Nutrition
This is why you should be using tarragon more often
Image by azerbaijan_stockers/Freepik
Nutrition
This is why you should be using tarragon more often
From treating illnesses to managing metabolism, tarragon is the super herb we can't get enough of.
Widely used as a culinary herb, medicine and fragrance, highly aromatic tarragon has a flavour similar to anise or licorice root. Popular in classic French cuisine, tarragon is the main flavouring component of Béarnaise sauce. It’s also the perfect complement to eggs, fish, roasted vegetables or chicken, salad dressing and sauces like pesto and aioli. Read on to learn why we’re craving this sweet, end-of-summer superfood.
THE BENEFITS
Ambrosial artemisia
Tarragon belongs to the genus Artemisia, which contains more than 500 wild species across Asia, Europe and North America, such as worm- wood and mugwort. Research into these healthful herbs is only growing. In 2015, scientists were awarded a Nobel Prize for discovering a highly effective treatment for malaria in Artemisia annua, or annual mugwort. Like tarragon, many members of this genus are used in traditional medicine to treat various illnesses and diseases.
Classical cure
Long touted as a folk remedy for pain relief, current studies suggest that tarragon has anti-inflammatory, anti- microbial and analgesic properties. The ancient Greeks are said to have chewed on tarragon leaves to relieve toothaches. Research indicates that the numbing properties are due to eugenol, an active ingredient found in oil extracted from cloves, but also present in tarragon. For those looking to try an alternative to prescription or over-the-counter painkillers, this herb may offer some relief.
Metabolic manager
Tarragon may help improve insulin sensitivity in those with impaired glucose tolerance, also known as pre- diabetes, which is a risk factor for the future development of diabetes. In one study, patients who received 1,000 mg of tarragon extract before breakfast and dinner experienced a decrease in total insulin secretion, which helped to keep blood sugar levels balanced throughout the day.
Beauty Notes
Soothe your body and mind with tarragon's fresh herbal aroma:
Moodgie Grapefruit and Tarragon Diffuser, $40
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