Tarragon essential oil: an aniseed scent to use very sparingly

For many people, tarragon first brings to mind béarnaise sauce or a Sunday roast chicken. Its essential oil, however, is no seasoning: it is a powerful aromatic concentrate with a fresh aniseed scent, to be handled with great restraint. Here is why – and how to enjoy it without taking risks.

What is tarragon?

Tarragon, Artemisia dracunculus, is a perennial plant of the daisy family (Asteraceae) and belongs to the same genus as mugwort and wormwood. Its narrow, fragrant leaves have long been used as a fresh culinary herb, particularly in French cooking.

According to the product sheet, our tarragon essential oil is obtained by distilling the leaves and comes in a 5 ml bottle; the sheet states that its use requires the advice of a specialist. We classify it in the ketone family, which calls for particular care – our sheet on essential oil families explains why. The tarragon essential oil reference is described as having "a fresh, aniseed scent". In organic quality, the 10 ml bottle is intended, according to its sheet, for aromatherapy preparations, and there is also a 5 ml bottle.

How to use it

Our drugstore team reserves it for highly diluted aromatic use. In practice, that means:

• For its scent: a single drop, mixed with gentler oils (citrus, lavender) in a diffuser, is enough to add a green, aniseed touch to a room blend.
• For short sessions: a few minutes of diffusion in a well-ventilated room, with no children or pets present.
• For anything else (a skin blend, a home-made preparation): talk to us first, so we can tell you whether it is suitable and at what dilution.

What about cooking?

Keep the fresh or dried herb for cooking. Tarragon essential oil is not to be taken as drops, nor used to flavour food or drinks.

Precautions

An oil that deserves respect. No internal use, no neat application, no contact with the eyes. Not to be used without prior advice during pregnancy and breastfeeding, for children, or if you are on medication. Stick to very low dilutions and brief diffusion. Keep the bottle tightly closed, away from light and out of the reach of children.

Our products

• Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus), 5 ml – distilled from the leaves.
• Tarragon essential oil – fresh aniseed scent.
• Organic tarragon essential oil, 10 ml – for aromatherapy preparations.
• Organic tarragon essential oil, 5 ml – small organic size.

Ask us for advice

Tarragon is one of those essential oils you do not buy lightly. Before your first purchase, take a few minutes to talk it over with the team at Droguerie Perusset: we will help you choose the right size and use it safely.