Tarragon: The herb that strengthens body and spirit! All the details!

The Estragon the Artemisia the Draconian, is a perennial aromatic herb, native to Eastern Europe and also called dragon (apparently because of the shape of its root).

It belongs to the family Asteraceae and scientifically it is known as Artemisia dracunculus sativa. It is a shrub whose height does not exceed 1.50 meters and thrives in fertile sandy soils, with suitable sunlight. Its leaves have a smooth, dark green surface with sharp edges and emit aromas and flavors similar to those of aniseed.

First cultivated around 600 years ago, it is thought to have been introduced to Italy in the 10th century by the Mongols, who used it as a relaxing sleep aid, breath freshener and as a spice.

Its varieties include:

French tarragon (considered the best for cooking)
Russian tarragon
Wild tarragon (used in special situations)
Tarragon selection and storage
The leaves of the herb are abundant in nature during the spring and autumn months. You can also grow it in your garden to use anytime in cooking.

The leaves are collected in flowering periods and dried slowly, either under sunlight or with gentle heat.

It is good to choose fresh leaves, which have a better taste and nutritional benefit. After obtaining the fresh leaves, wash well under running water, dry with absorbent paper and store in the refrigerator. Dried tarragon should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for 6 months.

Culinary uses
Add it to recipes as a garnish to your food and avoid boiling it to preserve its flavor and aroma.

Tips:
Fresh leaves are used in green salads
Fresh as well as dried leaves can be used as a flavoring in poultry and fish dishes.
It is one of the main ingredients of the French Bearnaise sauce, a hot sauce made from butter, egg yolk, onion, pepper, vinegar and tarragon.
Nutrients
One tablespoon of tarragon contains:

5 calories
0.9 grams of carbohydrates
0.4 grams of protein
0.1 grams of fat
0.1 grams of fiber
0.1 milligram of manganese
0.6 milligrams of iron
19.9 milligrams of calcium
6.1 milligrams of magnesium
52.8 milligrams of potassium
Benefits to the body
While many people are familiar with the culinary uses of tarragon, most are unaware of its medicinal properties.

The herb has been used by many cultures for thousands of years as a natural remedy for many ailments. In addition, it is a wonderful addition to any diet, as it is rich in vitamins, potassium and a host of nutrients that have been shown to provide health benefits.

More detail:

Antioxidant properties
Fresh tarragon is an herb with high antioxidant value.

Toothache relief
Since ancient times it has been widely used as a toothache aid due to its high methyl eugenol content. The Ancient Greeks chewed it because of its property of numbing the mouth.

Healthy digestive system
It helps the liver in the bile production process, improves natural digestion and relieves common problems such as irritable bowel syndrome and indigestion. It has also been used in alternative traditional treatments to get rid of intestinal worms.

Sedative
Tarragon can be used as a mild sedative to help relieve anxiety and stress. It is also beneficial in treating insomnia.

Healthy heart
Tarragon extract contains chemical compounds that help prevent clots from forming in the blood vessels of the heart and brain, thus protecting against heart attack and stroke.

Eye function
Because it is rich in potassium, vitamin A and carotene, tarragon can help with overall eye health.

Reducing sugar
Scientific studies show that the poly-phenolic compounds contained in the herb help reduce blood sugar levels.

Increase in muscle mass
Recent research has shown that tarragon (mainly the Russian variety) helps increase creatine absorption. Action similar to that seen when there is high carbohydrate consumption.

Rich in vitamins and minerals
Artemisia dracontia is an excellent source of vitamins, such as vitamin A, C as well as the group of vitamins of the B complex, such as folic acid, pyridoxine, niacin, riboflavin, etc., it also contains minerals, such as calcium, manganese, iron, magnesium, copper , potassium and zinc that act as antioxidants.

Precautions - contraindications
It is considered safe when taken for a short time. However, long-term medicinal use is not recommended because it contains enstragol, a chemical that can cause cancer.

Consumption by pregnant and lactating women is prohibited, as it could disrupt the menstrual cycle and endanger the pregnancy.

If consumed in excessive amounts, it slows down blood clotting.

Tarragon is an excellent herb that has been used for many years in cuisine and alternative medicine. The special taste, the special aroma, as well as the beneficial benefits it provides to our body, are good reasons to "embrace" the "little dragon" and add it to our gardens and daily diet.