Tarragon
OTHER NAME(S): Armoise Âcre, Dragonne, French Tarragon, Herbe Dragon, Herbe au Dragon, Little Dragon, Mugwort, Petit Dragon, Artemisia dracunculus, Artemisia glauca, Estragon, Tarrogon, Taragon, Estragón, Estragon
Overview
Tarragon is an herb. The parts of the tarragon plant that grow above the ground are used to make medicine. Some people call tarragon "mugwort". Be careful not to confuse tarragon with another plant called mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris).
Tarragon is used for indigestion (dyspepsia), poor appetite, nausea and vomiting after surgery, toothache, sleep problems, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Tarragon is a good source of potassium. It also contains ingredients that seem to be able to fight certain bacteria.
In foods and beverages, tarragon is used as a culinary herb.
In manufacturing, tarragon is used as a fragrance in soaps and cosmetics.
Tarragon is a good source of potassium. It also contains ingredients that seem to be able to fight certain bacteria.
Uses
Insufficient Evidence for
- Nausea and vomiting after surgery.
- Digestion problems.
- Menstrual problems.
- Toothaches.
- Water retention.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of tarragon for these uses.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Tarragon is LIKELY SAFE when taken in food amounts. There isn't enough reliable information to know if tarragon is safe to use as a medicine or what the side effects might be.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if tarragon is safe to use or what the side effects might be.
When inhaled as aromatherapy: There isn't enough reliable information to know if tarragon is safe to use or what the side effects might be.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Tarragon is LIKELY SAFE when taken in food amounts. There isn't enough reliable information to know if tarragon is safe to use as a medicine or what the side effects might be.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if tarragon is safe to use or what the side effects might be.
When inhaled as aromatherapy: There isn't enough reliable information to know if tarragon is safe to use or what the side effects might be.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if tarragon is safe to use as a medicine when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Bleeding disorder: Tarragon might slow blood clotting. There is concern that tarragon might increase the risk of bleeding when taken as a medicine.
Allergy to ragweed and related plants: Tarragon may cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to the Asteraceae/Compositae family. Members of this family include ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, and many others. If you have allergies, be sure to check with your healthcare provider before taking tarragon.
Surgery: Tarragon might slow blood clotting. There is concern that tarragon might prolong bleeding during and after surgery. Stop taking tarragon at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
- Sedative medications (CNS depressants) interacts with TarragonTarragon essential oil might cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Medications that cause sleepiness are called sedatives. Using tarragon essential oil along with sedative medications might cause too much sleepiness. Taking tarragon essential oil along with sedative medications used in surgery might cause prolonged sedation. Some sedative medications include pentobarbital (Nembutal), phenobarbital (Luminal), secobarbital (Seconal), thiopental (Pentothal), fentanyl (Duragesic, Sublimaze), morphine, propofol (Diprivan), and others.
- Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with TarragonTarragon extract might slow blood clotting. Taking tarragon extract along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding. Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.
- Medications for depression (MAOIs) interacts with TarragonTarragon extract might have the same activity as certain medications used for depression, called MAOIs. Using tarragon extract along with these medications might increase the effects and side effects of the medications. Some common MAOIs include phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate).
Dosing
The appropriate dose of tarragon depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for tarragon. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
References
- Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
- McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
- Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182
- Iten, F. and Saller, R. [Fennel tea: risk assessment of the phytogenic monosubstance estragole in comparison to the natural multicomponent mixture]. Forsch.Komplementarmed.Klass.Naturheilkd. 2004;11(2):104-108.
- Tsai, P. J., Tsai, T. H., Yu, C. H., and Ho, S. C. Evaluation of NO-suppressing activity of several Mediterranean culinary spices. Food Chem.Toxicol. 2007;45(3):440-447.
- O'Mahony, R., Al Khtheeri, H., Weerasekera, D., Fernando, N., Vaira, D., Holton, J., and Basset, C. Bactericidal and anti-adhesive properties of culinary and medicinal plants against Helicobacter pylori. World J Gastroenterol. 12-21-2005;11(47):7499-7507.
- Mohsenzadeh, M. Evaluation of antibacterial activity of selected Iranian essential oils against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli in nutrient broth medium. Pak.J Biol.Sci. 10-15-2007;10(20):3693-3697.
- De Vincenzi, M., Silano, M., Maialetti, F., and Scazzocchio, B. Constituents of aromatic plants: II. Estragole. Fitoterapia 2000;71(6):725-729.
- Haze, S., Sakai, K., and Gozu, Y. Effects of fragrance inhalation on sympathetic activity in normal adults. Jpn.J Pharmacol. 2002;90(3):247-253.
- Tognolini, M., Barocelli, E., Ballabeni, V., Bruni, R., Bianchi, A., Chiavarini, M., and Impicciatore, M. Comparative screening of plant essential oils: phenylpropanoid moiety as basic core for antiplatelet activity. Life Sci. 2-23-2006;78(13):1419-1432.
- Ward, N. I. and Savage, J. M. Metal dispersion and transportational activities using food crops as biomonitors. Sci Total Environ. 5-23-1994;146-147:309-319.
- Swanston-Flatt, S. K., Day, C., Bailey, C. J., and Flatt, P. R. Evaluation of traditional plant treatments for diabetes: studies in streptozotocin diabetic mice. Acta Diabetol.Lat. 1989;26(1):51-55.
- Yazdanparast, R. and Shahriyary, L. Comparative effects of Artemisia dracunculus, Satureja hortensis and Origanum majorana on inhibition of blood platelet adhesion, aggregation and secretion. Vascul.Pharmacol 2008;48(1):32-37.
- Kavvadias, D., Abou-Mandour, A. A., Czygan, F. C., Beckmann, H., Sand, P., Riederer, P., and Schreier, P. Identification of benzodiazepines in Artemisia dracunculus and Solanum tuberosum rationalizing their endogenous formation in plant tissue. Biochem.Biophys.Res Commun. 3-5-2000;269(1):290-295.
- Saadali, B., Boriky, D., Blaghen, M., Vanhaelen, M., and Talbi, M. Alkamides from Artemisia dracunculus. Phytochemistry 2001;58(7):1083-1086.
- Smith, R. L., Adams, T. B., Doull, J., Feron, V. J., Goodman, J. I., Marnett, L. J., Portoghese, P. S., Waddell, W. J., Wagner, B. M., Rogers, A. E., Caldwell, J., and Sipes, I. G. Safety assessment of allylalkoxybenzene derivatives used as flavouring substances - methyl eugenol and estragole. Food Chem.Toxicol 2002;40(7):851-870.
- Meepagala, K. M., Sturtz, G., and Wedge, D. E. Antifungal constituents of the essential oil fraction of Artemisia dracunculus L. Var. dracunculus. J Agric.Food Chem. 11-20-2002;50(24):6989-6992.
- Engelmeier, D., Hadacek, F., Hofer, O., Lutz-Kutschera, G., Nagl, M., Wurz, G., and Greger, H. Antifungal 3-butylisocoumarins from Asteraceae-Anthemideae. J Nat.Prod. 2004;67(1):19-25.
- Ribnicky, D. M., Poulev, A., O'Neal, J., Wnorowski, G., Malek, D. E., Jager, R., and Raskin, I. Toxicological evaluation of the ethanolic extract of Artemisia dracunculus L. for use as a dietary supplement and in functional foods. Food Chem.Toxicol 2004;42(4):585-598.
- Sayyah, M., Nadjafnia, L., and Kamalinejad, M. Anticonvulsant activity and chemical composition of Artemisia dracunculus L. essential oil. J Ethnopharmacol. 2004;94(2-3):283-287.
- Watanabe, J., Shinmoto, H., and Tsushida, T. Coumarin and flavone derivatives from estragon and thyme as inhibitors of chemical mediator release from RBL-2H3 Cells. Biosci.Biotechnol.Biochem. 2005;69(1):1-6.
- Zhang, Y., Zhang, J., Yao, J., Yang, Y. L., Wang, L., and Dong, L. N. [Studies on the chemical constituents of the essential oil of Artemisia dracunculus]. Zhongguo Zhong.Yao Za Zhi. 2005;30(8):594-596.
- Kordali, S., Kotan, R., Mavi, A., Cakir, A., Ala, A., and Yildirim, A. Determination of the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of the essential oil of Artemisia dracunculus and of the antifungal and antibacterial activities of Turkish Artemisia absinthium, A. dracunculus, Artemisia santonicum, and Artemisia spicigera essential oils. J Agric.Food Chem. 11-30-2005;53(24):9452-9458.
- Vasil'ev, E. D., Il'nitskaia, S. I., Nikitenko, E. V., and Kaledin, V. I. [Age- and sex-related differences in sensitivity to hepatotoxic action of estragole in mice]. Ross.Fiziol.Zh.Im I.M.Sechenova 2005;91(9):1066-1070.
- Logendra, S., Ribnicky, D. M., Yang, H., Poulev, A., Ma, J., Kennelly, E. J., and Raskin, I. Bioassay-guided isolation of aldose reductase inhibitors from Artemisia dracunculus. Phytochemistry 2006;67(14):1539-1546.
- Ribnicky, D. M., Poulev, A., Watford, M., Cefalu, W. T., and Raskin, I. Antihyperglycemic activity of Tarralin, an ethanolic extract of Artemisia dracunculus L. Phytomedicine. 2006;13(8):550-557.
- Benli, M., Kaya, I., and Yigit, N. Screening antimicrobial activity of various extracts of Artemisia dracunculus L. Cell Biochem.Funct. 2007;25(6):681-686.
- Jakupovic, J., Tan, R. X., Bohlmann, F., Jia, Z. J., and Huneck, S. Acetylenes and Other Constituents from Artemisia dracunculus. Planta Med. 1991;57(5):450-453.
- Govorko, D., Logendra, S., Wang, Y., Esposito, D., Komarnytsky, S., Ribnicky, D., Poulev, A., Wang, Z., Cefalu, W. T., and Raskin, I. Polyphenolic compounds from Artemisia dracunculus L. inhibit PEPCK gene expression and gluconeogenesis in an H4IIE hepatoma cell line. Am.J Physiol Endocrinol.Metab 2007;293(6):E1503-E1510.
- Shahriyary, L. and Yazdanparast, R. Inhibition of blood platelet adhesion, aggregation and secretion by Artemisia dracunculus leaves extracts. J Ethnopharmacol. 11-1-2007;114(2):194-198.
- Lopes-Lutz, D., Alviano, D. S., Alviano, C. S., and Kolodziejczyk, P. P. Screening of chemical composition, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of Artemisia essential oils. Phytochemistry 2008;69(8):1732-1738.
- Drinkwater, N. R., Miller, E. C., Miller, J. A., and Pitot, H. C. Hepatocarcinogenicity of estragole (1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene) and 1'-hydroxyestragole in the mouse and mutagenicity of 1'-acetoxyestragole in bacteria. J Natl.Cancer Inst. 1976;57(6):1323-1331.
- Ribnicky, D. M., Kuhn, P., Poulev, A., Logendra, S., Zuberi, A., Cefalu, W. T., and Raskin, I. Improved absorption and bioactivity of active compounds from an anti-diabetic extract of Artemisia dracunculus L. Int.J Pharm 3-31-2009;370(1-2):87-92.
- Dohi, S., Terasaki, M., and Makino, M. Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitory Activity and Chemical Composition of Commercial Essential Oils. J Agric.Food Chem. 4-9-2009;
- Kaledin, V. I., Pakharukova, M. Y., Pivovarova, E. N., Kropachev, K. Y., Baginskaya, N. V., Vasilieva, E. D., Ilnitskaya, S. I., Nikitenko, E. V., Kobzev, V. F., and Merkulova, T. I. Correlation between hepatocarcinogenic effect of estragole and its influence on glucocorticoid induction of liver-specific enzymes and activities of FOXA and HNF4 transcription factors in mouse and rat liver. Biochemistry (Mosc.) 2009;74(4):377-384.
- Thieme, H. and Nguyen, Thi Tam. [Studies on the accumulation and composition of volatile oils in Satureja hortensis L., Satureja montana L. and Artemisia dracunculus L. during ontogenesis. 1. Review of literature, thin-layer and gas-chromatographic studies]. Pharmazie 1972;27(4):255-265.
- Thieme, H. and Nguyen, Thi Tam. [Studies on the accumulation and composition of the volatile oils of Satureja hortensis L., Satureja montana L. and Artemisia dracunculus L. during ontogenesis. 2. Changes in the content and composition of the volatile oil]. Pharmazie 1972;27(5):324-331.
- European Medicines Agency, Committee on herbal medicinal products HMPC. Public statement on the use of herbal medicinal products containing estragole.
- de Pradier E. A trial of a mixture of three essential oils in the treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting. International Journal of Aromatherapy 2006;16(1):15-20.
- Aydin T, Akincioglu H, Gumustas M, Gulcin I, Kazaz C, Cakir A. Human monoamine oxidase (hMAO) A and hMAO B inhibitors from Artemisia dracunculus L. herniarin and skimmin: human mononamine oxidase A and B inhibitors from A. dracunculus L. Z Naturforsch C J Biosci 2020;75(11-12):459-466.
- Safari H, Anani Sarab G, Naseri M. Artemisia dracunculus L. modulates the immune system in a multiple sclerosis mouse model. Nutr Neurosci 2021;24(11):843-849.
- Allerton TD, Kowalski GM, Stampley J, et al. An Ethanolic Extract of Artemisia dracunculus L. Enhances the Metabolic Benefits of Exercise in Diet-induced Obese Mice. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2021;53(4):712-723.