Asarone is a component of certain essential oils used in traditional Chinese herbal medicine. α-Asarone is a component of certain essential oils used in traditional Chinese herbal medicine. Although carcinogenic, α-asarone has been shown to be neuroprotective and radioprotective in mice when given at 50 mg/kg.1,2,3 It also lowers serum cholesterol in rats, specifically reducing LDL-cholesterol ...