Tarragon is a popular kitchen seasoning, a plant that is included in various herbal mixtures, such as the famous Provençal herbs or the well-known French bouquet garní, and is used to flavor many different dishes, also in vegetarian cuisine. It is known by other names, such as dragoncillo or tarragonwhich is what it is called in English.

Tarragon: origin and characteristics

Originally from Persia, Türkiye and other surrounding countries, tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus L.) is grown in orchards, fields and nurseries, although less and less. The plant It is part of the large group of mugworts, very fragrant plants, which also include common mugwort, wormwood and Chinese mugwort.

Its leaves are divided into unequal, linear segments, and its flowers are grouped in dense spherical chapters, barely 3 mm in diameter.

Tarragon Properties

The leaves are used for tarragonwhether fresh or dried, and to a lesser extent the flowers. Is rich in essential oilwhich contains estragole, phellandrene, ocimene, myrcene and sabinene, among other volatile compounds. It also includes flavonoids (quercitin), coumarins, salicylic acid, vitamin C and mineral salts, especially potassium and sodium, fiber.

They are attributed digestive propertiescarminative, vitamin, remineralizing, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiseptic, anthelmintic, estrogenic, diuretic, detoxifying, vulnerary and healing.

What is tarragon used for?

As a digestive plant, tarragon is usually used in the following cases:

• For relieve indigestionabdominal pain, gas and flatulence.
• It can be used for reduce gastrointestinal spasms and general malaise.
• It has been tested as an antiseptic and antibiotic plant to treat bacterial infections that affect the digestive tractsuch as those caused by various bacterial strains such as Escherichia colithe most common, Listera, Helycobacter pylori and others, but its real effectiveness has yet to be confirmed.
• It is a herb widely used for combat bad breath and bad taste in the mouthnausea and the urge to vomit. In this sense, it has been recommended as a natural remedy to avoid vomiting after a surgical operation, although there is no scientific evidence of its effectiveness.
• Like other plants of the same genus, Artemisiais attributed the power to combat infestation by intestinal parasites such as pinworms or worms, including tapeworms, or by intestinal protozoa. Giardia intestinalis (giardiasis).

These are the uses of tarragon for women’s health:

• Estrogenic properties are attributed to it. It is intended to calm the spasmodic menstrual period painsthe different symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, such as muscle pain, back pain and headache, among others.
• It can be a natural help for mitigate some of the symptoms of menopausesuch as, again, muscle pain, back pain and headache, among others.
• As a diuretic plant, it is intended to treat overweight due to fluid retention.

Tarragon is also source of vitamin C and minerals:

• It is indicated as vitamin support for growth stages, for elderly people, to help overcome states of fatigue, weakness and lack of energy.
• In traditional remedies, it is included in natural formulas to prevent cardiovascular diseases. It is attributed a certain ability to thin the blood.

It is also a celebrated home remedy for mouth care:

• It is applied on gingivitis, mouth sores and as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory to relieve pain toothache in rinses and gargles.

For the skin, tarragon has been used in rural and traditional remedies to disinfect wounds and even as antidote for snake bite.

How to use tarragon

Tarragon can be used in different ways, both internally and externally:

• You can take the tarragon infusionusually mixed with other herbs, up to three glasses a day.
• You can also take the tarragon essential oil in capsulesalthough it is not easy to find.
• Externally, the tarragon infusion is used as a rinsegargles or in washes or compresses on skin conditions.
• He tarragon essential oil, externally, can be used in massage or scrubbingbut also with an inhaler or an ambient diffuser.
• The essential oil is also included in aromatherapy remedies.
• And, of course, tarragon can also be used for its properties, such as kitchen seasoning.

Tarragon infusion for intestinal parasites

This formula with tarragon and other plants is a traditional remedy that promotes the elimination of intestinal wormssuch as pinworms or tapeworms, or protozoa, such as lambliasis or giardiasis (Giardia intestinalis).

Ingredients:

Preparation:

1. We mix the herbs thoroughly (20 g per plant) and We separate 5 g of the mixture per glass water.
2. We boil it for 2 minutes and let it rest, covered, for about 10 minutes.

They are taken tthree cups a day, for a weekto repeat the treatment after two or three months.

Uses of tarragon in cooking

Tarragon is a celebrated condiment plant, of a somewhat aniseed flavor, strong and a little spicywhich is consumed fresh or dried to flavor a good number of dishes and stews in Mediterranean cuisine.

Combines well with rice, pasta and saladsand is used to make some sauces and dressings such as béarnaise sauce. It is integrated into the mixture of aromatic herbs such as the famous French bouquet garní or the so-called Provençal herbs. Examples of very common vegetarian dishes with tarragon are:

• Carrot pâté with tarragon
• Rice with mushrooms and tarragon
• Red risotto with tarragon
• Baked potatoes with Provençal herbs, with tarragon
• Pizza with tarragon mozzarella

Precautions and contraindications of tarragon

Tarragon is a generally safe plant. However, essential oil should not be consumed internally, especially during pregnancy and breastfeeding. And in any case it is necessary to adjust to the right doses, and never exceed them.

It should be avoided if you are waiting for a surgical operation, as it could present a certain blood thinning effect.

It should also be avoided if you are taking anticoagulant and antiplatelet medicationsor consult a cardiologist.

It should be noted that some people develop a allergic reaction by contact with plants of the genus sagebrush.

On the other hand, there is no guarantee that it is safe to take with an inhaler.