Anise (Star) Essential Oil

About The Plant

Star Anise comes from an evergreen tree that grows up to 12m high with a tall, slender white trunk. It bears fruit that consist of five to thirteen seed-bearing follicles attached to a central axis in the shape of a star. This tree is native to southeast China, Vietnam, India, and Japan.

About The Oil

The essential oil is produced by steam distillation from primarily fresh or partially dried seeds of the fruits and sometimes the fruit itself. Trans-anethole is the natural constituent that provides the licorice-like aroma of the oil similar to yet sweeter than that of Fennel. This Star Anise essential oil is very rich and potent in aroma and therapeutic efficacy. If you're a fan of this oil, this is really worth trying!

Also like Fennel, Anise essential oil also has estrogen-like effects, though more pronounced, as it has a higher percentage of trans-anethole. The estrogen activity of anethole is well-documented, though the 'trans' form may be less potent, and perhaps safer. Due to its estrogen-like effects, we highly advise consulting your physician or certified naturopath if you have any specific needs or concerns.

Of Interest

Cultivated by the ancient Egyptians as a medicine and culinary spice it was thought to ‘refresh the heart'. It was well known to the Greeks and Romans as a ‘pick-me-up'. Combined with orris root it was used by Edward IV for scenting linen and clothes. Used in Chinese medicine for over 1,300 years for its effects on the digestive system and for respiratory systems. In the East is it often chewed after meals to sweeten the breath and promote digestion.

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

Relaxes cramping
Settles digestion
Increases absorption in the intestines
Promotes normal peristalsis
Assists the body's natural eliminatory response

IMMUNE SYSTEM

Neutralizes microbes
Neutralizes insects

MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM

Soothes sore muscles, tendons and joints
Diminishes swelling
Relaxes cramping

REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

Increases milk flow in nursing mothers
Promotes and regulates menstruation

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

Aids in the expulsion of mucous
Stimulates the bronchi
Relaxes cramping

ENERGETICS

Warming and drying
Increases Qi
Replenishes deficiency
Uplifting
Comforting

PERSONALITIES

Good for introverted, melancholic or fearful people who tend to be withdrawn or frigid

INHALATION

Direct inhalation
Diffuser
Oil Vaporizer

TOPICAL

Massage to invigorate and replenish
To quell stomach cramps

INTERNAL

Ingestion: 24 drops for digestion, 1 drop on a teaspoon of sugar to restore equilibrium to the autonomic nervous system

Star Anise essential oil appears as a pale yellow liquid and has a clean, sweetly-spiced top note that mingles with a strong black licorice middle note creating an uplifting, energizing, mildly euphoric, and sensually enhancing effect. It blends well with rose, lavender, orange, pine, and other spice oils.

The familiar aroma is also what earned the aromatic its moniker "the fisherman's friend", as its presence in soaps was said to remove all traces of human scent, so that fish were more likely to be enticed into being caught.

Information: Various precautions for those with hypersensitive skin or with skin problems. Tisserand and Young recommend a dermal maximum of 1.75%. They indicate that it may inhibit blood clotting and that it is contraindicated in pregnancy, breastfeeding, endometriosis and estrogen-dependent cancers.

Avoid use with children under.⁵

Avoid use of the oil if it has oxidized.

[Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety (Second Edition. United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014), 197.]

Always test a small amount first for sensitivity or allergic reaction.