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Tarragon benefits, a pain-soothing herb

In olden days, tarragon was mostly used for its medicinal properties, for example to treat snake bites or to soothe dental pain and interrupt hiccups. During Greek and Roman times, tarragon was involved in remedies to fend of the plague and cholera. Tarragon reached Europe during the Middle Ages thanks to the Crusades.It only started being used for its culinary value in the XVIth century. The prince of Wales, George the Vth, is said to have been cured thanks to tarragon. Every morning, French queen Marie-Antoinette drank 5 tarragon leaves steeped in boiling water with lemon juice. The Arabs considered tarragon to be a powerful aphrodisiac and would use it to prepare love potions.

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 Tarragon (Fr. Estragon) An iconic herb of the French Cuisine

There is very little words that could explain my unconditional love for tarragon. French Estragon Bien-sûr! Also known as “ king of herbs”, tarragon is an irreplaceable component of the famous French “Fines herbes” so appreciated in classic French Omelette. This easy to grow perennial herb has also many impressive health benefits, including the potential to reduce blood sugar, inflammation and pain, while improving sleep, appetite and heart health and it is so versatile that it can be added to a variety of foods, savoury or sweet or infused into vinegar for a classic Béarnaise sauce — whether you use fresh or dried varieties.

 The magic of tarragon by Vanessa Armstrong

Tarragon healing properties are numerous. In the Middle East, it was used as an aid for insomnia as well as an anaesthetic for toothache, sores to the skin and cuts. Its flavour was also beneficial as a breath freshener. The Chinese used tarragon to strengthen and protect the liver. It helped with skin inflammation, malaria, hepatitis and problems with the bowel. In Europe In the middle ages, it was used in the treatment of fevers, colds and digestive issues. The Latin name for Tarragon – Artemisia Dracunculus – means ‘little dragon’. It was believed that the plant could cure the bite of a dragon or at least a venomous reptile! The name also refers to the root system which curls around like a dragons tail. Artemisia is said to come from the Greek Goddess Artemis, known as Diana by the Romans, who was said to have given the herb to Chiron, the Centaur.

Articles of Interest

All hail tarragon, king of the herbs

Tarragon is a very good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B-6, riboflavin, folate, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium and manganese. It also provides niacin, phosphorous and copper. It is low in calories, has no cholesterol and virtually no sodium. Although used sparingly, tarragon can add a nutritional lift to your diet.

Artemisia dracunculus (Tarragon): A Review of Its Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology

A. dracunculus has been a frequent subject of research in the last few years, regarding both the chemistry and biological activity of extracts obtained from the herb and/or leaves, and the essential oil. Phytochemical tests have confirmed the presence of numerous flavonoid compounds, phenolic acids, coumarins and alkamides in the herb and leaves, as well as a very high variability of the chemical composition of the essential oil. Contemporary research on the biological activity of the above-mentioned raw materials has proven new findings in their activity–antibacterial, antifungal and antiprotozoal effects, as well as extremely valuable antioxidant, immunomodulatory and antineoplastic properties.

Benefits of Tarragon

Tarragon herb or dragon wort is a very popular culinary herb used as flavoring agent, especially in the Mediterranean cuisines. This aromatic perennial growing plant is rich in phytonutrients as well antioxidants that help promote health and prevent diseases.

Discover The Magic: Health Benefits Of Tarragon Oil

Tarragon oil also has many other health benefits including its use as a natural remedy for depression because of its uplifting properties.

Flavorful French Tarragon: The King of Herbs

Like many spices and herbs, this aromatic herb is rich in phytonutrients and antioxidants that contribute to good health and disease prevention – giving it a high rank on the ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) scale.

Food; In Memory Of Tarragon

Tarragon is as inseparable from French cuisine as French cuisine is inseparable from fines herbes, that classic aromatic mixture that the French use so promiscuously. A bearnaise sauce without tarragon, after all, is no bearnaise at all. And what noble salade would dare dress itself in less than a tarragon-infused vinegar? But for all its finesse in balancing disparate flavors, tarragon is no pushover. By nature, the herb can not compete with most of the boisterous herbs of the Mediterranean. However, it can refuse to accommodate them. And if you don't believe me, try combining tarragon with basil for a true culinary disaster.

French Tarragon

Tarragon is considered by the French to be the "King of Herbs." It is one of the five herbs in the classic French combination called "fines herbes," which you may have seen at you local grocery or in your cookbooks. There are two main types of tarragon grown as culinary herbs, French Tarragon and Russian Tarragon. The latter is less popular and said to be less flavorful, so most tarragon you'll find at your local greenhouse is the French variety. The remainder of this article will cover French Tarragon.

Herb of the Month: French Tarragon, the “Little Dragon” Herb

Tarragon, Artemisia dracunculus ‘Sativa’, is often called the “Little Dragon,” because the Latin meaning of dracunculus is “little dragon.” It received this name because of its slender, pointed leaves that are reminiscent of dragon tongues (Ekiert et al, 2021). It was also thought that the “serpentine root structure suggested little dragons” (Belsinger, 2014). In France, the herb is actually called “estragon” which means dragon.

Herbs for Health: Tarragon

Tarragon is a perennial hardy herb (of the sunflower family) which renews itself every year with fresh new growth. The abundance of soft leaves smell like liquorice when rubbed. Some people love it, others are repelled – a bit like the cabbage moths and other pests (a good reason to plant it in many places around your garden!) There are three tarragons – French, Russian and Mexican Tarragon. Of the three, French tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) has the more refined aroma and flavour and is better therefore for culinary use.

Is Tarragon Good for Health? Exploring the Benefits of This Aromatic Herb

Tarragon, a perennial herb belonging to the sunflower family, has been cherished not only for its culinary uses but also for its potential health benefits. Often referred to as the "king of herbs" by the French, tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) has a distinctive anise-like flavor that elevates dishes from chicken to fish, making it a favorite among chefs and home cooks alike. But beyond its gastronomic allure, many of us wonder:

Naturopathic Kitchen: The Health Benefits of Tarragon

More research needs to be done in order to confirm the positive outcomes of adding tarragon to your diet, but initial findings suggest that tarragon promotes a number of positive health effects. Tarragon has long been used in traditional folk medicine as a treatment for pain. Studies show that tarragon has analgesic properties, which helps with pain reduction.

Tarragon 101: Everything You Need to Know About This Herb

Though tarragon is used primarily as a seasoning, it has also been used for centuries as a medicinal herb. It is used most commonly to relieve digestive problems, colds and flu, and as a diuretic to stimulate the action of the kidneys. Women have also found it useful for treating menstrual discomfort. Tarragon is also noted for its use as a mild sedative for the treatment of insomnia.

Tarragon Toxicity?

So what have I taken away from all this? Well my family eats tarragon so rarely that it’s probably not going to change our intake at all, but if you’re a tarragon fanatic, I’d suggest moderating your intake and substituting another herb like a dash of fennel or anise seed, or chervil, all of which have a similar licorice-like tarragon taste. The only caveat I could find for chervil is that you probably shouldn’t pick it wild, as it bears a resemblance to an herb known all too well to Socrates (poison hemlock).

Tarragon treasure: a medical miracle

Several studies have shown that tarragon appears to have chemicals which work as an appetite stimulant. It has been long used as a digestive tonic because it aids in the production of bile by the liver. It not only improves digestion but also relieves stomach upsets, irritable bowels and dyspepsia. Tarragon leaves also work as a mild sedative to help relieve anxiety and stress and the oil is widely used in dentistry to numb the nerves. It has also been shown to support cardiovascular health and also assists in keeping blood platelets, clotting agents in the blood, in order. It is also used for building muscle mass and weight control.

Tarragon: King of herbs

Tarragon has an aromatic property reminiscent of anise, due to the presence of estragole, a known carcinogen and teratogen in mice. The European Union investigation revealed that the danger of estragole is minimal even at 1001,000 times the typical consumption seen in humans. Estragole concentration in fresh tarragon leaves is about 2900 mg/kg. Tarragon is one of the four fines herbes of French cooking, and is particularly suitable for chicken, fish and egg dishes. Tarragon is the main flavoring component of Béarnaise sauce. Fresh, lightly bruised sprigs of tarragon are steeped in vinegar to produce tarragon vinegar.

The Healing Power of Tarragon

Who hasn’t heard of tarragon – aromatic culinary herb that is mostly used for baking sweets. The most common use of it in Slovenia is as a filling for potica, which is a traditional Slovenian pastry. Not a lot of people are aware of its healing properties and the use of it in tea mixtures or as a dietary supplement. It contains a lot of vitamins, potassium and other nutrients that have a proven positive effect on our health. There are two different varieties of tarragon: French and Russian (or Siberian).

The Sexual Health Benefits of Tarragon – It’s an Aphrodisiac

Tarragon is a member of the sunflower family. It is believed to have first been used for culinary purposes by the Arabs in the 13th century. And according to Nature and Garden, this was also the culture to first embrace tarragon as an aphrodisiac, using the herb as an ingredient in love potions. The ancient Greeks also had an interest in tarragon as more than a flavoring. Pliny the Elder is said to have used it as a treatment for fatigue. (I’m not clear whether this includes sexual fatigue or just as a use to give weary soldiers vigor. But I think we can all agree that fatigue is one of the greatest enemies of libido.) As the herb spread across Europe, it acquired additional uses. At some point it was used as an aid to digestion, a treatment for nausea, gout, flatulence, arthritis, a toothache pain reliever, to produce body heat and even as a treatment for rabies. Tarragon was also used to stimulate appetite – perhaps more than one kind of appetite!

This Herb Deserves Your Attention

Lacking the sun-drenched allure of basil and the practical ubiquity of parsley, tarragon will never win any herbal popularity contests in the United States. It’s not that we don’t like its earthy, licorice flavor. It’s just that most of us don’t think to use it, at least not to the degree that cooks in Europe do. This is especially true in France, where tarragon is everywhere: simmered into soups, steeped in vinegars and mustards, strewed on fish, tossed with salads of soft lettuces.

Why the French Call Tarragon “King of Herbs"

Several reports say the ancient Greeks discovered that chewing on tarragon leaves helped relieve tooth pain by providing numbing effects. This may be because tarragon is rich in eugenol, a natural anesthetic that is also present in clove oil. Eugenol may help fight inflammation, which explains why it would be a good painkiller. Eugenol also has antibacterial properties. If you are experiencing tooth pain, you might discuss with your doctor whether there are any downsides to adding a few drops of tarragon essential oil to a glass of water and gargling with it. An added bonus is it may freshen your breath.

Resources

Roots of Medicine

French Tarragon, an aromatic perennial plant from the Asteraceae family, provides an anise-like flavor to foods and has been used for centuries in the daily diet in many Middle Eastern countries (Durić et al., 2015). While there is insufficient evidence to support the medicinal effectiveness of the herb, it is used for digestive disorders and toothache, to promote menstruation, and as a diuretic, appetite stimulant, and hypnotic (Therapeutic Research Center, 2022). In folk medicine and in experimental studies, French Tarragon is believed to be beneficial in gastrointestinal tract function and diuretic action .