tarragon
Herbs & Spices
Is tarragon high in nightshades?
Find out whether tarragon is high or low in nightshades, see its exact rating, and check its FODMAP, salicylate, oxalate and diet compatibility all in one place.
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Sensitivity notes
Why nightshades food checker matters
Nightshades are a plant family including tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and potatoes. Some people find that avoiding nightshades helps with joint pain, digestive issues, or inflammatory conditions, though research is limited.
- Complete elimination for 30 days gives the clearest picture
- Watch for hidden nightshades in spice blends and sauces
- Paprika and cayenne are nightshades often overlooked
Triggers
Diets
Serving size, prep, and portion notes for tarragon
Tarragon is the anise-scented herb that holds classic French cooking together. It is the reduction that defines bearnaise and one of the four fines herbes alongside parsley, chives and chervil. Which tarragon you have matters more than with most herbs: French tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus var. sativa) is propagated from cuttings because it rarely sets viable seed, and its oil is dominated by estragole, while the seed-grown Russian type is coarser, blunter and considerably weaker. On triggers the herb itself is quiet. Histamine grades A, and so do gluten, lactose, nickel, sulfites, nitrites and tyramine, with A across all four FODMAP subgroups, so tarragon will not add fructans to a low FODMAP plate. Salicylate sits at a moderate C, with mild B marks for histamine liberation, oxalate and free glutamate.
Watch for
Moderate salicylate (C), which is the only grade on this page that asks for portioning. Fresh sprigs folded into a sauce at the end are a smaller dose than dried tarragon rubbed on by the spoonful / Tarragon dries badly. Its estragole is highly volatile and largely evaporates, leaving a flat, hay-like powder, so cooks compensate by using two or three times as much. That habit quietly multiplies the salicylate exposure while giving back very little flavour / The dish is usually the trigger, not the herb. Bearnaise pairs tarragon with a vinegar and wine reduction, and vinegar grades histamine C, sulfite C and tyramine B, on top of egg yolk and a lot of butter. If bearnaise reliably sets you off, work backwards through the sauce before you blame the tarragon / Tarragon vinegar is the same problem in a bottle. You are buying the vinegar base with its histamine and sulfite grades, not a concentrated form of a low-trigger herb / Essential oil is a different exposure class entirely. Tarragon oil is concentrated estragole and has nothing to do with the amount of leaf that goes into a chicken dish; do not read a herb grade as clearance for an oil or supplement
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Nightshades Guide
Everything you need to know about nightshades sensitivity and smart food choices.
Nightshades are a plant family including tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and potatoes. Some people find that avoiding nightshades helps with joint pain, digestive issues, or inflammatory conditions, though research is limited.
Sensitivity varies widely. What triggers one person may be fine for another. Track your reactions to find your personal threshold.
These foods are generally well-tolerated for Nightshades sensitivity:
View all safe options
These foods have moderate levels and may be tolerated in small amounts:
These foods are high in nightshades and may trigger symptoms:
View full list
If you're sensitive to Nightshades, consider these strategies:
- 1Complete elimination for 30 days gives the clearest picture
- 2Watch for hidden nightshades in spice blends and sauces
- 3Paprika and cayenne are nightshades often overlooked
- 4Sweet potatoes are NOT nightshades - they're safe
- 5Goji berries are nightshades
Pro tip: Keep a food diary to track your reactions. The Triggerbites app makes this easy with automatic pattern detection.
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Get the AppFAQ
Is tarragon high in Nightshades?
Nightshades: low signal for most people.
Can I still eat tarragon if I'm sensitive to Nightshades?
Usually fine in normal portions.
What else should I check?
Check Salicylates, Histamine Liberators, and Oxalates next for a fuller picture.