Synonyms/Common Names/Related Substances:

• (-)-(R)-2'-methoxydihydroartemidin, (+)-(R)-(E)-3'-hydroxyartemidin, (+)-(S,R)-epoxyartemidin, 1-methoxy-4-(2-Propenyl)-benzene, 1R-alpha-pinene, 1S-alpha-pinene, 2',4'-dihydroxy-4-methoxydihydrochalcone, 3,7-dimethyl-1,3,7-octatriene, 3-butylisocoumarins, 4,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 4-hydroxy-6,7-dimethylcoumarin, 4-hydroxycoumarin, 5,7-dihydroxy-4-methylcoumarin, 5-phenyl-1,3-pentadiyne, 6,7-diacetoxycoumarin, 6,7-dimethoxy-4-methylcoumarin, 6-acetoxy-7-methoxycoumarin, 6-demethoxycapillarisin, 6-methoxy-7-acetylcoumarin, 7-methoxycoumarin, 8-acetyl-7-hydroxycoumarin, 8-hydroxyartemidin, 8-hydroxycapillarin dracumerin, 8-methoxypsoralen, acetylenes, aglycone, alkamide, allo-ocimene, alpha-terpinolene, alpha-trans-ocimene, artemidinol, artemidiol, Artemisia absinthium L., Artemisia argvi Levl. et Vant (AALEV), Artemisia biennis Willd., Artemisia cana Pursh, Artemisia dracunculus L., Artemisia dracunculus L. var. dracunculus, Artemisia frigida Willd., Artemisia longifolia Nutt., Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt., Asteraceae (family), benzodiadepines, beta-pinene, bicyclogermacrene, bornyl acetate, capillarin, capillarin isovalerate, cooking tarragon, coumarins, davidigenin, dragon, dragon mugwort, dragoncillo (Spanish), dragon's-wort, (E)-beta-ocimene, esdragon (French), estragão (Portuguese), estragole, estragon, (E/Z)-artemidin, flavanone, French tarragon, glycoside-7-rhamnonaringin, herbe au dragon (French), herniarine, hex-3 Z-en-1-ol, limonene, methylchavicol, methyleugenol, monoterpenes, naringenin, neopellitorine A, neopellitorine B, nepellitorine, pellitorine, phenols, piperitone, PMI-5011, Russian tarragon, rutin, silky wormwood, tarrilin, trans-anethole, Turkish tarragon, vomifoliol A glucosides, (Z)-anethole, (Z)-beta-ocimene.
• 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.

Clinical Bottom Line/Effectiveness

Brief Background:

• Tarragon is a perennial herb in the Asteraceae family. It is genetically related to wormwood, and its aromatic leaves give an anise-like flavor to foods. Some sources indicate that French tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) and Russian tarragon (Artemisiadracunculoides) are separate species, while others indicate they are the same species.
• Tarragon contains 172-7000ppm of estragole, which is an anethole, and a potential hepatocarcinogen. Estragole composes 60-75% of the essential oil of tarragon. The high level of estragole led the German Institute for Consumer Health Protection and Veterinary Medicine to warn consumers about potential dangers of tarragon on May 11, 2001, but studies since then led the European Union (EU) to rescind that warning (1;​2;​3;​4;​5). In November 2005, the Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC) of the European Medicines Agency issued a public statement on the use of herbal medicinal products containing estragole, concluding that exposure to estragole from short-term consumption of herbal medicinal products in adults at recommended doses does not pose a significant cancer risk (6). According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), tarragon is listed as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS).
• Tarragon has a long tradition in the West and in Asia for successfully treating dyspepsia. Tarragon has been studied in combination with ginger and cardamom as a treatment for postoperative vomiting and nausea (7). The effects of tarragon on glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity has been examined in humans (8;​9;​10).
• Except for the studies concerned with estragole, at this time there is a lack of high-quality human trials supporting the use of tarragon for any indication. Better-designed clinical trials are needed before recommendations can be made regarding taking this product for any health condition.

Dosing/Toxicology

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Precautions/Contraindications

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Interactions

Most herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly tested for interactions with other herbs, supplements, drugs, or foods. The interactions listed below are based on reports in scientific publications, laboratory experiments, or traditional use. 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.

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Mechanism of Action

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History

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Evidence Table

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Evidence Discussion

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Products Studied

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Author Information

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References

Natural Standard developed the above evidence-based information based on a thorough systematic review of the available scientific articles. For comprehensive information about alternative and complementary therapies on the professional level, go to www.naturalstandard.com. Selected references are listed below.

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