Tarragon

Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus L.)

1. Identity, Botanical Classification, and Natural Source

Botanical name: Artemisia dracunculus L. Family: Asteraceae (Compositae). Artemisia dracunculus is a perennial herb in the Asteraceae (daisy) family. The genus name derives from the Greek goddess Artemis; the species epithet dracunculus means "little dragon," a reference to its serpentine roots and, historically, to a doctrine of signatures association with snake and reptile bites. The plant was commonly called draco; the botanist and German physician Valerius Cordus (16th century) uses the name Draco sativus.

Common names: English names include tarragon, estragon, dragon sagewort, dragon wormwood, false tarragon, French tarragon, and green tarragon. In the Unani and Arabic traditions it is known as Tarkhun; in Traditional Chinese Medicine it is called Xia Ye Qing Hao.

Geographic origin and habitat: A. dracunculus originates from areas of Siberia and Mongolia. In its natural habitats, this species can be found in Central Asia, in Mediterranean countries, in Eastern Europe and in North America, growing in meadows in alkaline soils, in birch forests, near rivers, on mountain slopes and steppes. It is a plant now widely cultivated in the Americas, Asia and Europe.

Morphology: A. dracunculus is a hairless perennial, reaching a height of up to 150 cm. Its straight stems are ribbed and have no flowers in the lower parts. The leaves are arranged alternately and are sessile. The lower leaves are tripartite at the apex, while the middle and upper leaves are lanceolate. The tip of the leaf is sharp and the leaf blade margins are entire. Yellow, tubular flowers are gathered in hanging, spherical capitula forming loose panicles. The fruit are achenes. The plant has strong, woody rhizomes, 0.5–1.5 cm thick, from which clusters of small roots grow.

Cultivars: Two well-described "cultivars" — Russian and French — are used widely and differ in ploidy level, morphology, and chemistry. French tarragon (A. dracunculus var. sativa) is highly prized in European cuisine for its pronounced anise-like flavor and is sterile, propagated vegetatively. Russian tarragon (A. dracunculus var. dracunculus) is fertile, has a milder flavor, and has been the primary subject of much Western pharmacological research.

Raw materials and common preparations: The raw materials obtained from this species are herb and leaf. Commercial preparations include dried leaf, hydroethanolic extracts (most prominently the standardized ethanolic extract designated PMI-5011), essential oils obtained by steam distillation, aqueous infusions (herbal teas), decoctions, tinctures, and fresh culinary herb. Tarragon is also used as a seasoning for meat, sauces, rice dishes, fish and marinades, and it has preservative properties, being used for pickling cabbage and cucumbers, marinating pumpkins, and for the production of tarragon mustard and herbal vinegars. It is also added to infusions, refreshing drinks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages — including "Tarkhun," a carbonated, non-alcoholic drink whose main ingredient is fresh A. dracunculus leaves.

2. Traditional and Historical Use

2.1 Asian and Middle Eastern Traditions

A. dracunculus has a long history of use in traditional Asian medicine, mainly in Iran, Pakistan, Azerbaijan and India. It is known as a spice species in Asia, Europe and the Americas. In traditional Asian medicine, this species is used in the treatment of digestive system diseases, as an analgesic, hypnotic, antiepileptic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic agent, and as an effective remedy in the treatment of helminthiasis.

In Europe, this species is a popular spice plant; in Asian countries (Iran, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, India) it has long been used in traditional medicine, both in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases and as an anesthetic, hypnotic, and anti-epileptic agent. It has been recommended as an effective treatment for inflammation, fever and helminthiasis.

Tarragon is used for centuries in the daily diet in many Middle Eastern countries, and it is well known for its anticoagulant activity. In Unani medicine, tarragon (known as Tarkhun) was used as a "warm and dry" herb to promote digestion, stimulate appetite, and alleviate flatulence and colic, and was considered an analgesic for toothache.

2.2 European Traditions

In the 18th and 19th centuries, the stimulating tarragon herb was used in Europe more as a spice plant than a medicinal plant, which is confirmed by pharmacopoeias and dispensatories of that era. Earlier European herbalists noted the plant's traditional use for snakebite — the doctrine of signatures argument based on the serpentine root — as well as for treatment of insomnia, toothache, and digestive complaints. Tarragon has been used to relieve flatulence and colic, as well as for treatment of rheumatism. It was believed that tarragon leaf could cure insect stings and snakebites, as well as the bites of rabid dogs.

Tarragon has been used in traditional medicine to treat fever, gastric ailments, ulcers, intestinal cramps, menstrual problems, toothache, loss of appetite, indigestion, and allergic rashes.

2.3 Culinary Traditions

Tarragon is popular in France and occasionally used in other Mediterranean countries. In French cuisine, tarragon is a flavoring of meat, fish, and vegetable dishes. It is also a basic ingredient of the herb mix fines herbes and the béarnaise sauce. In eastern Turkey, tarragon is often used to garnish soups; in Spain it is added to cold fish tapas.

3. Key Constituents and Active Compounds

3.1 Overview

Key biologically active secondary metabolites are essential oils (0.15–3.1%), coumarins (>1%), flavonoids, and phenolcarbonic acids. The presence of essential oil with a highly variable composition, as well as flavonoids, phenolic acids, coumarins and alkamides, determines the medicinal and/or spice properties of the plant.

3.2 Essential Oil

Oxygenated monoterpenes are the predominant class of chemicals in tarragon essential oils. Of these, estragole is the compound found in the highest concentration, regardless of the method used to obtain the tarragon essential oil. French tarragon is favored for its spicy, licorice-like flavor, which has been attributed to high amounts (60–81%) of methyl chavicol, also known as estragole or 1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene, in its volatile oil.

Other compounds found in concentrations greater than 1% in at least one of the obtained tarragon essential oils are cis-β-ocimene, trans-β-ocimene, caryophyllene oxide, limonene, eugenol, eugenol acetate, methyl eugenol ether, and α-pinene. Also noted are methyl chavicol/p-allylanisole (40–85%), sabinene (approximately 35%), methyl eugenol (approximately 25%), and elemicin (up to 57%). Other compounds present in the oil in concentrations greater than 10% include terpinen-4-ol, β-ocimene, cis-ocimene, α-trans-ocimene, limonene, trans-anethole, α-phellandrene, β-phellandrene, (Z)-artemidin, and capillene.

Russian tarragon essential oil differs markedly in composition. Methyleugenol and estragole are usually present in Russian tarragon oils at about 10% and 3%, respectively. However, estragole is one of the predominant compounds in the essential oil of French tarragon, constituting up to 82%. Trans-anethole (21.1%), α-trans-ocimene (20.6%), limonene (12.4%), α-pinene (5.1%), and allo-ocimene (4.8%) are the other main components.

3.3 Flavonoids

Flavonoids and caffeoylquinic acids are the main phenolic components of extracts from tarragon's aerial parts. Estragonoside, having the structure of 4′,5,6,7,8-pentahydroxy-3′-methoxyflavone-8-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside, and pinocembrin 7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, a new flavonoid compound, were isolated from the epigeal part of tarragon for the first time by Kurkin et al. (1997). Among the bioactive flavonoid compounds specifically identified in the PMI-5011 extract are davidigenin, sakuranetin, 2′,4′-dihydroxy-4-methoxydihydrochalcone (DMC-2) and 2′,4-dihydroxy-4′-methoxydihydrochalcone (DMC-1), previously identified and isolated from PMI-5011 using bioactivity-guided fractionation.

3.4 Coumarins

The main compounds of the aerial part of tarragon are essential oil, coumarins, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. Due to the coumarin content, tarragon extracts demonstrate anticoagulant activity, while the phenolic compounds in the extract provide antioxidant properties. From the aerial parts of tarragon, one known alkamide — pellitorine — two new alkamides, neopellitorine A and neopellitorine B, and one known coumarin "herniarine" were isolated by Saadali et al.

3.5 Alkamides and Phenolic Acids

Phytochemical tests have confirmed the presence of numerous flavonoid compounds, phenolic acids, coumarins and alkamides in the herb and leaves, as well as a very high variability of the chemical composition of the essential oil. These alkamides, including pellitorine and related compounds, contribute to the mild local anesthetic and anti-inflammatory properties historically attributed to the herb.

4. Mechanisms of Action

4.1 Insulin Signaling and Glucose Metabolism

The ethanolic extract of A. dracunculus L. enhances insulin sensitivity by demonstrating increases in insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of insulin receptor signaling proteins and enhanced downstream kinase activities. Nutritional supplementation with PMI-5011 improved insulin action in vivo in an insulin-resistant mouse model by enhancing signaling through the insulin receptor. Specifically, increases in IRS-1 associated PI-3 kinase activity and Akt phosphorylation and activity were observed in vivo in skeletal muscle after insulin stimulation in insulin resistant KKay mice administered PMI-5011 when compared with controls.

Several metabolic pathways related to glycolysis, glucose transport and cell signaling were highly represented and differentially regulated in the presence of PMI-5011, indicating that this extract affects several pathways modulating carbohydrate metabolism, including translocation of GLUT4 to the plasma membrane, resulting in enhanced glucose uptake.

Perturbations in sphingolipid metabolism contribute to the pathogenesis of insulin resistance. A growing body of literature supports the contention that the bioactive compounds from Artemisia dracunculus L. restore insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes. The bioactive compound DMC-2 from PMI-5011 alters glycosphingolipid composition in muscle cells by down-regulating the expression of the enzyme responsible for glucosylceramide synthesis. Not just ceramide, but rather its glycosphingolipid metabolites, are instrumental in the development of insulin resistance.

4.2 Anti-inflammatory Mechanisms

Tarragon infusion is able to inhibit reactive oxygen species (ROS), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) production in vitro. 2′,4′-Dihydroxy-4-methoxydihydrochalcone (DMC2), a bioactive molecule isolated from an ethanolic extract of Artemisia dracunculus L., functions as a novel anti-inflammatory agent. The ethanolic extract (PMI-5011) reduced IL-1β-mediated NF-κB activity, and DMC2 retained this ability, indicating this compound as the likely source of anti-inflammatory activity within the overall PMI-5011 extract.

Ethanol extracts of A. dracunculus have moderate in vitro antioxidant activity and demonstrated in vivo antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory effects by NF-κB-p65, IL-1β, IL-18, and gasdermin D serum level reduction.

4.3 Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet Mechanisms

Platelet hyperactivity and platelet interaction with endothelial cells contribute to the development and progression of many cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and thrombosis. Artemisia dracunculus, owing to its phytochemical composition, has become intriguing; it is used for centuries in the daily diet in many Middle Eastern countries and is well known for its anticoagulant activity. The anticoagulant effect is primarily attributed to the coumarin content of the plant, with coumarin derivatives acting on clotting factor pathways.

4.4 Antioxidant Mechanisms

Due to the coumarin content, tarragon extracts demonstrate anticoagulant activity, while the phenolic compounds in the extract provide antioxidant properties. Mechanistic studies in various in vitro models have consistently demonstrated free-radical scavenging activity attributable to the flavonoid and phenolic acid fractions, measurable via DPPH and other standard assays.

5. Scientific Evidence by Area of Use

5.1 Glycemic Control and Type 2 Diabetes

This is the area in which tarragon (specifically as the standardized ethanolic extract PMI-5011) has generated the most rigorous mechanistic and translational research. The evidence base comprises in vitro work using human primary skeletal muscle cells, in vivo animal studies, and early-phase human laboratory investigations.

A botanical extract from Artemisia dracunculus L., termed PMI-5011, has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity by increasing cellular insulin signaling in in vitro and in vivo studies. These studies suggest that PMI-5011 effects changes in phosphorylation levels of proteins involved in insulin signaling. To explore effects of this promising botanical extract on the human skeletal muscle phosphoproteome, changes in site-specific protein phosphorylation levels in primary skeletal muscle cultures from obese, insulin resistant individuals were evaluated with and without insulin stimulation.

Glucose uptake was significantly increased in the presence of increasing concentrations of PMI-5011. In addition, glycogen accumulation, observed to be decreased with increasing free fatty acid levels, was partially restored with PMI-5011.

In one in vitro study, a defined plant extract from Artemisia dracunculus L. (PMI-5011) was used to improve β-cell function and maintain β-cell number in pancreatic islets as an alternative drug approach for the treatment of diabetes. The data demonstrated that a well characterized extract of Artemisia dracunculus L. (PMI-5011), as observed in in vitro experiments, can trigger insulin release from primary β cells (NIT-1), isolated islets from mouse pancreases, and isolated human pancreatic islets without any toxicity or change in β-cell number.

PMI-5011 improved insulin sensitivity in diabetic-obese myotubes to the level of normal-lean myotubes despite the presence of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Regarding diabetic peripheral neuropathy, PMI-5011 (500 mg/kg/day for 7 weeks) alleviated diabetes-induced nerve conduction slowing, small sensory nerve fiber dysfunction, and increased intra-epidermal nerve fiber density. PMI-5011 blunted sciatic nerve and spinal cord 12/15-lipoxygenase activation and oxidative-nitrosative stress, without ameliorating hyperglycemia.

Evidence strength: The antidiabetic evidence for PMI-5011 is mechanistically detailed and internally consistent across multiple cell culture and animal model studies conducted primarily by research groups at Louisiana State University and Rutgers University. Because of the lack of scientific/clinical efficacy, precise mechanisms of action, and safety data with natural botanical sources, these natural products have not been recommended for routine use in modern medical practices. It would be advantageous to test the extract in large-scale clinical studies. If the human studies are eventually shown to be positive, that approach can be suggested. A Phase 1 clinical trial (NCT01057576) of PMI-5011 in obese insulin-resistant subjects was registered, evaluating safety and effects on insulin action; however, large-scale randomized controlled trial data in humans are not yet published in peer-reviewed literature.

5.2 Anti-inflammatory Activity

In vivo studies mainly in rodents, particularly from Russian sources, highlight potential anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and antihyperglycemic effects. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects known from applications in traditional medicine have been confirmed in pharmacological studies.

A 2020 study published in Frontiers in Pharmacology characterized phytochemicals in a tarragon infusion and evaluated its effects in an in vitro model of human neutrophils. The study used ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector-electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS). Flavonoids and caffeoylquinic acids were the main phenolic components. The infusion was able to inhibit reactive oxygen species (ROS), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) production.

A 2024 in vivo study in rats investigated A. dracunculus ethanol extract using turpentine oil-induced inflammation in Wistar male rats. Antioxidant activity was evaluated in vitro by DPPH, FRAP, H₂O₂, and NO scavenging tests and in vivo by measuring total oxidative status, total antioxidant capacity, and oxidative stress markers. Inflammation was evaluated by measuring NF-κB-p65 and NLRP3 inflammasome activation with IL-1β, IL-18, and gasdermin D. The experimental results indicated that A. dracunculus ethanol extracts have moderate in vitro antioxidant activity and demonstrated in vivo antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory effect by NF-κB-p65, IL-1β, IL-18, and gasdermin D serum level reduction.

Evidence strength: Anti-inflammatory evidence is primarily in vitro and animal-based. No large randomized controlled trials in humans have evaluated tarragon specifically for inflammatory conditions. The evidence is preliminary and considered mechanistically supportive rather than clinically conclusive.

5.3 Antimicrobial Activity

In vitro pharmacological studies indicate that tarragon has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiplatelet activity. The antimicrobial assay was performed with the use of nine strains of bacteria, both Gram-negative and Gram-positive. Three human pathogens — Staphylococcus aureus ATCC6538, Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC14990, and Staphylococcus aureus MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) ATCC43300 — proved to be susceptible.

Bacteriostatic and bactericidal activities of tarragon essential oil were evaluated with the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion test, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) test, and the minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) test. The results revealed the greatest inhibition of the growth of Salmonella enteritidis over Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes. The MIC and MBC tests displayed the highest bacteriostatic and bactericidal activity against Escherichia coli (MIC and MBC = 5.14), whereas in Listeria monocytogenes the bactericidal effect was poorer, and lower values of MIC and MBC were obtained in Salmonella enteritidis.

Tarragon is known to possess antimicrobial activity against a wide range of bacterial species, including Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella, Listeria monocytogenes, and Pseudomonas species.

Evidence strength: Antimicrobial evidence is entirely in vitro. No human clinical trials have evaluated tarragon for infectious disease. This evidence cannot be extrapolated to therapeutic use without further clinical investigation.

5.4 Hepatoprotective Activity

In vivo pharmacological studies have shown that tarragon has anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antihyperglycemic, and antioxidant activity. Hepatoprotective and hypoglycaemic and thyroid-regulating effects have also been demonstrated in pharmacological studies. Hepatoprotective activity is attributed primarily to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the phenolic fractions, which may reduce oxidative damage to hepatocytes.

Evidence strength: Hepatoprotective data are largely from rodent studies. No controlled human trials have been conducted. The evidence is preliminary.

5.5 Thyroid-Regulating Effects

One rodent study was conducted on a group of 48 rats in which hypothyroidism was induced by the administration of propylthiouracil. The rodents were orally administered an aqueous extract of the herb, and samples of the animals' blood were taken during the experiment. A significant increase in the level of thyroxine and triiodothyronine was proven after the administration of 300 mg/kg of the plant extract; moreover, a decrease in the elevated level of thyrotropin was recorded. At a dose of 200 mg/kg, the extract increased the total antioxidant capacity and the level of glutathione, and there was also a decrease in the level of malonaldehyde, a marker of oxidative stress.

Evidence strength: This is single animal study data only. No human clinical evidence is available.

5.6 Anticoagulant and Antiplatelet Activity

Tarragon has been well known for its anticoagulant activity for centuries in many Middle Eastern countries. Research has investigated the presence of coumarins in tarragon leaves and determined the extract with the greatest amount of coumarin derivatives. Due to the coumarin content, tarragon extracts demonstrate anticoagulant activity. Separate in vitro studies have also demonstrated inhibition of blood platelet adhesion, aggregation, and secretion by tarragon leaf extracts.

Evidence strength: Anticoagulant and antiplatelet data are from in vitro work and traditional empirical use. No randomized clinical trials have established a therapeutic anticoagulant dose or efficacy in humans. The anticoagulant potential carries practical significance for drug interaction risk (see Section 7).

5.7 Antidepressant and CNS Effects

An antidepressant effect has also been documented in preclinical research. Traditional use in Unani medicine included tarragon as a hypnotic and sleep aid. It has been used in traditional medicine both in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases and as an anesthetic, hypnotic and anti-epileptic agent.

Evidence strength: CNS-related evidence (antidepressant, hypnotic, anti-epileptic) is from traditional reports and animal/in vitro studies. No controlled human trials exist in these domains.

5.8 Antioxidant Activity

Multiple in vitro assay systems have demonstrated meaningful free-radical scavenging activity in tarragon extracts. Fresh tarragon was subjected to extraction with water and ethanol, and the extract underwent a DPPH test and was used to determine total amounts of phenols and flavonoids by the spectrophotometric method. The estimated total phenolic content was 24.1 mg/g dry weight (as gallic acid equivalent).

Evidence strength: Antioxidant data are robust at the in vitro level but have not been translated into proven clinical outcomes in human trials.

5.9 Antineoplastic and Immunomodulatory Effects

Antibacterial, antifungal and antiprotozoal properties have been documented, together with extremely valuable antioxidant, immunomodulatory and antineoplastic properties. Studies have examined tarragon extracts' effects on cell proliferation and apoptosis in cancer cell lines. The dracunculus herb could be a good immunomodulating agent; moreover, it was free from potentially harmful estragole and methyl eugenol in certain preparations tested.

Evidence strength: Antineoplastic and immunomodulatory data are from cell culture studies. No human clinical trial data support these applications.

6. Body Systems and Health Areas Associated with Tarragon

• Endocrine / Metabolic system: Insulin sensitization, glycemic regulation, antidiabetic mechanisms (most extensively researched).
• Immune / Inflammatory system: Inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-8, IL-1β, NF-κB pathway); immunomodulation.
• Gastrointestinal system: Traditional use for digestive health, appetite stimulation, and treating conditions like gastritis and skin irritations.
• Cardiovascular system: Anticoagulant and antiplatelet effects via coumarin and phenolic fractions; potential impact on lipid profiles.
• Hepatic system: Hepatoprotective effects demonstrated in animal models, attributed to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.
• Endocrine (thyroid): Preliminary rodent data suggesting modulation of thyroid hormone levels and thyroid antioxidant status.
• Nervous system: Traditional use as hypnotic, analgesic, and antiepileptic; preclinical antidepressant activity reported.
• Antimicrobial: Broad in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activity across multiple pathogen species.

7. Dosage Forms and Doses Reported in Studies

There is no established standardized therapeutic dose for tarragon in humans, as large clinical trials are lacking. The following doses appear in the scientific literature:

• PMI-5011 (ethanolic extract) — animal models: PMI-5011 at 500 mg/kg/day for 7 weeks was used in diabetic mice to evaluate effects on peripheral neuropathy.
• PMI-5011 — human in vitro studies: Various concentrations were applied to primary human skeletal muscle cell cultures in mechanistic studies; glucose uptake, glycogen accumulation, PI-3 kinase activity, and Akt phosphorylation were measured in primary skeletal muscle culture from subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus incubated with or without various concentrations of PMI-5011, and glucose uptake was significantly increased in the presence of increasing concentrations.
• Aqueous extract — thyroid rodent study: A significant increase in thyroxine and triiodothyronine was proven after administration of 300 mg/kg of plant extract to rats; at a dose of 200 mg/kg, the extract increased total antioxidant capacity and the level of glutathione.
• PMI-5011 — human Phase 1 trial: A soy-protein isolate-Russian tarragon complex was tested with ascending single and multiple oral dose Phase 1 studies. PMI-5011 is an ethanolic extract of Artemisia dracunculus L. Specific dose ranges tested in this Phase 1 study were not yet fully published in the accessible peer-reviewed literature at the time of writing.
• Dosage form — preparation note: Extensive safety testing was conducted with the botanical extract, including complete Ames analysis, a 14-day repeated-dose oral toxicity study in rats, and an oral subchronic 90-day toxicity study in rats, none of which showed any indication of toxicity. Based on these studies, PMI-5011 was considered an attractive dietary supplement for human use in the area of improving glucose metabolism.

8. Safety Considerations and Interactions

8.1 Estragole: Genotoxicity and Carcinogenicity

The most significant and extensively debated safety issue for tarragon is the presence of estragole (methyl chavicol) in its essential oil fraction. The HMPC concluded on the basis of available toxicological data that estragole is a naturally occurring genotoxic carcinogen with a DNA potency similar to safrole. There is a general consensus that the mechanism of action of genotoxicity and carcinogenicity is the dose-dependent production of a reactive metabolite — the sulfate conjugate of 1'-hydroxy estragole — and its subsequent binding to DNA, with eventual genotoxic and carcinogenic sequelae. The metabolic activation and DNA binding occur also in human experimental systems.

After analyzing the available data, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) classified estragole and methyl eugenol as genotoxic and carcinogenic compounds. However, a safe threshold for their consumption has not been established. The Commission recommends limiting the use of both compounds.

The European Medicines Agency — Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC) — in 2019 stated that "there is evidence of genotoxic carcinogenicity; exposure to this compound [estragole] should be kept as low as practically achievable." HMPC recommended the acceptable intake of estragole per day for adults — 51.8 µg/kg of body weight, and for children — 1.0 µg/kg of body weight. The report concluded that the intake of estragole from herbal medicinal products in the population should be as low as possible.

Despite concerns about the toxic effects of two of its main constituents — estragole (up to 82%) and methyleugenol (up to 39%) — no acute toxicity or mutagenic activity has been reported at doses relevant for human consumption. Water extracts of A. dracunculus contain very low amounts of estragole and methyleugenol and are therefore considered to pose a very limited risk.

The volatile nature of estragole is practically relevant: the estragole content of one characterized Artemisia dracunculus extract was determined to be below the limits of detection by GC-MS (below 0.001%). Artemisia dracunculus does contain estragole, but estragole is a volatile compound that is removed during the preparation of such extracts.

8.2 Methyleugenol

Methyl eugenol is also considered to be genotoxic and carcinogenic but is a common dietary component and is found in very high concentrations in basil and other herbs. Methyl eugenol was detected in one characterized Artemisia dracunculus extract and its concentration was determined to be less than 0.17%. Drying the extract at elevated temperatures reduced the methyl eugenol content by an additional 40-fold.

8.3 Anticoagulant Drug Interactions

Because tarragon contains coumarin derivatives that have demonstrated anticoagulant and antiplatelet activity in vitro, concomitant use with anticoagulant drugs (e.g., warfarin) or antiplatelet agents (e.g., aspirin, clopidogrel) carries a theoretically additive bleeding risk. Platelet hyperactivity and platelet interaction with endothelial cells contribute to the development and progression of many cardiovascular diseases, and Artemisia dracunculus, owing to its phytochemical composition, has become intriguing in the context of platelet biology. The magnitude of this interaction in humans has not been quantified in controlled trials.

8.4 Hypoglycemic Drug Interactions

Given the mechanistically documented insulin-sensitizing properties of tarragon extracts in in vitro and animal models, there is a theoretical additive risk of hypoglycemia when high-dose tarragon preparations are used alongside insulin or oral hypoglycemic drugs. PMI-5011 is able to significantly decrease blood glucose concentrations in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice and in genetically diabetic KK-Ay mice; however, the preparation does not decrease blood glucose concentrations in non-diabetic mice or rats. This glucose-lowering selectivity in diabetic animal models warrants caution in patients on existing antidiabetic therapy.

8.5 Pregnancy and Lactation

As a member of the Artemisia genus, high-dose preparations have historically been associated with emmenagogue activity. The EMA's concern about estragole extends specifically to children, where the recommended maximum acceptable intake (1.0 µg/kg body weight/day) is far more restrictive than for adults. Safety data in pregnancy and lactation for tarragon extracts beyond culinary amounts are absent from the published scientific literature.

8.6 Allergic Reactions

As a member of the Asteraceae family, tarragon may cause allergic reactions in individuals with known hypersensitivity to other Asteraceae plants (e.g., ragweed, chamomile, chrysanthemums), though specific clinical documentation of cross-reactivity in published studies is limited.

8.7 Culinary Use vs. Supplemental Use

Culinary use of tarragon in typical cooking quantities is considered safe by regulatory bodies. The safety concerns summarized above pertain primarily to concentrated preparations — essential oils, high-dose extracts, and medicinal supplements — not to the herb used in food preparation. Because of the generally accepted evidence of genotoxic carcinogenicity, exposure to estragole should be kept as low as practically achievable.

References

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