Anise Seed (Pimpinella anisum) Essential Oil

Anise Seed Essential Oil 


BOTANICAL NAME
Pimpinella anisum

COMMON METHOD OF EXTRACTIONSTEAM DISTILLATION
PARTS USED
Seed

NOTE CLASSIFICATION
Middle

AROMA
Fresh, sweet, spicy, licorice-like

TRADITIONAL USE



Aniseed oil can be useful in the treatment of muscular aches and pains, rheumatism, bronchitis, whooping cough, colic, cramp, flatulence, indigestion, catarrh and hangovers.

Aniseed oil is not only helpful for its effect on the digestive system, it is also a general tonic to the circulatory system and the respiratory tract. It helps to calm the nerves of tense and anxiety ridden people. It also calms menstrual pains and eases nauseous migraines, while stimulating the lungs to expel phlegm.


The oil eases the discomfort of introverted and fearful people, while aiding the digestion, boosting the lungs and easing migraines and headaches

Burners and vaporizers
In vapor therapy, aniseed oil is useful for asthma, colds and all breathing problems, as well as quelling nausea and vomiting.
Drops of oil on a handkerchief
When used on a handkerchief to smell at, it is useful for settling digestive problems and can also benefit migraine and vertigo sufferers.
Anise seed has a long history of use as a spice and medicine. Raki, a popular drink in Turkey, is flavored with the seed. Writings by Pliny suggest anise as a morning pick-me-up.





PROPERTIES
Analgesic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, aperitive, carminative, digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, stimulant, stomachic

Chemical composition

The essential oil includes the following chemical compounds; a-pinene, camphene, b-pinene, linalool, cis-anethole, trans-anethole, safrole, anisaldehyde and acetoanisole.

BLENDS WELL WITH
Bay, black pepper, ginger, lavender, orange, pine, rose, cardamom, caraway, cedarwood, coriander, dill, fennel, mandarin, petitgrain and rosewood.

OF INTEREST
 Anise seed oil will crystallize at cool temperatures due to the anethole content in the oil.

Aniseed originated from the Middle East and is now cultivated in Europe, USA and North Africa. It is an annual herb, about 80 cm (2 feet) high with delicate feathery leaves, tiny white flowers and grayish-brown seeds.

Aniseed oil was revered by ancient civilizations, especially by the Romans, Egyptians and Greeks. The Romans used it in a spicy cake know as 'mustaceus', the Egyptians used it in bread, while the Greeks used it for its calming influence on the digestive tract.

Aniseed is used in liqueurs and cordials, toothpastes and mouthwashes. In India it is used  as a breath sweetener and in Turkey, a popular alcoholic drink called 'raki ' is made from the seeds.



SAFETY DATA
Avoid while pregnant or breast-feeding. May cause skin irritation.