Tarragon (Artemesia dracunculus L.) is a green herb commonly used in cooking and herbal remedies. Called the “King of the Herbs” by the French, you probably know tarragon best for its culinary use. Most people use this herb to provide flavor and aroma in cooking. However, some promote its medicinal purposes. Although research has investigated the potential health benefits of tarragon, the evidence is limited.
Many of the health studies were done on animals and not humans, so researchers cannot draw conclusions about its efficacy.
With that in mind, here are some ways tarragon could help with health maintenance.
What Is Tarragon?
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- Tarragon or Artemisia dracunculus has a long history of use as a spice and remedy. It’s a bushy aromatic herb of the Asteraceae family, and the plant is believed to be native to Siberia.
- Two common forms include Russian and French tarragon. French tarragon is cultivated in Europe (mainly France and Spain) and North America.
- The leaves are bright green with a flavor most similar to anise. In case you’re not familiar with anise, it has a licorice-like taste. This herb contains 0.3 percent to 1.0 percent essential oil, the principal component of which is methyl chavicol.
Tarragon Interesting Facts
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- Tarragon has been and continues to be used in many cultures both in the east and the west for food and medicine.
- The fresh leaves are sometimes used in salads and to infuse vinegar. The latin name, Artemisia dracunculus, actually means “little dragon.”
- This is mainly due to the spiny root structure of the plant.
- The volatile oil from this herb is chemically identical to anise, which is why the flavors are so close.
The herb has been used for generations to treat various ailments by a wide range of peoples from indigenous Indians to medieval doctors.
Health Benefits
1. Improved Digestion
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- The oils in tarragon trigger the body’s natural digestive juices, making it an excellent digestive aid not only as an aperitif (which helps spark the appetite), but also to digest food properly.
- It can assist the digestive process from beginning to end, starting with saliva excretion in the mouth to production of gastric juices in the stomach to peristaltic motion in the intestines.
- Results showed these herbs “contribute to the intake of bioaccessible carotenoids,” which in turn improves digestive health.
2. Better Sleep
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- Tarragon might help with sleep issues like insomnia. Some herbalists suggest having tarragon tea before you hit the hay to calm the nervous system and encourage a restful sleep.
- If taken at bedtime, a tea made from one teaspoon of the fresh leaves to one cup of hot water could help you get a better night’s sleep.
- The French have traditionally used tarragon tea as a remedy for insomnia, and even WebMD mention its use to promote sleep.
3. Encourages Menstruation
Some women who have suppressed menstruation find tarragon to be helpful. It’s promoted by herbalists to encourage menstruation and help maintain the overall health of the female reproductive tract.
There is no scientific research to back up this claim, but to be on the safe side, don’t overdo it on tarragon or take it in supplement form if you’re pregnant or nursing.
However, thyme, a similar herb, has recently been found to relieve period cramps and promote menstruation. Since tarragon has many of the same effects, it may show why herbalists have used it for menstruation purposes.
4. Toothache Remedy
Throughout history, traditional herbal medicine has utilized fresh tarragon leaves as a home remedy for toothache relief. The ancient Greeks are said to have chewed the leaves to numb the mouth. Research indicates that this pain-relieving effect is due to the high levels of eugenol, a naturally occurring anesthetic chemical, found in the plant.
Clove oil, another popular natural toothache remedy, also contains the same pain-relieving eugenol. Tarragon can also help decrease the sore gums that often accompany toothaches.
5. Fights Bacteria
Two types of bacteria that are both very well-known and very dangerous are Staphylococcus aureus (the cause of Staph infection) and Escherichia coli (E.coli).
Boils, impetigo, food poisoning, cellulitis and toxic shock syndrome are all examples of diseases that can be caused by Staphylococcus bacteria. Some kinds of E. coli can cause diarrhea, while others cause urinary tract infections, respiratory illness and pneumonia, and other illnesses.
The essential oil of tarragon has proven antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Not only can tarragon essential oil kill dangerous bacteria, but this ability also makes it an excellent choice as a natural preservative, especially in cheese.
6. Reduces Blood Sugar
Research implies that tarragon extract can help to reduce blood sugar levels in animals and people with insulin sensitivity. Tarragon was consumed before meals, participants displayed significant reductions in total insulin secretion, helping to normalize their blood sugar levels.
How to Use
It’s best to use tarragon fresh and in whole leaves. You should look for sprigs with bright, green leaves.
Wrap it in a loose, damp paper towel, and place it in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. It can last for several days this way.
To chop fresh tarragon, start by holding the stem at the tip with your fingers and sliding your fingers gently down the stem toward the base to remove leaves. Next, discard the stem and chop the leaves.
The dried version is an option too and easily available, but it’s less flavorful than fresh.
You also dry or freeze fresh leaves for later use. Dry the leaves and store them in an airtight container in a cool dry place.
If you want to go the freezer route, wash and dry it, and then place the leaves in freezer bags or in ice cube trays with a little water. Frozen tarragon can keep for a months.
Tarragon taste is similar to anise; it has a delicate, sweet flavor. For this reason, it pairs well in cooking with eggs, seafood, chicken, lamb and veal. It often doesn’t mix well with other flavors besides lemon, which is why it’s normally the standout ingredient in a dish or marinade.
Tarragon uses includes being added to enhance many sauces, like mayonnaise and Béarnaise sauce. It’s one of the four fines herbes in French fine cooking and is incorporated in many French dishes. You can also make tarragon vinegar for dressings by lightly bruising fresh leaves and steeping the leaves in a neutral white vinegar.
The two prominent varieties are French and Russian. French tarragon is best used for cooking. The seeds of the French version are actually sterile, so it’s propagated with root splicing. Russian tarragon is much weaker in flavor, but easier to grow and heartier in the soil with fertile seeds.
You can also use it as a supplement in various forms, including capsule, powder, tincture or tea.
Need some ideas for tarragon recipes? Try one or all of these delicious recipes that include this delicious herb:
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- Pear Salad with Sautéed Spinach Recipe
- Zesty Turkey Salad with Beans and Walnuts Recipe
- Honey Mustard Dressing Recipe
- If you’re looking for a tarragon substitute, try aniseed, dried dill, marjoram or oregano.
Tarragon is an amazing herb that has been used for a millennia for cooking and healing. Its delicate, sweet flavor entices many in the culinary arts and can add a subtle anise flavor to your dishes when used fresh.
The “little dragon” definitely gives us good reason to embrace its interesting flavor and start adding it to our gardens and weekly grocery lists!