TARRAGON FOR TEETH. Because of the strength of the flavor, add sparingly and taste during the process of creating the flavoring at hand. They rubbed it on the chest, as a talisman, to ensure they would be safe while crossing rivers. Watch later. List of various diseases cured by Tagetes Lucida. The plant is also used by the Huichol, combined with Nicotiana Rustica as a potentiation for other plant medicines. There is a first, small flush of flowers in the spring followed by the main, fuller flush in the fall. It is an easy-growing plant with many uses, including being used in tea, in chocolate, or as a savory seasoning. Mexican tarragon ~ not a true tarragon, but has a similar flavor and is used as a substitute My simple salad with eggs (below) has a creamy tarragon dressing that takes it over the top. I first came across the ritual use of Tagetes lucida when I was studying the Huichol Indians of the Sierra Madre area of Mexico.  They call this flower tumutsáli or yahutli, and they smoke the dried herbage by itself or mixed with an equal portion of Nicotiana rustica.  The Huichol hold Tagetes lucida to be one of their most important ritual plants, and use it both recreationally and ceremonially, as part of a rite of passage ritual.  They say that it has a strong aphrodisiac effect. Interestingly, I found it to enhance the colors and coherence of my dreams. Because of this, I believe something in their diet or in combination would create its psychoactivity. Mexican mint tarragon has a flavor very similar to the French tarragon, although slightly richer in flavor. It’s important to not immediately discard our experiences on the first try, and it’s equally as important to ensure that we have the proper “set and setting” for any experiments with sleep and dreaming that we may choose to perform. This would be shortly before cutting out theirhearts and burning them on coal as a sacrifice to the God of Fire,Huehueteotl! MEXICAN TARRAGON IN THE KITCHEN. Medicinal use of Mexican Tarragon: The leaves and whole plant are digestive, diuretic, febrifuge, hypotensive, narcotic, sedative and stimulant. Many gardeners use this herb in their kitchen to add flavor to dishes with high-protein content. is a perennial plant native to Mexico and Central America. When it “synergizes” with the Nicotiana, the intoxication is “marked by quiescence, lying down, a fixed gaze, and frequent periods of closed eyes.” The literature goes on to state that peyote isn’t used to cause the above effects, but only to intensify them. Traditional Mexican cultures used it medicinally to treat stomachaches, nausea, colds and fevers. Mexican tarragon has glossy, liquorice-scented leaves.The plant is a perennial when grow in regions with mild winters: it cannot survive temperatures below -6 C / 20 F , It grows 60 cm tall (2 feet), and 30 cm wide (12 inches). The taste is good with chicken dishes, and can be mixed into fines herbes mixtures, fish sauces and tomato juice. In warm climates, its anise-like flavor makes it a substitute for French tarragon, which often withers in heat. Morag Gamble of Our Permaculture Life (www.our-permaculture-life.blogspot.com.au) explores the many uses of Mexican Tarragon - a great permaculture plant. Tagetes lucida is said to contain a compound that is very similar to Salvinorin A, the powerful alkaloid found in Salvia that is primarily responsible for its psychoactive effects and which is one of the most potent naturally occurring psychedelics.  Dried Tagetes lucida herbage is very fragrant and can be used as a flavoring spice in cooking, as a remedy for digestive troubles, and of course to induce visions. What does tarragon taste like? Mexican tarragon tastes like French tarragon with a slight anise flavor. In modern Mexican culture, it is used to treat digestive upsets, as well as flavoring for eggs and meat dishes. Sound a bit far-fetched? Required fields are marked *. The Huichol used to rely on corn and meat as their main staples. HOW TO PREPARE/RECIPE: I have discovered a number of different preparations for Tagetes lucida herbage in my research.  It can be infused in high proof alcohol to make a tincture, boiled in water to make a tea, or ground to make a paste.  My favorite method of taking Tagetes lucida is to boil 1-2 grams in 1 cup of boiling water for 5 minutes.  I then usually drink this tea while smoking about 1 gram of the dried herbage.  This seems to have the most noticeable effects, particularly when it comes to dreaming.  Tagetes lucida also works very well as part of smoking blends for purposes of dreaming, particularly in conjunction with Calea zacatechichi and Mexican Prickly Poppy. While Russian tarragon looks very similar to French tarragon but its taste is more bitter. Cannabis Isn’t The Only Weed | jackcollier7. Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus), also known as estragon, is a species of perennial herb in the sunflower family.It is widespread in the wild across much of Eurasia and North America, and is cultivated for culinary and medicinal purposes.. One subspecies, Artemisia dracunculus var. Mexican (also called Texas) tarragon (Tagetes lucida) grows all spring and summer before it produces many yellow, single marigold-like blossoms, but that is just a bonus because the main reason to grow it is for the flavored leaves. Its long, rich history has resulted in many nicknames such as Mexican Mint Marigold, Sweet Mace, Yerba Anise and Pericon. TARRAGON HERB VINEGAR. Tagetes Lucida is potentiated by CYP1A2 Inhibitors and CYP2A6 Inhibitors. Mexican tarrago also known as Spanish tarragon, Mexican mint marigold, Texas tarragon or winter tarragon. Mexican tarragon is used as a culinary addition to meat and egg dishes. North of there, it is grown as an annual. Thanks for sharing, and hope to hear more from you! Uses, Benefits, Cures, Side Effects, Nutrients in Tagetes Lucida. Versatile and Easy to Incorporate Into Your Diet. Germination will occur in 2 weeks. Mexican tarragon tastes like French tarragon with a slight anise flavor. After reading this I thought it noteworthy that the primary components are Spanish Tarragon leaf (Tagetes lucida), Meadow Sage leaf (Salvia nemorosa), Camomile flowers (Chamaemelum nobile), and Costmary leaf (Tanacetum balsamita). Luckily, there are plenty of other natural choices for dreams and dreaming. The health benefits can easily and immediately become a part of your life … It is used in the consecration of chalices, and can be carried in charms or sachets for compassion love, peace, nurturing, and good luck. You can harvest small amounts of the leaves throughout the growing season. The plants grow as small bushes but interestingly, if the branches touch the ground, they develop roots and the plants spread out from there. It’s also thought to help improve sleep and blood sugar levels. potted herbs and it looked and smelled nice 🙂 Its a lovely addition to my herb garden and adds wonderful flavor in cooking but now I’m excited to try other uses for it. Bloom time is late summer/early fall, August and September. Morag Gamble : Our Permaculture Life. Working with Tagetes lucida usually makes me feel sleepy, so I find it best to take just before bed.  I have found that Tagetes lucida also has very interesting dream enhancing effects.  It is very calming and induces restful sleep.  This, in combination with the visual effects that it has are certainly part of the reason this plant is useful in working with lucid and vivid dreams.  Tagetes lucida is an ideal addition to any dream inducing smoking blend or tea, and has particularly interesting effects when smoked along with Calea zacatechichi and Mexican Prickly Poppy. According to Diaz in a 1975 article entitled “Ethnopharmacology and taxonomy of Mexican psychodysleptic plants”, Tagetes lucida was smoked in ceremonies in Mexico to “aid clairvoyance” and to alleviate “crazy people and those astonished and frightened by the thunder.” On the other hand, in an article by Neher called “The ethnobotany of Tagetes” (which appeared in one of my personal favorite journals called “Economic Botany”), he states that several cups of a tea can have “strong stimulating effects.”. The foliage resembles tarragon but the flowers are definitely marigolds. Tarragon can also be used as a banishing herb. The plants reach 30 inches in height in full sun, 18 inches in partial shade. I have been developing an herbal liqueur for my own pleasure. It is believed that Mexican tarragon originates from Guatemala. Names of Tagetes Lucida in various languages of the world are also given. Your email address will not be published. Mexican tarragon is a perennial in zone 9. I have been growing this plant for a number of years. Mexican Tarragon is a well ­known herb in Mexico and Central America where it has been used for thousands of years! For long term storage Mexican tarragon does best when frozen or stored in vinegar. Beyond using it as a tarragon substitute you can use the fresh leaves to flavor drinks or make herbal teas; the Aztec people used it in cocoa drinks. Even now, this species of marigold is used in Mexican Dia de los Muertos celebrations as an offering to the deceased. For best flavor, harvest the leaves before the plant blooms in the fall. In the fall, it flowers with 1 cm wide (1/2 inch) yellow blossoms, Omelette with Fresh Tarragon - A traditional French omelette filled with goat cheese … It has small golden flowers. Well-drained soil is a must or the roots will rot. Both Mexican tarragon and French tarragon belong to … unsalted butter, peas, ham, fresh mint, fresh tarragon, pepper and 1 more. More than that, tarragon is a good partner. Traditional Mexican cultures used it medicinally to treat stomachaches, nausea, colds and fevers. In modern Mexican culture, it is used to treat digestive upsets, as well as flavoring for eggs and meat dishes. It is drought tolerant once it’s established but if you want lots of flowers, water the plants regularly. i.e. New leaves will grow back to replace them. I would suggest trying to the tincture over the course of a few days, or trying it at a time other than when you’re ready for bed, and comparing the effects. Propagating Mexican tarragon is easy. Tarragon is also a top herb that is used to relieve digestive issues, heart health conditions, poor appetite, water retention, toothaches, as well as sleep and menstruation problems. The Aztecs used this herb for medicine, cooking, and rituals. Tarragon tea is traditionally used for various discomforts and health problems ranging from toothache to snake bites and parasitic infections in … HOW TO PRESERVE TARRAGON. Use of the plant depresses the central nervous system, whilst it is also reputedly anaesthetic and hallucinogenic. Tagetes lucida Cav. If, over a few days and a range of conditions, then perhaps it’s clear that Mexican Terragon (Tagetes lucidia) isn’t for you. I discovered that the Huichol also smoke the dried herbage of Tagetes lucida during their peyote ceremonies, and that they believe that this empowers the effects of the peyote greatly.  They also sometimes smoke Tagetes lucida while drinking traditional maize beer or cactus liquor.  In these combinations, Tagetes lucida effects are said to include extremely dynamic and active visions. Perhaps that has something to do with the reported powerful effects of this seemingly innocuous plant. Ham and Peas with Mint and Tarragon Pork. The Aztecs used Tagetes lucida in ritualistic ceremonies as incense known as Yauhtli. Unlike French tarragon, which is added at the beginning of cooking, Mexican tarragon is more delicate and should be added at the end of the cooking time. Best served over a good steak and really good on asparagus too! Thank you for sharing your experience. But now, since they’ve been forced, in large part, to grow tobacco, destroying much of their hunting and farming lands, they now eat no differently than any other peoples in that region of Mexico. Winter Citrus Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette Yummly. Tagetes lucida, or Mexican tarragon is a powerfully psychoactive species of marigold that was used as a ritual incense by the Aztecs.  Even now, this species of marigold is used in Mexican Dia de los Muertos celebrations as an offering to the deceased.  These beautiful flowers are also used regularly as flower offerings in Hindu and Tantric ceremonies in Nepal and India, and are associated with the goddess Bhagwati and the god Shiva. Uses. There can be a large number of factors contributing to your insomnia, including being anxious over wondering what 30 drops of the tincture will do to you. Substitute Mexican terragon for French tarragon in equal proportions. Since tarragon has a subtle taste, … Search here for any articles, posts you are searching for in dreamherbs: Your email address will not be published. The plant has also been used as a talisman, rubbed on the chest to ensure safety when crossing a river. for making a weaker dose for a simple bedtime tea like your main article states or the opposite- a potentially stronger tea/smoke to help stay awake all night, and possible synergystic effects with other ethnobotanical compounds. Very unsettling. Tarragon has a distinctive anise or licorice flavor, with a hint of mint. The flavor breaks down more quickly when heated, so it is best to add it at the end of cooking. If you find your way back here, I’d be very interested to learn about your other experiences, and especially if you found something that worked for you. It is known as a protective and calming herb and is used in kitchen magic to put guests at ease and make them feel welcome. The flowers resemble single marigolds with five petals and are bright yellow in color. 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