Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) is a herbaceous essential oil with a sweet, anise-like, herbaceous aroma and a heart note. Steam distillation from leaf, it is a versatile blending oil that pairs well with Lavender, Bergamot (FCF), Lemon (Cold Pressed). For topical use, keep dilution at or below 0.1%.
High-estragole tarragon (70-80% estragole/methyl chavicol). Sweet anise-like culinary herb oil with strict dermal limits.
Aroma & character
Aroma
Properties
| Perfumery note | Heart |
| Aroma family | Herbaceous |
| Chemical family | Ether |
| Material type | Essential oil |
| Extraction | Steam distillation |
| Plant part | leaf |
| Origin | France, Iran, Russia |
| Blending factor | 4 |
| Volatility index | 3 |
| Tenacity (hours) | 6.0 |
Safety & dilution
Very high estragole content (70-80%). Max dermal use 0.1%.
| Max topical dilution | 0.1% |
| Max facial dilution | 0.05% |
| Pregnancy | Not recommended |
| Nursing | Not recommended |
| Children | Not recommended for young children |
| Cats | Not recommended |
| Dogs | Generally suitable when properly diluted |
Safety flags
Evidence: Traditional — EODB: 2 GC-MS analyses (Artemisia dracunculus).
For education only — not medical or veterinary advice. Essential oils are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition. Always patch-test and consult a qualified professional before use during pregnancy, on children, with pets, or with a health condition.
Scale amounts to any container with the dilution calculator.
Blends well with
Frequently asked questions
What does Tarragon essential oil smell like?
Tarragon has a sweet, anise-like, herbaceous, warm aroma, classed as a herbaceous oil with a heart note.
What is the safe dilution for Tarragon?
For topical use, keep Tarragon at or below 0.1%, and 0.05% on facial skin. Always patch-test before wider use.
Is Tarragon safe to use during pregnancy?
Tarragon is not recommended during pregnancy. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before any use.
Is Tarragon safe to use around children?
Tarragon is not recommended for young children. Consult a professional before use.
Is Tarragon safe around pets?
For cats — avoid; not considered safe; dogs — generally lower-risk when well diluted. Diffuse only in ventilated spaces and consult a veterinarian.
What does Tarragon blend well with?
Tarragon pairs well with Lavender, Bergamot (FCF), Lemon (Cold Pressed), Basil (Holy / Tulsi), Clary Sage.