Amazing Benefits Tarragon Herbs

Tarragon is a relative to the Sunflower family and there are two different breeds of Tarragon, Russian and French. However, when you go shopping and pick up some Tarragon for your pantry or a favorite recipe it is almost guaranteed that you have just selected the dried leaves of the Tarragon plant because that is what is most often used and sold for commercial purposes.

Tarragon has a somewhat bittersweet flavor to it, almost resembling anise with that hint of licorice flavor to it. Tarragon does not have a long history behind it like most of the other herbs as it was not brought into the Unites States until the 19th century. It does have some mention about being used in England much before that time though. Traditionally, Tarragon is used to flavor such things as vinegar, relishes, pickles, mustard, and other various sauces.

The word Tarragon is derived from the French word which means "little dragon." There are two beliefs about how this nickname came about; one is because back in early times it was thought that Tarragon had the ability to cure venomous snake bites. Other thought it got this name because of the distinct roots that the Tarragon plant has that quite clearly resemble that of a serpent.

However, sometime as early as the 13th century Tarragon became widely used for seasoning vegetables, inducing sleep, and as a breath freshener. Not until the 16th century did Tarragon become more widely known. The Tarragon that is sold in the US today is not true Tarragon but rather Russian Tarragon which is not nearly the same. True Tarragon will be called French Tarragon and if you want to be sure that is what you are getting it is best to grow your own.

It is not recommended to use dried Tarragon because all of the active oils have been dried out. It is best to use fresh Tarragon which needs to be used rather sparingly because of its pungent taste. If you have grown the Tarragon yourself and have harvested it then put it in a Ziploc bag and stick it in the freezer. When it is time to use it there is no need to defrost it but remember that heat intensifies the flavor of Tarragon. If you have ever had Béarnaise Sauce, you should have recognized that Tarragon is the main ingredient in it.

Tarragon is used when preparing many sauces. In a pinch it has been said that a substitute could be chervil, a dash of fennel seed, or anise but the flavor will not be the same.

Many have claimed that Tarragon works well to induce appetite and the root of Tarragon was once used to cure toothaches. It is linked to medicinal uses for digestive aid and also for the prevention of heart disease. It can be used to induce menstruation and can be used as a sale substitute for people with high blood pressure. Further medicinal purposes include use for hyperactivity depression, and as an anti bacterial aid for cuts and abrasions.

Tarragon Hair Benefits:

1. Enhances Hair Quality:

Maintaining beautiful hair is a dream of many and tarragon has been proven to enhance the quality of one’s hair. Some styling products, natural shampoos and conditioners contain the extracts of tarragon.

2. Offers Luster to Dry Hair:

Tarragon is mainly useful for dry hair as it provides luster to the dry and frizzy locks. Regular application of tarragon makes the hair vibrant and healthy.

3. Promotes Healthy Scalp:

Use of tarragon helps to cleanse the scalp and removes dirt from a dry scalp. The herb helps to retain the moisture and sebum required for a healthy scalp.

Skin Benefits of Tarragon:
4. Cleanses Skin:
Health Benefits of Tarragon:
The residue obtained from the distilled, steamed tarragon leaves is a great antioxidant and cleans impurities from the skin.

5. Destroys Germs & Bacteria:

The leaves are crushed, grinded and mixed in the preparation of soaps and body washes. A great source of potassium, it helps to destroy germs and bacteria.

6. Improves Appetite & Regulates Digestive Tract Function:

The oil derived from tarragon leaves helps to increase the appetite of an individual and regulates the functioning of the digestive tract.

7. Regulates Menstrual Cycle:


The application of tarragon oil along with other flavored oils helps to regulate periods and gives relief from menstrual pains. The polyphenols present in it help to naturally control the levels of sugar in an individual.

8. Treats Tooth & Gum Aches; Reduces Anxiety & Depression:

Due to its antiseptic properties, it can be used to soothe tooth and gum aches. It naturally retains the water required by the body and helps to minimize the effects of anxiety and depression.

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Thyme Herb Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits

Thyme is a very popular and well known culinary herb. It is a very decorative plant while it is growing and is also very easy to grow as well but be prepared because bees just love Thyme. Many people use Thyme in stews, salads, meats, soups, and vegetables. Thyme is a very common household herb and is a member of the mint family. The plant is very aromatic and comes in many varieties. Thyme is a frequently used herb in many fish dishes. Oddly enough as much as honey bees love to suck the nectar from the Thyme plant is as much as other insects loathe it. Some people have been known to make a mist spray of Thyme and water and use it as a bug repellent.

Various forms of Thyme are available year round but many people prefer to grow their own. Nothing beats the smell and taste of fresh Thyme as long as you know to pick it just as the flowers appear. Once fresh Thyme is harvested it should be stored in either a plastic bag in the crisper or stood straight up in a glass of water on the shelf in the refrigerator for easy access.

The bad news, fresh Thyme does not have a very long shelf life, you will be lucky if it last a week. If you have selected fresh Thyme and decide to dry it then simply hang it upside down in a warm and dry atmosphere for about a week to ten days. Then you can crumble it into a powdery form and stored in a sealed dark container for no more than six months. You want to eliminate the stems as they have a tendency to have a woody taste to them.

Thyme has some medicinal purposes as well as an antiseptic, an expectorant, and deodorant properties as well. When combined with fatty meats Thyme has been known to aid in digestion too, especially with lamb and duck. Herbal medicine has used Thyme for various things such as extracts, teas, compresses, for baths, and for gargles. More modern medicine has chimed in and verified that Thyme just might strengthen the immune system.

Distilled Thyme oils have been used for the commercial use of antiseptics, toothpaste, mouthwash, gargle, hair conditioner, dandruff shampoo, potpourri, and insect repellant. It is also used in the production of certain expectorants that are prescribed for whooping cough and bronchitis. Thyme has also been used in part as an aphrodisiac and in aromatherapy oils as well.

If by some chance you are in the middle of cooking recipes that calls for Thyme and you find that you are out do not fret, it is said that you can use a pinch of oregano as a substitute if you have to. Thyme is very often used when cooking European cuisine but is essential for the correct preparation of French foods as it has that faint lemony taste to it. It has also been said that Thyme is one of the only herbs that a cook can not over season with because the flavor is so mild. Thyme is a primary spice that everyone should have stocked in their pantry.

10 Health Benefits of Thyme

1. Thyme helps lower high blood pressure, and the best way to use it is to replace salt in your food with thyme.

2. Did you know that thyme can cure bad coughs and some cases of lung infections? Thyme is considered a natural antibiotic, that helps your body recover from bad flues and colds. So, drink some thyme water and you’ll get better soon.

3. Thyme contains vitamins C and A, which are very crucial for the immunity of the human body.

4. Thyme also fights Osteoporosis, where your bones become fragile and easy to break. Thyme contains vitamin K, iron, calcium and magnesium.

5. If you suffer from a hair loss condition, use thyme oil to strengthen your hair folliciles and roots.

6. Another great benefit of thyme, is that it fights acne because it is a normal anti-bacterial agent.

7. Thyme protects you from severe digestive problems and prevents constipation. It also protects you from cancer and arteriosclerosis, because it contains high levels of anti-oxidants.

8. The greatest benefit of thyme is that it keeps your digestive system working normally.

9. Thyme is very good for blood circulation; it also protects memory, and memory recall.

10. Last but not least, thyme helps cure urinary tract infections and renal colic - a pain caused by kidney stones, and eventually it dilutes the kidney stones.
 Benefits of Thyme