Tarragon oil is extracted from the leaves and the flowering tops by steam distillation from Atremisia dracunculus of the Compositae family.
Tarragon is an herb used for its culinary and medicinal uses; its oil is useful in many ways. It contains anti-rheumatic, aperitif, digestive, deodorant, emmenagogue, stimulant and vermifuge therapeutic properties.
This oil is non-irritant and non-sensitizing but can be moderately toxic due to the methyl chavicol in it and therefore must be used in moderation.
Tarragon oil is commonly used in perfumes also called estragon oil, it is said to have been originated in Asia and is suspected of being brought to Spain by the invading Mongols in the early 1100’s.
In early folk lore it was believed to cure venomous bites from snakes, spiders, bees, and scorpions.
Tarragon oil has been shown to have anti-cancer activity against cervical and skin cancer at fairly low concentrations according to a study by Brigham Young University. So take advantage of those properties every day, it will improve your health!
This oil also speeds up digestion by stimulating the secretion of digestive juices (gastric juices such as acids and bile) into the stomach, which helps break down food into various nutrients and stimulates peristaltic motion in the intestines.
This facilitates the motion of food through the whole digestive system. The toxicity of this oil kills any worms in the body.
These include roundworms and tapeworms that are found in the intestines, hookworms that can live in any part of the body, and even maggots on wounds.
It is alright to use this oil externally, but extreme care should be taken when taking it orally, since it is a toxic substance.
Tarragon is used for its antiseptic and anaesthetic properties in dentistry and to treat toothaches.
The antibacterial properties of tarragon lend it to being used as a natural deodorant. It prevents bad body odour and reduces the growth of microbes on the skin.
Tarragon is often used as an ingredient in commercially prepared deodorants as well.