-13-oxo-4,14-dioxatricyclo[9.3.0.03,5]tetradec-8-en-10-yl] acetate | 12314793 | Click to see | 306.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Quinolines and derivatives / Benzoquinolines / Phenanthridines and derivatives | |||||
| 7H-(1,3)Dioxolo(4,5-j)pyrrolo(3,2,1-de)phenanthridin-7-one | 100605 | Click to see | 263.25 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamaldehydes | |||||
| Cinnamaldehyde | 637511 | Click to see | 132.16 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives / Coumaric acids and derivatives | |||||
| N-(4-aminobutyl)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enamide | 133420 | Click to see | 234.29 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Anthocyanins / Anthocyanidin-3-O-glycosides | |||||
| Chrysanthemin | 44256715 | Click to see | 449.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 6-O-methylated flavonoids | |||||
| Bonanzin | 5379563 | Click to see | 374.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |