Tarragon
Botanical Description & Habitat
Artemesia dracunculus
Family
Compositae
Common Names
estragon
Habitat
Found in sunny, dry areas of the western United States, southern and western Asia, Russia and Siberia; cultivated in Europe and elsewhere.
Medicinal Parts
The flowering plant
Historical Properties & Uses
Though known mainly as a condiment, especially in France, tarragon has a rich history of medicinal use, as a diuretic, emmenagogue, hypnotic, and stomachic.
Most commonly, tarragon is used to cure digestive ailments and alleviate catarrh. In routine cleanses, people use it to stimulate the kidneys. As an emmenagogue it is used to stimulate menstruation.
Most of these applications are now archaic. Tarragon is currently used mainly to stimulate the appetite and promote digestion.
Method of Action
The Pharmacology of Tarragon
Tarragon contains essential oils similar to wormwood, and this explains its affects on digestion and digestive problems. The emmenagogue action has not been substantiated by research.
The primary constituent of the oil is methyl chavicol. Tarragon also contains substantial amounts of the flavonoid rutin, which is said to be cancer-preventive, but has been definitely shown to decrease capillary fragility and hyperpermeability. Thus, tarragon contributes to a healthy cardiovascular system, as well as to the health of all tissues depending upon the consistent and reliable flow of blood.
Tarragon has demonstrated some antibacterial and anti-inflammatory action.
Drug Interactions & Precautions
Known Interactions
Tarragon, insofar as its diuretic action increases the renal excretion of sodium and chloride, may potentiate the hyperglycemic and hyperuremic effects of glucose elevating agents.
Possible Interactions
The use of diuretics may require dosage adjustments of antidiabetic drugs.
Safety Factors & Toxicity
Tarragon essential oil contains estragole which possesses some toxicity, but very mild, and not a risk factor in therapeutic dosage levels. Approved for food use by the FDA.
Preparation & Administration
Use 1/2 to 1 cup daily, unsweetened
Infusion
1/2 tsp of dried plant steeped in 1/2 cup water
Note: This Herbal Preparation information is a summary of data from books and articles by various authors. It is not intended to replace the advice or attention of health care professionals.
References
Duke, J. CRC Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, CRC Press, Inc., Florida, 1985.
Ieven, M., D. Vanden Berghe, F. Mertens, A. Viletinck & E. Lammens. Screening of higher plants for biological activities. I. Antimicrobial activity. Plant Media, 36, 311-321, 1979.
Leung, A.Y. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics. John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1980.
Lewis, D.A. Anti-inflammatory Drugs for Plant and Marine Sources, Birkhouse Verlag, Berlin, 1989.
Maruzzella, J. & M. Lichtenstein. The in vitro antibacterial activity of oils. J of the Am Pharm Assoc, 45, 378-381, 1956.
Maruzella, J.C. & A. Sicurella. Antibacterial activity of essential oils. J of the Am Pharm Assoc, 49(11), 692-694, 1960.
Mascolo, N., G. Autore, F. Capasso, A. Menghini & M. Fasulo. Biological screening of italian medicinal plants for anti-inflammatory activity. Phytotherapy Research, 1(1), 28-31, 1987.
Mowrey, Daniel B., Ph.D. Exper. Psych., Brigham Young University. Director of Nebo Institute of Herbal Sciences. Director of Behavior Change Agent Training Institute. Director of Research, Nova Corp.
Multimedia
Artemesia dracunculus
© Southwest School of Botanical Medicine
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