Tarragon (tarragon): beneficial properties. Video
Tarragon (tarragon) is an aromatic herb, one of the classic ingredients of French cuisine, it is no less popular in the cooking of other nations. This perennial plant is known enough as a spicy aromatic herb, but not many are familiar with its unique healing qualities, known since ancient times.
Tarragon is a perennial plant native to most of the Northern Hemisphere, including Europe, Asia, India, western North America, and Mexico. The cultivated aromatic herb is divided into two main unofficial types, which can be distinguished even from the photo. These are French tarragon, with smooth dark green leaves with a peculiar tart aroma, derived from Mediterranean plants, and Russian tarragon, with paler and rare greens, devoid of the astringency of a foreign counterpart, whose native land is harsh Siberia. French tarragon is more suitable for culinary purposes, as its taste is more pronounced, but Russian tarragon is much easier to grow.
Tarragon was first mentioned in written sources dating back to 500 BC.
Tarragon was known to the ancient Greeks, they used it not only in cooking, but also as a medicine for toothache. Modern research has proven that one of the constituents of the spice is eugenol, a powerful anesthetic and pain reliever. In Latin, the plant was called Artemisia dracunculus (dragon of Artemis), which gave the herb the French name Esdragon (little dragon), which was transformed after borrowing into the Russian name for the spice. In medieval Europe, tarragon was believed to be able to heal snake bites. Healers attributed this ability to the plant due to the shape of its roots, similar to snakes twisted into a ball. Continuing the chain that was logical for that time, the doctors decided that the herb would also be effective against the bites of rabid dogs.
Arab healers used tarragon as a remedy for halitosis, anemia, and a digestive aid. They also believed that the herb would be effective against snake bites, and they also called it a little dragon, which in Arabic sounded like “tarragon”. So both Russian borrowed names of the spicy plant have the same underlying reason.
Tarragon owes its wide popularity in medieval European medicine to the campaigns of conquest. At first, the herb was brought to Italy in the XNUMXth century by the Mongols who invaded its territory, who traditionally considered tarragon to be an excellent means for freshening the breath, and also used it as a sleeping pill. From there, tarragon was brought to France, where they began to put it in salads, sauces, pies, rzulets, insisted on vinegar and were also treated with tarragon. The plant came to England with the knights returning from the Crusades. By the XNUMXth century, all of Europe was treating intestinal disorders, nausea, flatulence, hiccups, rheumatism, gout, and toothache with tarragon.
Russian healers called tarragon dragoon grass and treated her eczema, scabies, and burns. They attributed tarragon and a number of mystical properties. In traditional Indian medicine – Ayuverde – tarragon was used to treat hyperactivity, loss of appetite, digestive problems and insomnia. In China, tarragon has found application for gout, arthritis, sciatica, arrhythmias and various parasitic infections. It was also believed that tarragon helps relieve premenstrual pain, fights fatigue and anxiety.
Tarragon in modern alternative medicine
Modern research has confirmed that tarragon contains vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that are beneficial to health. Tarragon has antioxidant properties that neutralize free radicals. It contains a number of substances that stimulate appetite, in addition, the spice promotes the production of bile in the liver. Tarragon not only improves digestion, but also treats indigestion, intestinal irritation and dyspepsia. Tarragon is effective as an anthelmintic; it can be used for these purposes even for the treatment of children.
Recent experiments have shown that tarragon, primarily Russian, helps to increase the absorption of creatine. This property is beneficial for athletes who are building muscle mass, as tarragon has the same effect as consuming a large amount of carbohydrates.
Tarragon has been shown to be a mild sedative to relieve stress and combat insomnia.
Tarragon leaves and roots are used for medicinal purposes
Like fennel, tarragon can be used to relieve stomach cramps, indigestion, colic and flatulence in infants. And together with fennel, tarragon can help cope with depression.
As a medicine, tarragon is used in the following forms:
- teas
- infusions
- essential oil
- fresh leaf paste
Tarragon is a member of the Compositae family. If you are allergic to other plants in this family, such as chamomile or calendula, you should be careful when adding tarragon to your diet, both as a spice and as a medicine. You should not use tarragon if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
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