Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) is an aromatic herb that can be easily grown in the backyard. The herb boasts of a host of health benefits, including aiding heart health, maintaining blood sugar level, inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, improving the nervous system, preventing anemia, averting platelet aggregation, improving blood circulation, promoting healthy eyes, lowering inflammation, improving digestion, and supporting female reproductive health.
The fresh leaves of the tarragon herb are commonly used in preparing green salads while the dried leaves are used as a flavoring base in marinating lamb, poultry, and fish in a number of cuisines. In fact, tarragon has a significant amount of amazing nutrients and minerals such as vitamin A and C, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, protein, riboflavin, niacin, magnesium, calcium, potassium, manganese, and iron.
Let’s talk about how tarragon combats various diseases.
Keeps the Heart Healthy
Tarragon leaves are very rich in potassium, making the herb essential for the proper functioning of the heart, liver, and kidneys. The leaves are also for their anti-inflammatory properties that protect the heart vessels against any form of damage. The potassium contained in tarragon also helps in controlling heart contraction.
Improves Female Reproductive Health
Tarragon is effective for women dealing with suppressed menstruation and provides other health benefits for maintaining a healthy female reproductive system. The herb contains eugenol which helps in alleviating tooth-ache and significantly reducing menstrual pains. The herb also has magnesium which helps in relaxing the muscles. However, tarragon is not safe for pregnant mothers and nursing women.
Promotes Blood Circulation
Tarragon extract is believed to contain compounds that prevent the activation of platelets which, in turn, inhibits platelet aggregation to the walls of blood vessels. Consequently, this helps prevent clots in the brain and heart vessels and so averts stroke or heart attack. The iron contained in the herb is vital for the production of blood cell and cellular respiration. Tarragon also supports a healthy blood circulation in the body. It distributes antioxidants, nutrients, and oxygen throughout the body to maintain good health.
Regulates Blood Sugar Level
To keep a person’s blood sugar level balanced, the body needs to have the calories consumed well-distributed. Thankfully, tarragon leaves are high in dietary fibers and poly-phenolic compounds that help to evenly distribute calories into every organ in the body. This helps to can lower the blood sugar levels, especially in diabetic individuals.
Prevents Anemia
Iron is present in tarragon leaves and aids the production of red blood cells containing hemoglobin. The herb is also rich in vitamin C which facilitates the absorption of iron in the body. It’s, therefore, no surprise that the herb is used to prevent blood-related health issues like anemia.
Improves Oral Health
Tarragon can serve as both an antiseptic and anesthetic component for treating oral issues such as fragile gums, loosening of teeth, and cavities. In fact, the eugenol present in tarragon leaves is an essential oil that relieves pain. Eugenol can be used to treat the symptoms of toothaches, including sore gums. You can chew tarragon leaves to provide some relief for a toothache or drinking it as herbal tea to get the same effect.
Prevents the Growth of Cancer Cells
Tarragon leaves have high antioxidants content that helps to combat free radicals in the body. These antioxidants fight diseases such as cancer in the body. The herb does not only inhibit cancer cell growth; it protects the body against so many other chronic diseases.
Supports a Healthy Central Nervous System
Tarragon contains vitamin B6 which plays an essential part in maintaining a healthy central nervous system. This vitamin improves cognitive function and consuming the tarragon herb helps keep dementia at bay. Dementia is a health condition characterized by a decline in memory due to aging. Luckily, tarragon contains vitamin B12 which supports neurological function by protecting the neurons against damage. Additionally, the vitamin helps in decreasing neuropathic symptoms such as tingling and numbness. As a matter of fact, the leaves contain a sedative effect that helps relieve anxiety and ensure a good night’s sleep.
However, you should consult with your doctor before taking tarragon for any serious health problem.
Protects Intestinal Mucosa
Tarragon is also effective in alleviating situations where the intestinal mucosa is damaged. In cases like that, the zinc present in tarragon aids the process of repairing the internal intestinal walls.
Reduces Inflammation
The high antioxidants content in fresh tarragon helps to reduce the most of the symptoms of inflammation, including redness and swelling at the inflammation spot. And since it also contains omega-3 fatty acid, the herb also has an anti-inflammatory effect.
Improves Digestion
Tarragon leaves help to stimulate the secretion of bile in the liver and so aids digestion naturally. Doing this also supports the body to inhibit digestive problems such as indigestion, bloating, stomach upset, and irritable bowel syndrome. The herb is also a rich in vitamin A, vitamin B-complex, vitamin C, pyridoxine, folates, riboflavin, niacin—which all help to aid metabolism.
Tarragon also improves appetite for food by stimulating the stomach. That is not even all—it is used as a traditional remedy for treating symptoms of hiccups, flatulence, anorexia, and dyspepsia. The dietary fiber contained in tarragon leaves helps to cure constipation. The fiber in the herb also digests the food to facilitate the removal of waste from the body. The leaves are also a natural diuretic for controlling water balance in the body.
Improve Eye Health
Tarragon is rich in Vitamin A which is effective in keeping the eyes healthy. It does this by improving visual acuity and preventing the development of cataract or any other degenerative eye problems.
Maintains Healthy Bone and Muscle Growth
Tarragon oil is highly beneficial in enhancing blood circulation in the body and found eliminating uric acid, a toxin bad for the body. Consequently, the herb lowers the risk of suffering from certain illnesses such as rheumatism and arthritis. The phosphorous and calcium and in the leaves are also essential for strengthening the bone and bone formation. It stimulates the absorption of creatinine in the body to increase muscle mass and promote muscle growth. In fact, the magnesium in tarragon leaves can relax the muscle and prevent muscle cramps.
The Bottom Line
Of course, tarragon contains a number of amazing health benefits but it may result in skin irritation in some people. Also, pregnant women and nursing mothers should consult their doctor before using tarragon oil.
