Tarragon

Artemisia dracunculus – the perennial herbaceous plant of family of Astrovye reaching up to 120-150 cm in height with thin, naked, branchy, yellowish-brown stalks. Leaves are lanceolate, 2-8 cm in length and 2-10 mm width, green color, glossy with the whole edges. Flowers small, round 2-4 mm in the diameter, yellow or chartreuse color. The fruit – a mericarp blossoms in the second half of summer.

Presumably the plant was delivered to Europe from Mongolia and Siberia at invasion of Mongols in the 13th century. The tarragon got to England in the 15th century, and from there was widespread to America. In Asia and Europe the tarragon is widely cultivated as a medicinal and spicy plant. The most widespread grades of a tarragon are the Tarragon French, Russian and Transcaucasian.

On chemical composition the tarragon (A wormwood tarragon or the Estragon) consists of 0,25-1% of essential oil, more hotly, pitches, coumarins, a gerniarin, isocoumarin, vitamin C, flavonoids, sterols, hydrocarbon, a tannin and protein. At the use the plant has fortifying effect, improves appetite and promotes digestion.

Useful properties of a tarragon

The fresh tarragon is a source of antioxidants, and scientific research shows that polyphenolic connections in this grass promote decrease in level of glucose in blood. It is possible to carry the phytonutrients which are its part which are necessary for maintenance of immunity of an organism to useful properties of a tarragon.

Laboratory researches of extract of a tarragon show, that some connections which are its part inhibit activation of thrombocytes, what prevents their aggregation and adhesion to walls of blood vessels that in turn excludes formation of clots in tiny blood vessels of heart and brain and is prevention of a heart attack and stroke.

The grass is a source of vitamins A, With and a complex of group of vitamins B such as folates, a pyridoxine, Niacinum and Riboflavinum which function as cofactors in metabolism.

It is also possible to refer availability in it of such minerals as calcium, manganese, iron, magnesium, copper, potassium and zinc to useful properties of a tarragon. Manganese is used by an organism as a cofactor for antioxidant enzyme of a superoxide scavenger. Iron is necessary for cellular respiration (a cofactor for cytochrome) and formations of blood cells.

Use of a tarragon

For preparation of medicines on the basis of a tarragon an upper part of a plant is used. Use of a tarragon in medicine is effective at treatment of a dentagra, a premenstrual syndrome, nausea, an infection of urinary tract, problems with digestion, small appetite and sleeplessness, a meteorism, a hiccups, dyspepsia and anorexia.

Essential oil of a tarragon is applied in stomatology as local antiseptic and anesthetic at a dentagra.

By results of a research of Brigham Young University in the USA it was proved that use of a tarragon is effective at an erosion of a neck of uterus and a carcinoma cutaneum.

In nonconventional medicine the tarragon is used at consolidation of walls of vessels and other vascular disorders.

In manufacturing industry the tarragon is used as fragrance by production of soap and cosmetics.

Use of a tarragon in cookery is especially widespread in France where the plant is the main component of sauce Bearnez and is a part of the majority of recipes on preparation of chicken, fish and eggs dishes. Fresh slightly crumpled branches of a tarragon add to vinegar for receiving juicy vinegar on a tarragon, also widely use a plant for preparation of salads, a pickles and marinades.

In such countries as Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia and, as a result, Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan the tarragon is used for aromatization of the popular Estragon soft drink which possesses the refreshing action and is painted in bright green color.

In Slovenia use of a tarragon in the form of spice is necessary for preparation of traditional sweet pie of Potits, and in Vegriya season with a tarragon chicken soup.

Tea on the basis of a tarragon is efficient means at treatment of sleeplessness.

Contraindications

Use of a tarragon in a small amount in food is absolutely safe and does not cause any complications in healthy people. However prolonged use of a tarragon can lead to formation of cancer tumors as it contains organic matter methyl chavicol.

Also a contraindication to a tarragon is the allergy to the plants belonging to family of a thistle family such as chrysanthemums, marigold, daisies and many others.

At cholelithiasis the tarragon is contraindicated to use as the plant has cholagogue effect which stimulates an exit of stones from a gall bladder. In the presence of big stones in a gall bladder the tarragon will promote their removal that will cause strong spasms and pain.

Pregnancy and the period of a lactation are a contraindication to a tarragon as contained in a plant туйон can cause loss of milk and lead to abortion.