GET TO KNOW YOUR OILS
Tarragon (Estragon)
Artemisia dracunculus
Chemotype: estragole (methyl chavicol) type
- PLANT PART
- leaves and flowering tops
- EXTRACTION
- steam distillation
- AROMA NOTE
- mid
LEARN AS YOU COMPARE
What’s inside this oil?
Constituents are the natural chemicals that give an oil its character. See the main ones, learn what they do, and explore differences between batches.
Meet the main constituents, then select one to see what makes it interesting.
FOLLOW YOUR SENSES
Aroma & character
A closer look at this oil's scent, strength, and staying power.
- Aroma intensity
- 50 / 100
- Note layer
- mid
If you like this scent, explore
A LITTLE CARE GOES A LONG WAY
Using it thoughtfully
Read the full safety context before bringing this oil into your routine.
- Cited dermal maximum · leave-on
- 0.1%
- Phototoxicity
- Not flagged in this profile
- Oxidation risk
- medium
A cited maximum is a limit, not a suggested dilution. Missing restrictions do not establish safety.
The cited public tarragon safety monograph explicitly describes the oil as non-phototoxic.
Contraindications & cautions
- majorAvoid use in pregnancy because this estragole-rich tarragon oil is described as poisonous and inappropriate for pregnant women.
- majorAvoid use on infants and young children for estragole- and methyl-eugenol-rich tarragon oils.
Explore measured chemistry from supplier batches
A supplier report describes a particular sample. Open this workspace to investigate measured constituents and their original documents.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE SCENT
Inside the oil
An oil's character comes from its natural chemical composition. Explore each constituent to understand the connections.
About this composition
This profile is scoped to the estragole-rich commercial tarragon oil described in public safety and vendor reference material. Public literature shows multiple tarragon chemotypes globally, but the commercial French-style oil sold for aromatherapy is typically estragole-dominant, with beta-ocimenes, limonene, alpha-pinene, and low methyl eugenol as recurring secondary markers.
| Constituent | Typical amount | Reported range | Chemical family | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estragole | 84.83% | 73.3–87.3% | phenylpropanoid | View sourceTarragon essential oil supplier monograph; The Evaluation of the Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activity of Tarragon Essential Oil https://www.kusharomaexports.com/essential-oils/tarragon-essential-oil (estragole 73.3-87.3%); https://brieflands.com/journals/jjm/articles/18591 (methyl chavicol 84.83%) |
| (E)-beta-Ocimene | 3.86% | 3.86–9.1% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceTarragon essential oil supplier monograph; The Evaluation of the Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activity of Tarragon Essential Oil https://www.kusharomaexports.com/essential-oils/tarragon-essential-oil ((E)-beta-ocimene tr-9.1%); https://brieflands.com/journals/jjm/articles/18591 (trans-ocimene 3.86%) |
| (Z)-beta-Ocimene | 3.42% | 3.42–9.5% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceTarragon essential oil supplier monograph; The Evaluation of the Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activity of Tarragon Essential Oil https://www.kusharomaexports.com/essential-oils/tarragon-essential-oil ((Z)-beta-ocimene tr-9.5%); https://brieflands.com/journals/jjm/articles/18591 (z-beta-ocimene 3.42%) |
| Limonene | 1.79% | 0–3.5% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceTarragon essential oil supplier monograph; The Evaluation of the Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activity of Tarragon Essential Oil https://www.kusharomaexports.com/essential-oils/tarragon-essential-oil (limonene 0-3.5%); https://brieflands.com/journals/jjm/articles/18591 (limonene 1.79%) |
| alpha-Pinene | 0.57% | 0.5–2% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceTarragon essential oil supplier monograph; The Evaluation of the Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activity of Tarragon Essential Oil https://www.kusharomaexports.com/essential-oils/tarragon-essential-oil (alpha-pinene 0.5-2.0%); https://brieflands.com/journals/jjm/articles/18591 (alpha-pinene 0.57%) |
| Methyl eugenol | 1.5% | 0.1–1.5% | phenylpropanoid | View sourceTarragon essential oil supplier monograph https://www.kusharomaexports.com/essential-oils/tarragon-essential-oil (methyleugenol 0.1-1.5%; safety advice calculated from 1.5% methyleugenol content) |
Profile source: Tarragon essential oil supplier monograph; Learn about Tarragon Essential Oil - Artemisia dracunculus · https://www.kusharomaexports.com/essential-oils/tarragon-essential-oil ; https://aromaticstudies.com/learn-about-tarragon-essential-oil-artemisia-dracunculus/
A TRADITION OF BOTANICAL CURIOSITY
Traditional & reported uses
These uses reflect the profile's reported traditions and literature. They are not established treatment recommendations.
- traditionally used in aromatherapy for supporting digestive comfort
- reported to ease occasional muscle tension in massage blends
- traditionally associated with supporting a settled, relaxed feeling after meals
- used in perfumery and culinary-adjacent blending for its anise-like, green herbaceous note
- reported to support easing of occasional hiccup-related discomfort in folk use
For aromatherapy and wellness use only — not medical advice. Effect statements are traditional/reported associations, not treatment claims. The Synergy Rating scores blend craft, harmony and safety, not medical efficacy. Read the safety framework.
What we're still learning · 2 data gaps
Good decisions start with knowing what is — and isn't — in the evidence.
- The odor_intensity value normalizes Kush Aroma's qualitative 'medium aroma' statement rather than a native published 0-100 sensory measurement.
- A directly readable primary IFRA or Tisserand page for the 0.1% oil-level dermal limit was not public in this pass, so the safety monograph is the supporting public source.