Tarragon herb or dragon wort is a very popular culinary herb used as flavouring 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.
Botanically, tarragon belongs to the family of Asteraceae of the genus Artemisia and known scientifically as Artemisia dracunculus. The herb is thought to be originated in Central Asia, probably in Siberia.
Russian tarragon (A. dracunculoides) is a more robust closely related species which is, however, quite inferior in flavour and hence less preferred in cooking.

This herb is small shrub featuring slim woody branching stems that reach up to a meter in height. Grows well in rich sandy soil with adequate sunlight. Its leaves are smooth, dark green with pointed ends.

Health benefits

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.

Tarragon has been used in traditional medicines for stimulating the appetite and as a remedy for anorexia symptoms.

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

Laboratory studies on tarragon extract shows certain compounds in them inhibit platelet activation, preventing platelet aggregation and adhesion to blood vessel wall.  Thus helps prevent clot formation inside narrow blood vessels of heart and brain protecting from heart attack and stroke.

The herb is very rich source of vitamins such as vitamin-C, vitamin-A as well as B-complex group of vitamins such as folates, pyridoxine, niacin, riboflavin, etc that function as anti-oxidant as well as co-factors in metabolism.

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

Medicinal uses of tarragon

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

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

Tarragon tea is used to cure insomnia.

Health benefits of Tarragon: Tarragon is actually a therapeutic herb noted for its numerous curing qualities, but did you know that the herb could also help flavour your favourite dish? Tarragon was utilized in the past to flavour food during occasions like feasts and weddings. Today, many people utilize it for culinary purposes nevertheless its therapeutic qualities are still well-known. It is considered to encourage hunger, deal with stomach cramping as well as enhance digestion of food, etc.

Toothache Remedy: All through history, tarragon have been traditionally used just as one aid for tooth pains. The ancient Greeks chewed it due to its capability to numb the mouth. This particular pain reducing effect is a result of the high levels of eugenol perfectly found on the plant. This is actually the same pain relieving ingredient found in clove oil. It has already been confirmed that tarragon may also help reduce the sore gums that usually occur together with tooth pains.

Appetite Stimulant: Based on numerous research, tarragon have chemicals that will help to improve appetites. Whether utilized as a seasoning herb in cooking or even ingested raw like a small garnish, it may help individuals who have poor appetites because of age or illness.

Digestive Aid: Tarragon is certainly utilized as a digestive tonic since it assists in the creation of bile by the liver. Not only will it improve natural digestion, however it has additionally been discovered to ease common digestive problems just like an upset stomach, irritable bowels and dyspepsia. It has recently been utilized in traditional folk remedies for clearing the bowels of intestinal worms.

Sedative: Tarragon can be used just as a mild sedative to relieve anxiety and stress. Additionally it is valuable in promoting an excellent night’s sleep.

Heart Health: Tarragon consists of chemicals that will help assist cardio health. These types of chemicals can help in keeping blood platelets along with other compounds from sticking and accumulating within the heart’s blood vessels.

Female Health: Tarragon has shown helpful as a supplement for ladies who are suffering from suppressed menstruation. It has recently been promoted as a means for sustaining the overall health of the female reproductive tract. However, it’s been discovered that tarragon shouldn’t be utilized for these reasons during pregnancy or even nursing.

Eye Function: Because it’s abundant with potassium and also the Vitamin A precursor beta carotene, tarragon can help in the overall health and function of the eyes.

Treats Tooth & Gum Aches; Reduces Anxiety & Depression: Because of its germ killing qualities, you can use it to soothe tooth as well as gum aches. It normally retains the water needed by the body and enables to reduce the effects of anxiety as well as depression.

Building Muscle Mass/ Weight Control: Recent studies have demonstrated that tarragon, mainly the Russian variety, helps you to boost muscle creatine absorption. This really is just like the muscle creatine adsorption that happens when considerable amounts of carbohydrates are consumed. Since tarragon creates the same effect, consuming considerable amounts of carbohydrates is not essential to boost muscle mass. Likewise, this particular property of tarragon may also be developed for use within weight loss plans.

Deodorant: Tarragon is utilized to keep away the foul body odour through its hot and spicy smell. Additionally, it reduces the development of microbes onto the skin. Tarragon is additionally utilized in various deodorants like a major ingredient.

Toothache Remedy: Even in ancient times, tarragon was being utilized to get temporary relief towards toothache. In accordance with studies, the herb’s capability to relieve pain because of toothache is because of the eugenol substance it includes that may additionally be present in clove oil. Aside from reducing pain, it may also help alleviate sore gums.

Tarragon Prevent Oral Health Problems: Research discloses that tarragon consists of anti-oxidants which prevent the growth as well as development of bacteria in the mouth, which could result in oral health problems just like inflammation of the tongue, tooth decay as well as bleeding gums. It may be also utilized as an all-natural breathe freshener just like mint as well as parsley.

Tarragon Keeps Organs in Great Shape: Tarragon consists of higher amounts of potassium, an important mineral that can help maintain the wellness of vital organs just like the heart, liver and kidney in addition to keeps them extremely sensible.

Tarragon Maintains Ideal Blood Pressure Levels: There are phytochemicals in tarragon which are discovered to assist encourage ideal high blood pressure by getting rid of toxins as well as free-radicals that may develop into plaque within the bloodstream. These types of phytochemicals may also keep other significant health problems just like stroke, heart attack and also aneurysm under control.

Tarragon Keeps the Body Resilient to Diseases: Tarragon is packed with vitamin C, which will help the body enhance its immunity towards illnesses. Extremely, having adequate vitamin C within the body may also delay aging and also encourage faster tissue as well as cellular healing.

Tarragon Keeps Your Bones Strong: This particular herb is extremely, rich in calcium, with only a 100 gram serving that contains over a 100% of your DV of calcium. If you no longer consume dairy and you’re searching for a veggie option you are able to toss in your smoothies…tarragon is it.

Tarragon Gets Rid of Excess Body Water: Frequent use of tarragon assists the body shed additional water within the body that may result in bloating and similar health issues. Now while the results are still inconclusive, there are ongoing laboratory tests which aim to determine whether tarragon may be used to avoid and alleviate the effects of urinary tract infection.

Tarragon Relieves Stress: The essential oils of tarragon have got a calming effect to the mind and body whenever inhaled. They’re widely used in aromatherapy sessions as well as spa treatments.

Tarragon may help protect again cholera: Research from Ciudad Universitaria demonstrated that tarragon, sweet basil, as well as sage display active antibacterial activity against V. cholera.

Tarragon could help protect your brain: Research from the Pennington Biomedical Research Centre have revealed that tarragon might avoid relieved nerve conduction slowing and sensory neuropathy in mice fed a high-fat diet which causes weight problems, hyperglycaemia, as well as nerve conduction problems.

Detoxification: Tarragon is well-known because of its detoxification effects within the liver, which will help enhance digestion along with the removal of wastes and toxins through the body. Tarragon tea whenever taken in reasonable quantities might help in the detoxification of wastes. To prepare a cupful of tarragon tea, just pour tarragon in the cup and blend along with hot water.

Fights intestinal worms: Young children are usually susceptible to intestinal worms. Tarragon thus remains helpful at destroying these types of parasites. Just pour the leaves in boiling water and leave it for around 10 mins, strain the mix and drink it twice daily for healthy digestion.

Tarragon may fight against cancers: A 2005 study discovered that tarragon oil fights against free radical damage to your cells, if the body is unable expose them efficiently as waste.

Combats fatigue: Besides having sedative effects, tarragon may also help fight fatigue. Furthermore, it may also behave as an alternative choice to salt with regards to reducing high blood pressure. However, tarragon tea shouldn’t in any way substitute medication.

Helps you get rid of bad breath: Tarragon is definitely the fountainhead of essential oils. Tarragon essential oil is utilized like a garnishing agent on salads along with other delicacies. The predominant oils in tarragon are estragole, cineol, ocimene and phellandrene. A few drops of tarragon essential oil within your bath or even deodorant can rid you of bad breath, body odour as well as dangerous skin microbes.