Tarragon

French tarragon herb, also known as dragon wort, is a very popular culinary herb used as flavoring agent, especially in the mediterranean cuisines. This aromatic perennial growing herb is rich in phytonutrients as well antioxidants that help promote health and prevent diseases. The parts of the tarragon plant that grow above the ground are used to make medicine.

This exquisite herb is rich in numerous health benefiting phyto-nutrients that are indispensable for optimum health.

The main essential oils in tarragon are estragole (methyl chavicol), cineol, ocimene and phellandrene.

Traditionally, tarragon has been employed as a traditional remedy to stimulate appetite and alleviate anorexic symptoms.

A teaspoon of ground tarragon supplies 0.52 milligram of iron, which doesn't sound like a lot, but is an impressive dose for such a small amount of food. That 0.52 milligram is about 6 percent of the 8 milligrams of iron men need each day and about 3 percent of the 18 milligrams women should have as part of their daily diet.

Iron helps your body make red blood cells, which are, in turn, responsible for moving oxygen around in your body, according to the university of maryland medical center.

Scientific studies suggest that poly-phenolic compounds in this herb help lower blood-sugar levels.

Fresh tarragon herb is one of the highest antioxidant value food sources among the common herbs.

Its total measured orac (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) value is 15,542 trolex equivalents (te) per 100 g.

The herb is very rich source of vitamins such as vitamin-c, vitamin-a, potassium as well as b-complex group of vitamins such as folates, pyridoxine, niacin, riboflavin, etc., regular consumption of tarragon improves eye health, and function as antioxidant as well as co-factors for enzymes in the metabolism.

Tarragon may also be deployed to cure insomnia.

It helps relax the nerves and also regulates the circulatory system.

It helps cure restlessness and may be used to induce sound sleep.

Laboratory studies on tarragon extract shows certain compounds in them inhibit platelet activation, preventing platelet aggregation and adhesion to the blood vessel wall.

It, thus, helps prevent clot formation inside tiny blood vessels of heart and brain protecting from heart attack, and stroke.

Drinking a cup of tarragon tea before bed can cure insomnia.

Tarragon is a notably excellent source of minerals like calcium, manganese, iron, magnesium, copper, potassium, and zinc.

Manganese is utilized by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase.

Iron is essential for cellular respiration (co-factors for cytochrome-oxidase enzyme) and blood cell production.

Zinc helps in protein synthesis, thereby regulating the formation of cellular structures of the body.

Tarragon herb has been used in various traditional medicines for stimulating the appetite and as a remedy for anorexia, dyspepsia, flatulence, and hiccups.

Tarragon also promotes the production of bile by the liver, which aids in digestion and helps to speed the process of eliminating toxic waste in the body.

To make tea for digestion, steep a handful of dried leaves in a jar with apple cider vinegar, stand 7 hours, strain and seal.

Take 1 tbsp before each meal.

Tarragon can also be substituted for salt for people with high blood pressure.

Tarragon regulates blood circulation, thereby leading to proper distribution of nutrients and oxygen in the body.

Another health benefit of tarragon is its ability to curb the growth and proliferation of microbes under the skin.

This may be attributed to its spicy smell and chemical composition.

As such, it may be used as a deodorant, it has ability to regulate menstrual cycle, and alleviate pre-menstrual symptoms (pms), serving as a powerful emmenagogue.

Tarragon's thyroid gland, attributed to its rich copper content.

It helps protect the nervous system by preserving the myelin sheaths of nerves.

Tarragon inhibits the activation of blood platelets, preventing the aggregation and clinging of platelets on the walls of blood vessels, thereby preventing heart attack and stroke; and its formation of blood pigment called hemoglobin and as such, prevents deficiency of red blood cells or anemia.

The polyphenolic compounds present in tarragon are responsible for lowering blood sugar levels naturally and by eating tarragon regularly can prevent platelet adhesion and aggregation.

This reduces the risk of clot formation, heart attack and strokes.

Tarragon promotes cholesterol metabolism by promoting the secretion of essential digestion co-factors, attributed to its manganese content.

As such, tarragon prevents the susceptibility of arteriosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases.

Tarragon has proven useful as a supplement for women who suffer from suppressed menstruation.

It has also been promoted as a means for maintaining the overall health of the female reproductive tract.

However, it has been found that tarragon should not be used for these reasons while pregnant or nursing.

Tarragon lend it to being used as a natural deodorant.

It prevents bad body odor and reduces the growth of microbes on the skin.

Tarragon is often used as an ingredient in commercially prepared deodorants as well.

By applyibg tarragon to external cuts and wounds it can prevent septic infections.

Tarragon also helps remove toxins from the body, detoxifying the body.

This helps prevent the formation and growth of oncogens or cancer cells, thereby preventing the grave affliction.

Being a detoxifying agent, tarragon helps reduce the pace of aging.

It helps prevent visible signs of aging like wrinkles, fine lines, patchy skin and dark spots.

This substance helps prevent and cure rheumatic arthritis by removing toxins from the body and promoting blood circulation in the body, including lymph.

This essential oil stimulates the secretion of digestive juices into the stomach, which increases appetite.

This starts right from the mouth, where the production of saliva is stimulated.

Down below, gastric juices and bile are secreted into the stomach, which speeds up digestion of the food that is already present, if any, in the stomach.

This helps to empty the stomach, which then increases appetite.

The essential oil of tarragon improves the circulation of blood and lymph and helps in the proper distribution of nutrients, oxygen, hormones, and enzymes throughout the body.

Furthermore, it does not let toxins accumulate at particular places, such as the joints.

This oil speeds up digestion by stimulating the secretion of digestive juices (gastric juices such as acids and bile) into the stomach, which helps break down food into various nutrients and stimulates peristaltic motion in the intestines.

This facilitates the motion of food through the whole digestive system.

Tarragon also promotes the production of bile by the liver, which aids in digestion and helps to speed the process of eliminating toxic waste in the body.

Tarragon can also be substituted for salt for people with high blood pressure.

Not only can it improve natural digestion, but it has also been found to relieve common digestive problems like an upset stomach, irritable bowels and dyspepsia.

It has also been used in traditional folk remedies for ridding the bowels of intestinal worms.

Tarragon is extremely valuable in removing intestinal worms.

To prepare tea, take one quart of boiling water and one ounce of tarragon leaves, pour water over leaves and let stand for ten minutes, strain and drink two cups in the morning and refrigerate the remaining.

It is recommended to drink at least four cups per day, once in the morning and in the evening.

The spicy smell of tarragon is used to keep body odour away.

It also inhibits the growth of microbes on the skin, which further reduces body odour.

This essential oil eases menstruation, clears obstructions in menses, and regulates periods.

Furthermore, it also gives relief from the problems like abdominal pain, nausea, fatigue, and annoyance.

It stimulates the brain, nervous, digestive, circulatory, and endocrinal systems.

This means that it stimulates the whole metabolic system and as a result, growth and immunity are stimulated.

The toxicity of this oil kills any worms in the body.

These include roundworms and tapeworms that are found in the intestines, hookworms that can live in any part of the body, and even maggots on wounds.

It is alright to use this essential oil externally, but extreme care should be taken when taking it orally, since it is a toxic substance.

By eradicating round worms and tape worms from the intestines, thereby preventing digestive ailments.

It helps prevent the loss of nutrients from the body, thereby maintaining the overall physiology.

Tarragon, especially the turkish variety, has antioxidant properties that can help neutralize the actions of free radicals throughout the body.

Free radicals, which are a byproduct of metabolism, have been proven to damage cells unless they are quickly expelled as waste.

Studies have found that tarragon oil works as a free radical scavenger to help stop or decrease the damage these radicals can cause.

The essential oil, eugenol in the herb has been in therapeutic use in dentistry as a local-anesthetic and antiseptic for toothache complaints.

Eugenol, an essential oil found in tarragon is used for its antiseptic and anesthetic properties in dentistry and to treat toothaches.

Chewing some dried or fresh tarragon leaves can numb a painful tooth as well.

Throughout history, tarragon has been widely used as an aid for toothaches.

The ancient greeks chewed it because of its ability to numb the mouth.

This pain relieving effect is due to the high levels of eugenol found in the plant.

This is the same pain relieving compound contained in clove oil.

It has also been proven that tarragon can also help decrease the sore gums that often occur along with toothaches.

The root of tarragon was used to cure toothaches, because of its ability to numb the mouth.

Chew a couple of fresh or dried leaves until it is a paste consistency and hold with tongue against sore tooth.

It will numb the painful area.

Based upon several studies, tarragon appears to have chemicals that can help to increase appetites.

Whether used as a seasoning herb in cooking or consumed raw as a small garnish, it may help people who have poor appetites due to age or illness.

Tarragon can be used as a mild sedative to help relieve anxiety and stress.

It is also beneficial in promoting a good night's sleep.

Because it is rich in potassium and the vitamin a precursor beta carotene, tarragon can assist in the overall health and function of the eyes.

Recent studies have shown that tarragon, primarily the russian variety, helps to increase muscle creatine absorption.

This is similar to the muscle creatine adsorption that occurs when large amounts of carbohydrates are ingested.

Since tarragon creates the same effect, consuming large amounts of carbohydrates is no longer necessary to increase muscle mass.

Similarly, this property of tarragon can also be developed for use in weight control programs.

Today, the medicinal benefits of tarragon can easily become a part of any diet whether it is in the form of pills, powders, teas, used as a seasoning or consumed raw.

The appropriate dosage will depend on several factors including age, overall health and other medical conditions.

Generally, the herb is added at the final moment to the recipes in small amounts in order to retain flavor and taste.

Fresh tarragon is used in green salad.

Fresh as well as dry leaves may be used as flavoring base (in marinate) to fish, lamb and poultry.

Tarragon herb is one of the main ingredients in french ba copyright arnaise sauce, a hot emulsified butter sauce made of clarified butter, egg yolks, shallot, chervil, peppercorn, and tarragon vinegar.

Furthermore, it is used as flavoring base in traditional christmas breads called, potica.

*tarragon should not be consumed during the pregnancy period as some of the chemical components of tarragon like methyl chavicol may adversely affect the health of the mother and the baby.

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