Home Page > Essential Oil Profiles > Anise Essential Oil

Anise Essential Oil

Anise Essential Oil possesses the distinctive aroma of black licorice. Although you may not be a fan of black licorice, a single drop or two of Anise Seed Essential Oil can dramatically enhance an otherwise dull blend. It can be useful in diffuser and inhaler blends intended to help ease bronchitis, colds and the flu. It is said to help promote the production of breast milk and stimuate menstruation, but it should be used with caution and avoided in oestrogen-dependent cancers (see safety notes below).

Emotionally, Anise Oil can be calming when used in very small dilutions.

Anise and Star Anise Essential Oils are often grouped together and sometimes are confused with each other as both possess a similar aroma and have similar, but not completely identical properties.

Anise Essential Oil has several safety precautions as noted below.

Anise Oil

Botanical Name: Pimpinella anisum Common Method of Extraction: Steam Distilled Color: Clear Consistency: Thin Perfumery Note: Top Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium

Aromatic Description: Distinctive scent of licorice. Rich and sweet.

Anise Oil Uses: Bronchitis, colds, coughs, flatulence, flu, muscle aches, rheumatism. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 60-66.]

Constituents: a-pinene, camphene, B-pinene, linalool, cis-anethole, trans-anethole, safrole, anisaldehyde, acetoanisole. [B. Lawrence, "Anise Oil," Perfumer & Flavorist, June/July 1983, 65, cited in Salvatore Battaglia, The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy (Australia: The Perfect Potion, 1997), 141.]

Safety Information: Caution for those with hypersensitive skin or with skin problems. Avoid Anise Oil in endometriosis and oestrogen-dependent cancers. [Robert Tisserand, Essential Oil Safety (United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone, 1995), 117.]

Anise Oil is narcotic and slows circulation in large doses. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 196.]

Important Note: The essential oil information provided within the Essential Oil Properties & Profiles area is intended for educational purposes only. This data is not considered complete and is not guaranteed to be accurate.

General Safety Information: Do not take any essential oils internally without consultation from a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. Do not apply undiluted essential oils, absolutes, CO2s or other concentrated essences onto the skin. If you are pregnant, epileptic, have liver damage, have cancer, or have any other medical problem, use essential oils only under the proper guidance of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. Use extreme caution when using oils with children and give children only the gentlest oils at extremely low doses. It is safest to consult a qualified aromatherapy practitioner before using essential oils with children. A skin patch test should be conducted prior to using an essential oil that you've never used before. Instructions on conducting a skin patch test and more safety information can be found by visiting the Essential Oil Safety Information page. For very in-depth information on essential oil safety issues, read Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand and Tony Balacs. 

< Return to Essential Oil Profile Index

	Own Detailed Profiles on 160 Essential Oils The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils by Julia Lawless contains 160 detailed essential oil profiles complete with beautiful color photos.  Read a review of this book or purchase this book through Amazon.com. Also consider... Aromatherapy Science: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals In addition to the eight main chapters contained within the book, Aromatherapy Science: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals also includes over 65 detailed oil monographs (profiles) and over 30 appendices.  Read a review of this book or purchase this book through Amazon.com.