What Are the Benefits of Tarragon Herb and How Is It Used?

Tarragon is an aromatic herb native to Russia and Asia. The benefits of tarragon are that it is high in vitamins and polyphenols, improves insulin resistance, eases pain, and other benefits.

Tarragon is an herb also called estragon, dragon sagewort, dragon wormwood, or false tarragon. The term dragon comes from the shape of its leaves, which are said to look like dragon tongues. 

Tarragon, species named Artemisia dracunculus, is an aromatic herb native to Russia and Asia. There are two varieties known as French or Russian tarragon. The difference between them is the flavor and the way they’re grown. Russian tarragon grows from seed while French tarragon grows from propagated cuttings. 

People traditionally used tarragon to treat snakebites, relieve toothaches, and as a digestive stimulant. It was also commonly used for constipation, ulcers, and stomach cramps. Today, tarragon is mainly a cooking spice, though tea, extracts, essential oil, and supplements are also available. 

Tarragon is a great way to add flavor to your meals without adding salt. Still, the herb might also have other health benefits. 

Source of vitamins

Tarragon contains small amounts of vitamins A, B, and C. While you typically only use small amounts of the herb, it’s still a good source of other vitamins. One tablespoon, or 2 grams, of dried tarragon leaves contains:

• Potassium: 54.4 milligrams
• Calcium: 20.5 milligrams
• Magnesium: 6.25 milligrams

Rich in polyphenols

Tarragon is also rich in plant chemicals called polyphenols. These natural chemicals include the essential oil that gives tarragon its smell and flavor among other chemicals. 

One of these polyphenols in tarragon is a phenolic acid called gallic acid. According to studies, gallic acid can help protect your digestive system by lowering acid levels and stimulating your body to release natural antioxidant chemicals. It might also help balance blood sugar and blood fat levels and reduce inflammation.

While dried tarragon and tarragon extracts have some gallic acid, the overall antioxidant and polyphenol content is highest in the fresh plant. This means you’ll likely get the most antioxidant benefit from fresh tarragon rather than tarragon supplements.  

Might improve insulin resistance

Insulin resistance is when your body doesn’t respond to or use insulin properly. Your body releases insulin in response to rising blood sugar levels, which helps your cells take in glucose. If you don’t respond to insulin, you can end up with type 2 diabetes, so the more sensitive you are, the better. Tarragon might help. 

An animal study found that tarragon can help improve insulin sensitivity. Researchers fed mice a high-fat diet along with tarragon extract for three months. At the end of the study, they had lower insulin levels, better insulin signaling in muscles and liver, and lower fat buildup.

The study shows that tarragon extract prevents insulin resistance from a high-fat diet in animals. More research is necessary to understand if this could help your health. 

Might ease pain

People have used tarragon for years for pain relief. One of the main constituents in tarragon essential oil is a chemical called estragole, which is thought to ease pain by blocking nerve cell signals. 

Researchers tested tarragon essential oil on mice with chemical or heat-related pain. They injected high doses of the essential oil into the mice and found it lowered pain by 89 percent to 97 percent. 

There are a few limitations to this study, though, mainly the dose. Tarragon essential oil is very rich in estragole, and high amounts of this constituent are toxic. While estragole in food is likely safe, the animals received very high doses, which doesn’t relate to human health. 

The European Medicines Agency recommends adults get no more than 51.8 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day of estragole and for a maximum of 14 days. This means an adult weighing 50 kilograms or 110 pounds would take 0.5 milligrams daily for only two weeks. The dose for children is far less. 

Plus, researchers also injected essential oils into the animals, which isn’t a safe practice for people and doesn’t show real-life use. It doesn’t mean it doesn’t work, but that more studies are necessary to understand tarragon. 

Might brighten skin

Melanin is a pigment made by your skin cells that gives your skin color. Your cells naturally make more melanin to protect against UV damage or because of inflammation. Some skin disorders like melasma, hyperpigmentation, and age spots happen because melanin builds up in your skin.

Skincare products often have plant extracts that interrupt the melanin process that happens in these skin disorders. In lab dish studies, tarragon extract blocked certain hormone activity, suggesting it could help brighten skin. More studies are necessary. 

The Food and Drug Administration lists tarragon herb, extracts, and essential oil as generally safe for human consumption. While it contains estragole, eating reasonable amounts of tarragon as food is likely safe.

Animal studies show that estragole can cause tumors, but studies also show that tarragon extract might prevent tumors. Still, talk to your doctor before taking tarragon supplements.  

Fresh or dried herb spice

You can use fresh or dried tarragon leaves in salads, vinegar, fish and poultry dishes, and sauces or marinades. Try steeping fresh or dried leaves in boiling water for a soothing digestive tea. It has an anise flavor, which is like fennel or black licorice candy. 

Essential oil

Tarragon essential oil is often used in perfumes, skincare products, and as a food additive. You can apply tarragon essential oil to your skin, though with a fatty carrier oil like jojoba or grapeseed oil. 

Tarragon contains 60 percent to 80 percent estragole, so you’ll need to use it at a 1 percent dilution. This means your mixture should have 99 percent carrier oil and 1 percent tarragon essential oil. 

Supplement or extract

You can also find tarragon supplements and extracts, which might have some health benefits. These supplements are meant for short-term use only, up to 14 days. 

People have used tarragon as a remedy for pain and digestion for a long time. It’s safe to eat, but supplements and extracts are best at low doses for up to 2 weeks. It also might not be safe for all people. If you’re thinking about taking tarragon supplements, talk to your doctor first.