Tarragon has only been cultivated for around 600 years. It is thought to have been brought to Italy around the tenth Century by invading Mongols who used it as a sleep aid, breath freshener and seasoning. It is believed St. Catherine, on a visit to Pope Clement VI, brought tarragon to France in the 14th century.
Where was the tarragon originated?
Siberia
The plant is believed to be native to Siberia. The French variety is cultivated in Europe, particularly France and Spain, and in North America. Tarragon leaves are bright green in colour, have a warm odour, and taste reminiscent of anise.
Why is it called tarragon?
The English word tarragon is a corruption of the French word estragon, or little dragon, derived from the Arabic tarkhun. Various folklore beliefs were that tarragon was good for treating the bites of venomous snakes, while others thought the name was due to the coiled serpent like roots of the plant.
What culture uses tarragon?
Tarragon is a popular herb most commonly used in French cuisine. Tarragon is an essential addition to recipes like béarnaise sauce, and is one of four ingredients in the French herb mixture fines herbes, which also includes chives, parsley, and chervil.
Does tarragon mean dragon?
Name. In Swedish and Dutch the plant is commonly known as dragon. The use of Dragon for the herb or plant in German is outdated. The species name, dracunculus, means “little dragon”, and the plant seems to be so named due to its coiled roots.
What is tarragon used for in medicine?
Tarragon is used for indigestion (dyspepsia), poor appetite, nausea and vomiting after surgery, toothache, sleep problems, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. In foods and beverages, tarragon is used as a culinary herb.
Does tarragon have any health benefits?
Tarragon has many impressive health benefits, including the potential to reduce blood sugar, inflammation and pain, while improving sleep, appetite and heart health. Not to mention, it’s versatile and can be added to a variety of foods — whether you use fresh or dried varieties.
How many types of tarragon are there?
There are two types of tarragon — Russian tarragon (Artemisia dracunculoides) and French tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus var. sativa), both in the Asteraceae (daisy) family.
What are the 3 varieties of tarragon?
The herb is characterized by its bright green, thin, glossy leaves and small greenish-yellow flowers. There are three varieties of Tarragon: Siberian or Russian Tarragon, Mexican Tarragon and French Tarragon.
Is tarragon safe for dogs?
As mentioned, tarragon is listed by the ASPCA as being poisonous for dogs, and that includes both fresh tarragon and dried tarragon. This is due to the presence of certain essential oils in tarragon. Ingesting these oils could lead to common symptoms such as vomiting, salivating a lot and diarrhea.
Is tarragon a insect repellent?
Tarragon Repels Insects
This tall growing herb that’s very useful in the kitchen, is also very useful in the garden, and in the war against pests. Tarragon repels almost all insects, so it’s a good plant to spread around the garden to keep pests away.
Is tarragon good for hair?
Enhances Hair Quality
Tarragon has been proven to boost the quality of one’s hair. Some styling product, natural shampoos, and conditioners contain the extracts of tarragon. It is mainly helpful for dry hair because it provides luster to the dry hair. Regular use of tarragon product makes the hair vibrant and healthy.
What are the side effects of tarragon?
Possible Side Effects of Tarragon
Tarragon can cause rashes, coughs, and irritation in the mouth in rare cases. In addition, there is some evidence that tarragon may even be toxic in the long term due to compounds like estragole and methyl eugenol.
Do Italians use tarragon?
Dragoncello, or as we know it, tarragon, is a herb more often associated with French cooking than Italian, but pops up in many recipes from Siena in Tuscany.
Can you eat tarragon flowers?
TARRAGON TEXAS
Small yellow flowers with flat petals that have a licorice flavour. Unlike the French and Russian tarragon, the flowers of this variety are edible and add a great little surprise in a salad.
What is tarragon tea used for?
Enthusiasts of herbal medicine suggest that drinking tarragon tea before sleeping can calm your nervous system, which leads to better sleep. It may even cure insomnia. Herbal medicine has also used tarragon to treat pain, including those from osteoarthritis.
Is tarragon good for your skin?
Ninth, Tarragon is also a source of antioxidants and other nutrients beneficial for healthy hair, skin, and nails.
Can you eat tarragon raw?
just like you would use any fresh herb. Tarragon does best when you use it raw, or add it at the end of cooking a recipe to retain its flavor; it isn’t meant for long cooking because it can become bitter.
Is tarragon good for toothache?
Tarragon may help provide relief from a toothache.
Several reports say the ancient Greeks discovered that chewing on tarragon leaves helped relieve tooth pain by providing numbing effects. This may be because tarragon is rich in eugenol, a natural anesthetic that is also present in clove oil.
Where is the best place to grow tarragon?
Tarragon needs a sunny, warm and sheltered position to do well and produce strongly flavoured leaves. French tarragon especially needs a well-drained soil, and grows particularly well in light, sandy soils that are low in nutrients.
Is tarragon a herb or spice?
Tarragon is a small, shrubby herb, Artemisia dracunculus, in the sunflower family. Two species are cultivated, Russian and French. Leaves of the French variety are glossier and more pungent. Most commercial Tarragon comes from dried leaves of the French Tarragon plant.