<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>In view of the importance in folk medicine of some species of <jats:italic>Tanacetum</jats:italic> L. (Compositae), e.g. <jats:italic>T. parthenium</jats:italic>, this paper reviews reports of the past two decades on their phytochemistry and pharmacological actions. The facets of phytochemical composition to be reviewed concern mainly the compounds with a chemosystematic interest in the tribe: terpenoids, especially sesquiterpenes and sesquiterpene lactones and flavonoids. The pharmacological activities which make it possible to corroborate their use as a herbal remedy have also been reviewed.