Anise Oil
Updated Apr. 18th, 2024 | Read Time: 4 Minutes | What You Will Learn:
- Brief History On Aromatherapy
- What is Anise Essential Oil?
- How To Use Anise Oil
- Benefits & Uses For Anise Oil
- How To Properly Use Essential Oils
- What Oils Pair Well With Anise?
Essentials oils have been used around the globe for centuries. In fact, anise oil was and still is used medicinally in Egypt, Greece and Rome. Most essential oils are used for both pleasure and medicinal purposes. Medicinally, certain food-grade essential oils can be ingested orally to have a biochemical effect on your body, but most aromatherapy oils are to only be used topically.
Because essential oils are volatile, meaning they can evaporate into the air especially when added to hot water, they can also be breathed in through your respiratory system. This can have a local effect on your sinuses, nasal passages and lungs. They can even enter your blood circulation through being inhaled which will then have a biochemical effect on your entire body.
Topically, essential oils work by penetrating your skin to affect an area locally and by penetrating your skin a small amount can enter your blood stream affecting your whole body. Applied topically, essential oils are absorbed through your olfactory nerve in your nose affecting your brain and nervous system.
These various pathways can affect your health both mentally and physically. The study of Aromatherapy – the medicinal use of essential oils – falls under the new science called Psychoneuroimmunology, which is the study of the interaction of your psyche, nervous system and immune system. Science has shown that when you have a positive outlook and feel relaxed your immune system works better.
Brief History On Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy and the use of essential oils and resins from plants have been used in cultures globally since Biblical times. They were in such demand that they played an important role in international trade around the globe. In Egypt, high priests recorded the many medicinal uses of essential oils onto papyrus paper. Records show the Chinese used aromatic herbs and massage over 2000 years ago. And in Indian Ayurvedic medicine, essential oils were and still are used in massage and on pressure points to correct underlying imbalances and to improve health.
What is Anise Essential Oil?
Essential Oil of Anise is a steam distillation of the oils from the Anise plant, also known as Pimpinella anisum. The main medicinal ingredient is Anethole.
Anise is a flowering plant indigenous to the Mediterranean region and Southwest Asia. It is a member of the parsley family of plants but has a distinct flavour and smell of licorice.
As an herb and essential oil, Anise has been used for culinary and medicinally purposes since Roman times. It’s even been acclaimed as being able to cure bad dreams if you place it under your pillow at night.
How To Use Anise Oil
- inhaled through steam inhalation, humidifiers, diffusers, and vaporizers
- added to a carrier oil and applied to your skin directly or as a hot or cold compress
- spritzed onto objects like pillows, bedding and furniture
- added to infusers, potpourri and candles to enhance the odour of an indoor space
- applied to skin as perfume
- used as a gargle or mouth wash, added to toothpaste, soaps, cleaning solutions, lotions and creams, face and body spray
- added to baths, hot tubs, Jacuzzis, hand and foot baths and saunas
Benefits & Uses For Anise Oil
Anise essential oil can be used for many ailments…. One of the best things it addresses is anything to do with spasms… Spasms are at the root of numerous signs and symptoms such as tension headaches, migraines, spasmodic coughs related to post nasal drip, asthma or respiratory infections like whooping cough and bronchitis. In fact Anise oil is a decongestant and expectorant all in one….so it clears phlegm and helps you cough it up. It also helps leg cramps, menstrual cramps, and gastro intestinal pain related to cramping. It works by relaxing your nervous system and muscles to relieve stress and tense muscles and cramping.
Another classic use for Anise oil is for digestive upset, especially stomach symptoms like colic, indigestion, belching, reflux and heart burn. It also works well for flatulence, gas and bloating. Anise is considered a carminative herb. This means it soothes and calms anything that is “upset” and it gets rid of gas. It soothes things which are inflamed or irritated and reduces mucus production due to inflammation, irritants and infections. Along with a probiotic and diet modifications, this makes Anise Essential Oil perfect for treating IBS.
How To Properly Use Essential Oils
Orally:
- a few drops in water:
- for upset stomach and intestines
- colic, gas, indigestion, bloating
- IBS
- Only food-grade oils can be ingested, most essential oils aren't meant for internal use.
Topically: in a carrier oil like Jojoba, Sweet Almond or Grape Seed Oil:
- on your belly for upset bellies and children’s colic
- on tense or cramping muscles or lower abdomen for menstrual cramps
- on affected areas of your head during headaches and migraines
Inhaled via steam inhalation, vaporizer, bath, diffuser or humidifier:
- for coughs
- bronchitis, whooping cough
- asthma
What Oils Pair Well With Anise?
- Peppermint, Wintergreen and Chamomile – for digestive symptoms
- Eucalyptus, Ginger and Rosemary – for respiratory symptoms
- Chamomile, Marjoram, Basil – for muscle cramps
Anise essential oil is so lovely, it smells like Licorice. This article is vital to read, it is so helpful for those who have bought or are wanting to buy Anise essential oils. All the articles are so helpful to everyone who wants to buy health related natural products. The articles also help you when it comes to mixing the essential oils for many purposes. Everyone should read these articles, they are not a waste of time. The more you learn, the more you grow to understand the products you are using.
Hello Valerie-Jean,
Anise oil does have a sweet, warm scent that's reminiscent of liquorice. We're glad you enjoyed our article on Anise oil and learned some ways to blend and use it. You will enjoy our newer essential oil articles too, here's one on the popular lavender oil:
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/essential-oils/lavender-essential-oil/
Stay healthy & well
Wow! I had no idea that anise oil was so beneficial! It has so many great uses and is so good to have have around to help with a variety of issues. I am particularly pleased to learn of its ability to help with menstrual cramps and respiratory infections like coughs, bronchitis, etc. And I love that there are so many ways to use this oil as well (diffuser, topically, etc.) This oil truly is a Jack of all trades, wowzers!
Hello,
Indeed, Anise oil is the jack of all trades! It has many benefits as mentioned in this article and offers a deep, spicy scent with a hint of licorice. It's really nice to use in the colder months before bed as it's also a warm oil and smells pleasant in a diffuser with other deeper oils around the holidays. We think you'll also enjoy our essential oil youtube series:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EONKjnTkE5k&list=PLFydSZTC8qlbfjY2KHRR9lCDLZNLDd5k5
Have a healthy day!
Thank you for this informative article on anise essential oil. I love how you covered its various uses, from aromatherapy to digestive support.
Hello, Vinevida,
You're welcome, we are thrilled you enjoyed this read. Aromatherapy is fascinating and learning about the benefits of each oil is handy for when you aren't feeling well. Since you enjoyed this article, we think you'll enjoy our essential oil series on our Youtube channel, you can check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EONKjnTkE5k&list=PLFydSZTC8qlbfjY2KHRR9lCDLZNLDd5k5&pp=iAQB
Have a healthy day!