tarragon
Artemisia dracunculus · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Extensive (1196 studies) · ★★★★★
tarragon, scientifically known as Artemisia dracunculus, is a perennial herb cherished for its aromatic culinary and medicinal properties. Renowned for its distinct anise-like flavor, it has been used historically to aid digestion, reduce inflammation, and support metabolic health. This versatile plant remains a staple in both kitchens and herbalism.
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Native range
- Europe
- Parts used
- Leaf
- Common names
- Tarragon · French-Tarragon · 10 more
- Scientific synonyms
- Oligosporus Dracunculus · Draconia Dracunculus
Names
Common Names
- tarragon
- french-tarragon
- tarragon
- dragon sagewort
- dragon wormwood
- false tarragon
- linear-leaved wormwood
- tarragon sagewort
- wild tarragon
- French tarragon
- Russian tarragon
- silky wormwood
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- estragon
- Artemisia dracunculus subsp. glauca
- Artemisia glauca
- Draconia dracunculus
- Estragón
- Artemisia pamirica
- Artemisia simplicifolia
- Artemisia redowskii
- Artemisia aromatica
- Artemisia dracunculoides
- Oligosporus condimentarius
- Artemisia cernua
- Artemisia dracunculus subsp glauca
- dragoncillo
- estragón
German:
- Estragon
- Artemisia redowskyi
- Artemisia aromatica
- Artemisia glauca
- Artemisia dracunculoides
- Artemisia dracunculina
- Deutscher Estragon
- Französischer Estragon
- Estragonliebstöckel
French:
- estragon
- Estragon
- estragon français
- estragon
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Artemisia dracunculusSynonyms
- Oligosporus dracunculus
- Draconia dracunculus
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asterales, falling into the family Asteraceae. Finally, its taxonomic placement concludes within the genus Artemisia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Asterales | WCVP |
| Family | Asteraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Artemisia | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific distribution across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, it can be found growing in both Great Britain and Norway. Moving toward the center of the continent, the species is also established in Middle Europe. Specifically, its range includes the territories of Austria and the Czechia-Slovakia region. Finally, the plant is documented as being present within Germany.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Hungary | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Netherlands | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Poland | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Switzerland | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | France | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as tarragon, is a versatile herb valued for both its culinary and therapeutic properties. The most recognizable part used in cooking is the aromatic tarragon spice, which is derived from the slender, green leaf structures of the plant. Beyond its use as a seasoning, the plant is a source of potent essential oil, which contains the concentrated aromatic compounds responsible for its distinct scent. In medicinal applications, leaf extracts are frequently utilized to harness the plant's bioactive components for various health benefits.| Plant Part | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| leaf | Current medical mycology (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Artemisia dracunculus has 217 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Estragole, LIMONENE, ascorbic acid, eugenol, (-)-(R)-2'-methoxydihydroartemidin.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Estragole | 4 supporting sources | ★★☆☆☆ |
| LIMONENE | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ascorbic acid | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| eugenol | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (-)-(R)-2'-methoxydihydroartemidin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (E)-Artemidin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (Z)-Artemidin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 1,2-Dimethoxy-4-allyl benzene | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 1,8-Cineol | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 1,8-Cineole | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Estragole
- Dr. Duke
- Fitoterapia
- Journal of natural products
- Dental research journal
LIMONENE
- Dr. Duke
- Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
ascorbic acid
- Dr. Duke
- Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
eugenol
- Dr. Duke
- Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
(-)-(R)-2'-methoxydihydroartemidin
- Journal of natural products
(E)-Artemidin
- Dr. Duke
(Z)-Artemidin
- Dr. Duke
1,2-Dimethoxy-4-allyl benzene
- Dr. Duke
1,8-Cineol
- Dr. Duke
1,8-Cineole
- Dr. Duke
Activities
Artemisia dracunculus has 823 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antifungal, Analgesic, Antiepileptic, Antiinflammatory.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | Dr. Duke (and other 3 sources) | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | Current medical mycology (and other 3 sources) | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiepileptic | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiinflammatory | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | Dental research journal (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antipyretic | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Artemisia dracunculus has 19 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include E. coli, Helicobacter pylori, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, antidepressant.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| E. coli | Iranian journal of microbiology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Helicobacter pylori | World journal of gastroenterology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus aureus | Frontiers in pharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus epidermidis | Frontiers in pharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antidepressant | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| blood glucose | Frontiers in pharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | Frontiers in pharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dental caries | Current medical mycology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| digestive system diseases | Frontiers in pharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| EO | Iranian journal of microbiology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| EOs | Iranian journal of microbiology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aqueous extract | Frontiers in pharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cell tissue | Biochemical and biophysical research communications (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| essential oil | Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ethanolic extract | Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| extracts of Artemisia dracunculus cell tissue | Biochemical and biophysical research communications (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| herb | Frontiers in pharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hydroalcoholic extract | Current drug discovery technologies (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | Frontiers in pharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |