Herbs in History: Yarrow & Tarragon

• By: AHPA
• On: 08/28/2024 06:25:30
• In: AHPA News

August 28, 2024

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In an effort to preserve and share the fascinating histories of medicinal plants and herbs that have been used around the world for ages, the AHPA Foundation for Education and Research on Botanicals (AHPA-ERB Foundation) is honored to partner with Alain Touwaide, Ph.D., and Emanuela Appetiti of the Institute for the Preservation of Medical Traditions to launch the Herbs in History project in 2022.

The penultimate entries for the second year of this series delve into the histories of yarrow and tarragon. Preview the entries below and visit Herbs in History online to read more.

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.)

As Strong as Iron?

If there is a plant with an impeccable pedigree, it is yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.) (Asteraceae). From Classical Antiquity to Native Americans and Canadian First Nations, it has enjoyed a special status. Its history allegedly goes as far back as Achilles, the most intrepid and courageous among the Greeks fighting Troy in the 13th century BCE, and its therapeutic uses made it one of the most important medicinal plants among the Indigenous populations of the Northern American Continent. | Read more...

Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus L.)

Dragons?

Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus L.) (Asteraceae), also known as French tarragon, wild tarragon, Russian tarragon, estragon, has a fantastic species name in its Linnean binomial designation: dracunculus in Latin, which evokes the medieval world of dragons and imaginary terrifying beasts. Its English and French names, Little Dragon Mugwort and Herbe au Dragon, respectively, bear witness to this connection with the medieval imaginary universe. | Read more...

About the Project

Herbs in History is made possible by funding from the AHPA-ERB Foundation, as part of the nonprofit foundation's mission promote education and research on medicinal, therapeutic, and health-promoting herbs. Tune in monthly for thoughtfully detailed historical accounts of herbs you know and love, and learn more about the origins of medicinal plants that have stood the test of time.