Tarragon

Related Terms

Acetylcoumarin, acetylenes, aglycone, alkamide, allo-ocimene, alpha-terpinolene, alpha-trans-ocimene, anethole, artemidin, artemidinol, artemidiol, Artemisia absinthium, Artemisia argvi, Artemisia biennis, Artemisia cana, Artemisia dracunculus, Artemisia frigida, Artemisia longifolia, Artemisia ludoviciana, Asteraceae (family), benzodiadepines, beta-ocimene, beta-pinene, bicyclogermacrene, bornyl acetate, butylisocoumarin, caffeoylquinic acid, capillarin, capillarin isovalerate, coumarins, davidigenin, demethoxycapillarisin, diacetoxycoumarin, dimethylcoumarin, dracumerin, dragon, dragon mugwort, dragoncillo (Spanish), dragon's-wort, (E)-beta-ocimene, epoxyartemidin, esdragon (French), estrag?o (Portuguese), estragole, estragon, flavanone, French tarragon, glycoside-7-rhamnonaringin, herbe au dragon (French), herniarine, hydroxyartemidin, hydroxycapillarin, hydroxycoumarin, limonene, methoxycoumarin, methoxydihydroartemidin, methoxydihydrochalcone, methoxypsoralen, methylchavicol, methylcoumarin, methyleugenol, monoterpenes, naringenin, neopellitorine, nepellitorine, octatriene, pellitorine, pentadiyne, phenols, pinene, piperitone, Russian tarragon, rutin, silky wormwood, tarrilin, trans-anethole, Turkish tarragon, vomifoliol A glucosides.
Note: This monograph does not cover Tagetes lucida Cav. (syn. T. florida Sweet, T. schiedeana Less.), which is also known as Mexican tarragon and Texas tarragon. Tagetes belongs to the same family as Artemisia but to a different botanical tribe.

Background

Tarragon is a perennial herb of the Asteraceae family and is related to wormwood. Tarragon is widely used to flavor food. The plant's fragrant leaves give foods an anise-like flavor.
Tarragon has a long tradition of use as a tea in the West and in Asia for treating upset stomach. It has been studied in combination with ginger and cardamom as a treatment for vomiting and nausea. Tarragon has also been studied as an herb to help manage blood sugar.
Tarragon contains estragole, a compound which may cause liver cancer. However, the amount of estragole from short-term use of herbs and supplements in adults at recommended doses does not seem to have a high cancer risk.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


Tarragon, in combination with ginger and cardamom, may reduce nausea and vomiting following surgery. The effects of tarragon alone cannot be determined from this study. Additional research is needed before conclusions can be drawn.

 C


Tarragon, in combination with ginger and cardamom, may reduce nausea and vomiting following surgery. The effects of tarragon alone cannot be determined from this study. Additional research is needed before conclusions can be drawn.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
Tarragon has been used as a tea, made from one teaspoon of powdered or dried tarragon boiled in a cup of water.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Tarragon may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin?) or heparin, antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix?), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin?, Advil?) or naproxen (Naprosyn?, Aleve?).
Tarragon may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. Patients taking insulin or drugs for diabetes by mouth should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.
Tarragon may increase the amount of drowsiness caused by some drugs. Examples include benzodiazepines such as lorazepam (Ativan?) or diazepam (Valium?), barbiturates such as phenobarbital, narcotics such as codeine, some antidepressants, and alcohol. Caution is advised while driving or operating machinery.
Tarragon may interfere with the way the body processes certain drugs using the liver's cytochrome P450 enzyme system. As a result, the levels of these drugs may change in the blood and may cause increased or decreased effects or potentially serious adverse reactions. Patients taking any medications should check the package insert and speak with a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist, about possible interactions.
Tarragon may also interact with antiallergy agents, antibiotics, anticancer agents, antifungal agents, anti-inflammatory agents, antiseizure agents, drugs that may affect the immune system, drugs that may affect the nervous system, drugs that may damage the liver, and drugs that prevent nausea and vomiting.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

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