Star Anise Essential Oil (Illicium verum)

Overview

Star Anise may also be referred to as staranise, star anise seed, star aniseed, Chinese star anise, or badian. It is typically processed using steam distilled as a method for extracting oil from the seeds.

Summary

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.

Essential Facts

Aroma Description: Sharp, anise and licorice-like aroma.
Common Name(s): staranise, star anise seed, star aniseed, Chinese star anise, or badian
Synonyms(s) for Illicium verum: Illicium stellatum
Botanical Family: Schisandraceae
Botanical Genus: Illicium
Chemical Family: Ethers
Major Compounds: (E)-anethole, Foeniculin, Methyl chavicol, Limonene, Linalool, Nerolidol, Cinnamyl Acetate
Perfumery Note: Middle
Consistency: Thin
Strength of Initial Aroma: Strong
Color: Pale Yellow
Indigenous Country: Vietnam
Cultivation: Organically Grown
Processing Methods: Steam Distilled
Part Typically Used: Seeds
Shelf Life: very very long time

Ethically and sustainably sourced
Organic
Vegan
Not recommended or safe if pregnant or nursing
Not recommend or safe for children

Essential Details

Benefits & Uses

May be benefitial for addressing the following ailments:

Bronchitis Colds Colic Coughs Flu Indigestion Influenza Rheumatism

Therapeutic Benefits of Star Anise:

Analgesic Anti-anxiety Anti-asthmatic Anti-inflammatory Anti-rheumatic Anti-spasmodic Anti-viral Calming Carminative Cooling Digestive tonic Emmenagogic Estrogenic Expectorant

Cautions & Safety

Cautions when using Star Anise:

May irritate sensitive skin. Anise oil 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.

Various precautions abound 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.] Tisserand and Young include additional information that is recommended reading.

Safety Precautions for Star Anise:

Do not take any oils internally and do not apply undiluted essential oils, absolutes, CO2s or other concentrated essences onto the skin without advanced essential oil knowledge or consultation from a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. If you are pregnant, epileptic, have liver damage, have cancer, or have any other medical problem, use oils only under the proper guidance of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. Use extreme caution when using oils with children and be sure to first read the recommended dilution ratios for children. Consult a qualified aromatherapy practitioner before using oils with children, the elderly, if you have medical issues or are taking medications. For in-depth information on oil safety issues, read Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young.