Russian tarragon

Artemisia dracunculus

Family: Asteraceae Genus: Artemisia Species: dracunculus

Synonyms: Oligosporus dracunculus, Artemisia dracunculus subsp. typica, Draconia dracunculus

Russian tarragon (en)

Western Herbalism Properties

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Botanical Description

Artemisia dracunculus, tarragon, is an aromatic perennial herb in the family Asteraceae with a wide native range across temperate Eurasia and western North America. From a creeping rhizome it sends up many slender, branched, leafy stems 60-150 cm tall, woody at the base. The alternate leaves are linear to narrowly lance-shaped, undivided and entire (unlike most artemisias), shining green and smooth, and emit a strong aniseed-like scent when crushed. From mid to late summer the upper branches carry slender panicles of numerous small, nodding, globose to ovoid capitula 2-4 mm across, each composed of yellowish-green disc florets enclosed in dry, papery involucral bracts; ray florets are absent. The achenes are tiny and smooth. The plant grows on dry slopes, steppe, river terraces and disturbed ground. The cultivated 'French tarragon' is a sterile clone selected for its strong flavour, while 'Russian tarragon' is the more vigorous, seed-grown, less aromatic wild form.

Native Region: Afghanistan, Alberta, Altay, Amur, Arizona, Baltic States, Belarus, Borneo, British Columbia, Buryatiya, California, Central European Rus, China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast, Chita, Colorado, East European Russia, East Himalaya, Gulf States, Hainan, Idaho, Illinois, India, Inner Mongolia, Iowa, Iran, Iraq, Irkutsk, Japan, Jawa, Kansas, Kazakhstan, Khabarovsk, Kirgizstan, Krasnoyarsk, Krym, Kuwait, Lebanon-Syria, Magadan, Malaya, Manchuria, Manitoba, Mexico Central, Mexico Gulf, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Northwest, Mexico Southeast, Mexico Southwest, Minnesota, Missouri, Mongolia, Montana, Myanmar, Nebraska, Nepal, Netherlands, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Caucasus, North Dakota, North European Russi, Northwest European R, Northwest Territorie, Oklahoma, Oman, Ontario, Oregon, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, Portugal, Primorye, Qinghai, Saskatchewan, Saudi Arabia, South Dakota, South European Russi, Spain, Sri Lanka, Tadzhikistan, Taiwan, Texas, Tibet, Transcaucasus, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuva, Ukraine, Utah, Uzbekistan, Vermont, Vietnam, Washington, West Himalaya, West Siberia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Xinjiang, Yakutskiya, Yemen, Yukon

Cultural & Historical Context

Traditional American Uses

Across western North America, Artemisia dracunculus was an important Native American medicine. The Thompson, Okanagan-Colville, Shoshoni, Paiute and many other peoples used external preparations of the plant as an antirheumatic wash and poultice for sore muscles and joints, as a dermatological aid for skin sores and irritations, and as an analgesic. Decoctions and infusions were taken as a gynecological aid in childbirth and menstrual complaints, as a pediatric remedy, in cold and cough treatments and for diaphoretic herbal steams. The Chippewa and other Plains peoples also applied the plant as an insecticide and used the dried, fragrant tops in mats and bedding (Moerman, 1998).

Chemistry & External Identifiers

Trefle ID

19232

Important Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.

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