Herbs - Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus ).

What Is It?

Little dragon or Russion tarragon is a tall perennial plant with smooth narrow leaves, and it is popular as a culinary herb. It is native to Europe, southern Russia and western Asia, but is now cultivated world-wide. A hybrid called French tarragon or sativa, is also available and has been cultivated as a garden herb. This is a smaller plant with sharper flavour. In all cases the leaves are used in cooking, herbal medicine and aromatherapy.

Action

The leaves contain volatile oil amongst other compounds. Historically it is said to be antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative (wind relieving), diuretic, anthelmintic (kills and removes worms), emmenagogue (stimulates menstruation), aperitif and a digestive tonic.

Uses

Historically it has been used to treat a number of conditions including:

• Hiatus hernia
• Heartburn
• High blood pressure
• Indigestion
• Intestinal parasites
• Lack of appetite
• Menstrual problems
• Poor digestion

Other information

The leaves can be infused to make a herbal tea, although this herb is rarely used in modern herbal medicine. As a culinary herb it is used with fish, poultry and sometimes in salads, and it can be used in place of salt and pepper. Tarragon is sometimes available as an aromatherapy oil, used to help with digestive disorders and female hormonal problems.

Cautions

• The safety of tarragon during pregnancy and lactation has not been sufficiently studied and should therefore be avoided (although the small amounts used in cooking are considered safe).



• The aromatherapy oil of tarragon is contra-indicated during pregnancy.



• At the time of writing there are no well -known side effects, drug interactions or contra-indications.

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