What Are The Health Benefits Of Tarragon?

What Are The Health Benefits Of Tarragon?

Tarragon is not as common in the United States as black pepper, the basil or oregano, but maybe it should be. The herb is slightly spicy and tastes similar to fennel, anise and licorice, according to Michael T. Murray and Joseph E. Pizzorno, authors of "The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods." Besides being quite tasty, tarragon supplies a small amount of iron and also has certain health benefits.

Good source of iron

One teaspoon of tarragon supplies 0.52 mg of iron, which does not seem to be much, but it is an impressive dose for such a small amount of food. Those 0, 52 milligrams provide 6% of the 8 milligrams of iron a man needs daily and about 3% of the 18 milligrams that a woman must have as part of her daily diet. Iron helps your body make red blood cells, which are, in turn, responsible for distributing oxygen around your body, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Additional Vitamins and Minerals

In addition to iron, tarragon provides many other vitamins and minerals. A dash of tarragon in your recipes will add a small amount of potassium, which promotes the normal functioning of the heart and muscles. The herb also supplies a small amount of calcium to the bones and vitamin A, an essential nutrient for eye health.

Protection benefits

Tarragon has been used for medicinal purposes in the past. The Yuma County Cooperative Extension notes that tarragon has been used as a numbing agent and as a treatment for snake bites, although there is no definitive proof that it is truly effective for those uses. Murray and Pizzorno indicate that tarragon may have antifungal and antimicrobial compounds, suggesting that it may be useful in the treatment of certain types of infections. They also point out that tarragon has compounds that also fight free radicals. Free radicals can cause damage to cells and increase the risk of health problems such as heart disease and cancer. The herb may also be effective in the treatment of diabetes because it helps regulate blood sugar levels, according to Murray and Pizzorno.

Buy, store and cook with tarragon

Dry tarragon is available in the spice section of supermarkets, but its fresh form is much harder to find. If you are able to locate fresh tarragon, look for twigs that have straight leaves that are not withered or yellow. You can also consider planting your own tarragon in a covered pot or in your garden. Store fresh tarragon in a plastic bag in the refrigerator and use it within a week to get its best taste and quality.Store the herb in vinegar as another way to preserve it - this method also infuses vinegar with an intense flavor. Add fresh or dried tarragon to grilled meat, stew, scrambled eggs or mixed vegetable salads. The herb also enhances the flavor of sauces, such as Dutch, as well as recipes for pasta and soups.

Video Tutorial: Tarragon Herbs Health Benefits.

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