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Star Anise Essential Oil

Star Anise Oil (Illicium verum) is sometimes confused with Anise Oil (Pimpinella anisum) because both have similar names, both possess a similar aroma and both ave similar, but not completely identical properties.

Star Anise Essential Oil has an aroma similar to black licorice. Star Anise Oil can be useful in diffuser and inhaler blends intended to help ease bronchitis, colds and the flu.

Star Anise Oil may also be helpful in aromatherapy blends that are intended to help digestion and muscular aches or pains.

Star Anise Oil

Botanical Name: Illicium verum Common Method of Extraction: Steam Distilled Color: Pale Yellow Consistency: Thin Perfumery Note: Middle Strength of Initial Aroma: Strong

Aromatic Description: Sharp, anise and licorice-like aroma.

	Star Anise

Star Anise Oil Uses: Rheumatism, bronchitis, coughing, colic, indigestion/cramping, colds, flu. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 61-66.]

Constituents: (E)-anethole, foeniculin, methyl vhavicol, limonene, linalool, nerolidol and cinnamyl acetate. [E. Joy Bowles, The Chemistry of Aromatherapeutic Oils (NSW, Australia: Allen & Unwin, 2003), 190.]

Safety Information: Star Anise Oil is narcotic and slows circulation when used in large doses. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 152.] Slight risk of sensitization. [Robert Tisserand, Essential Oil Safety (United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone, 1995), 82.]

Tisserand also cautions to avoid Star Anise Oil in cases of alcoholism, liver disease, paracetamol use, breast-feeding, pregnancy, endometriosis, certain cancers, hyperplasia, damaged skin and with young children. [Robert Tisserand, Essential Oil Safety (United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone, 1995), 171.]

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. 

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