Tarragon

Tarragon comes in two varieties, Russian and French.  The former has less oil - and therefore, less flavor and medicinal value - so tarragon almost always implies the French Plant.

Russian tarragon may be grown from seeds, but the more desirable French variety must be propagated from cuttings or root divisions.

French tarragon is a perennial with a creeping, serpentine root, and stems that reach 2 feet.  Its leaves look like a larger version of rosemary.  This herb rarely flowers, and if it does, the fruits are sterile.

Tarragon is best known as the main seasoning in bearnaise sauce, but like all aromatic herbs, it also has a long history in herbal healing.  Unlike most other aromatics, however, it fell from healing fashion in the 17th century and has only recently been rediscovered as an oral anesthetic with some potential for the prevention of heart disease.

The ancient Greeks knew chewing tarragon numbs the mouth and used it to treat toothache.  They also figured that its anesthetic power - not to mention wide-ranging root runners - made it the herb of choice to relieve the discomforts of traveling.

Roman naturalist Pliny wrote that the herb prevents fatigue on long journeys.  And during the Middle Ages, pilgrims placed tarragon sprigs in their shoes.

Under the Doctrine of Signatures - the medieval belief that an herb's appearance reveals its medicinal value - tarragon's serpentine roots were considered a sign it could cure snakebite.  Over the centuries, the belief expanded to include the bites of rabid dogs.  But by the 17th century, this belief had faded.

Later herbalists virtually abandoned tarragon because it loses most of its aromatic healing oil as it dries.  Even America's 19th-century Eclectic physicians, who prized botanical drugs, had no use for it.

Few contemporary herbalists value tarragon except in French cooking.  Those who do recognize it reiterate its traditional uses as a diuretic, appetite stimulant, digestive aid and treatment for toothache.

ANESTHETIC: Tarragon oil contains an anesthetic chemical, eugenol, which is the major constituent of anesthetic clove oil, supporting its age-old use for toothache.  Tarragon provides only temporary relief of oral pain, however. 

INFECTION PREVENTION: Like many culinary herbs, tarragon oil fights disease-causing bacteria in the test tube.  For garden first aid, press some fresh crushed tarragon leaves onto wounds on the way to washing and bandaging them.

INTRIGUING POSSIBILITIES: Tarragon oil contains a chemical (rutin) that strengthens capillary walls.  Animal studies show rutin helps prevent the artery-narrowing plaque deposits closely associated with heart disease and some strokes.  Tarragon's impact on plaque prevention in human arteries is a matter of conjecture, but it just might help.

Tarragon contains another chemical, estragole, that in large amounts produces tumors in mice.  Tarragon has never been associated with human cancer, but until its effects are clarified, those with a history of cancer should probably not use medicinal amounts.

Tarragon is included in the Food and Drug Administration's list of herbs generally regarded as safe.  For otherwise healthy non pregnant, non nursing adults, tarragon is considered safe in amounts typically recommended.

Tarragon should be used in medicinal amounts only in consultation with your doctor.  If tarragon causes minor discomforts, such as stomach upset or diarrhea, use less or stop using it.  Let your doctor know if you experience unpleasant effects or if the symptoms for which the herb is being used do not improve significantly in two weeks.