Tarragon herb or dragon wort, non-flowering herb, famous as one of the French fines herbs blend, along with Chervil, Parsley and Thyme, is very popular culinary herb used as flavoring agent in Europe, especially in the Mediterranean cuisines. It has a wonderful fragrance, and is a very easy disease free grower. Tarragon has a sort of liquorice flavour, that is particularly good with fish, but can also be added in small amounts to fresh salads. It is the secret ingredient in Remoulade, Tartar, Bernaise Sauces and French Dressing. Add Tarragon during that last 15 minutes of cooking time, as it can turn bitter when cooked too long.
Tarragon is a very fine leaf that doesn't lend itself to drying. To preserve Tarragon through the winter, place sprigs in a small plastic snack bag, press out the air and freeze, (make sure you label), and you will have that lovely deep green fragrant herb throughout the cold season.
Tarragon isn't an especially medicinal herb, it is a pleasant after dinner digestive tea with a little honey and lemon. However, it does make a fantastic vinegar to splash on steamed veggies, or add a bit of zip to gravies and soups.
Russian tarragon (A. dracunculoides) is a more robust closely related species which is, however, quite inferior in flavor 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 of Tarragon herb
- 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 anesthetic and antiseptic for toothache complaints.
- Tarragon tea is used to cure insomnia.
| Principle | Nutrient Value | Percentage of RDA |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 295 Kcal | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 50.22 g | 38% |
| Protein | 22.77 g | 40% |
| Total Fat | 7.24 g | 24% |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber | 7.4 g | 19% |
| Vitamins | ||
| Folates | 274 mcg | 68.5% |
| Niacin | 8.950 mg | 56% |
| Pyridoxine | 2.410 mg | 185% |
| Riboflavin | 1.339 mg | 103% |
| Thiamin | 0.251 mg | 21% |
| Vitamin A | 4200 IU | 140% |
| Vitamin C | 50.0 mg | 83% |
| Electrolytes | ||
| Sodium | 62 mg | 4% |
| Potassium | 3020 mg | 64% |
| Minerals | ||
| Calcium | 1139 mg | 114% |
| Copper | 0.677 mg | 75% |
| Iron | 32.30mg | 403% |
| Magnesium | 347 mg | 87% |
| Manganese | 7.967 mg | 346% |
| Zinc | 3.90 mg | 35% |
Selection and storage
Tarragon leaves are available fresh during late spring and summer season. Growing tips gathered for fresh use. Oftentimes, the herb is grown in the backyard and fresh leaves are readily available for cooking. Leaves may be harvested at flowering time for drying slowly in gentle heat. Dried tarragon can be available in the herb stores year around.
Try to by buy fresh leaves whenever possible for better flavor and nutritional benefits. Look for the herb that is rich in fragrance. Avoid those with shriveled, discolored old stocks.
Once at home, wash the leaves in clean running water, pat dry with absorbent paper and store in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator for use in near future. Dried tarragon should be placed inside airtight container and stored in cool dark place where it will stay for up to six months.
Preparation and serving methods
Fresh tarragon herb should be washed before use in cooking. In general the herb is added in small amounts to recipes at the last moment in order to retain flavor and taste.
Culinary uses
Generally the herb is added at the last moment to recipes in small amounts in order to retain flavor and taste.
Here are some serving tips:
- Fresh tarragon is used in green salad.
- Its leaves used as flavoring base to fish, lamb and poultry.
- Tarragon herb is one of the main ingredients in French béarnaise sauce, a hot emulsified butter sauce made of clarified butter, egg yolks, shallot, chervil, peppercorn and tarragon vinegar.
- Also used as flavoring base in traditional Christmas breads called potica.
| -Tarragon vinegar - | |
| To make Tarragon vinegar, fill a widemouthed bottle with the freshly-gathered leaves, picked just before the herb flowers, on a dry day. Pick the leaves off the stalks and dry a little before the fire. Then place in a jar, cover with vinegar, allow to stand some hours, then strain through a flannel jelly bag and cork down in the bottles. The best white vinegar should be used. | |
Safety profile
- Tarragon essential oil, estragole, may cause skin irritation in some individuals.
- In addition, according to the "European commission scientific committee on food" estragole and its metabolite 1'-hydroxyestragole may induce hepatic tumor in laboratory animal. Therefore reductions in tarragon exposure and restrictions in use levels are thus recommended. (Medical disclaimer)
Summary Health Benefit: Diuretic, einmenagogue, hypnotic, stomachic. In Popular use tarragon serves to relieve digestive problems and catarrhal difficulties, as a diuretic to stimulate the action of the kidneys, and as an emmenagogue to promote the onset of menstruation. The tea stimulates the appetite, especially when it has been lost because of illness. Taking the tea before going to bed helps to overcome insomnia.
Read more:
http://kawarthaherbs.blogspot.com/2011/06/forgotten-herbs-ii-tarragon.html#ixzz1fOGC0oM7, http://www.herbies-herbs.com/pages/herbuses-6.html, http://www.anniesremedy.com/herb_detail291.php
