Aniseed oil smells like liquorice. While it may remind you of fennel or star anise, it’s closer to carrots and celery in its plant family.
People have used aniseed for thousands of years. Ancient cultures valued it highly, and it even appears in the Bible. Today, we mainly use aniseed oil for its healing powers. It can also help women during menopause.
What is Aniseed Oil?
Aniseed oil comes from the seeds of the anise plant, which first grew in Egypt. The oil is clear and thin. Its scent is warm, sweet, and a bit spicy.
The plant’s proper name is Pimpinella anisum. Though it shares a similar name and smell with star anise, they are different plants. Star anise has a slightly sweeter smell, but both oils offer similar benefits.
Key Benefits of Aniseed Oil
Aniseed has many uses beyond flavouring food and toothpaste. Here are its main benefits:
Lifts Your Mood
Studies show that aniseed oil can boost your mood when you’re feeling low. It helps brighten your outlook and makes you feel more positive. When you feel down, try putting some aniseed oil in a diffuser.
Fights Germs and Fungus
Aniseed oil can kill many types of fungi and bacteria. It works against skin fungus and has even stopped bacteria that cause serious illness.
Because it fights germs so well, you can use it (mixed with a carrier oil) to help clean small cuts and scrapes.
Reduces Swelling and Pain
If you have sore muscles or joints, aniseed oil might help. Studies show it reduces swelling and pain as well as some common pain pills.
Aniseed oil is also rich in antioxidants. These help fight harmful free radicals in your body and may lower your risk of some health problems.
Helps with Menopause
As women age, they go through menopause, which can cause hot flashes, dry skin, and tiredness. Aniseed oil acts like the hormone oestrogen in the body. One study found it cut hot flashes by 75%.
How to Use Aniseed Oil
For Your Mind
Even if you don’t love the smell of liquorice, using aniseed oil in a diffuser can help your mental health. It can lower stress, lift your mood, and help you sleep better.
In Your Bath
Add a few drops of aniseed oil to your bath. The scent will calm your mind and ease sore muscles.
For Massage
Mix aniseed oil with a carrier oil for a soothing massage. This helps with swelling and pain. It may also ease menopause symptoms if you rub it on your temples or lower belly.
For Your Skin
The germ-fighting power of aniseed oil makes it good for skin care. It can help clean your pores and stop infections. You can also use it to clean small cuts.
Always mix it with a carrier oil first and test it on a small patch of skin before using it widely.
For Cleaning
Mix aniseed oil with water and a bit of dish soap to make a cleaning spray that kills harmful germs. Use it in your normal cleaning routine or as an extra germ-fighter.
For Making Candles and Soap
Aniseed oil adds a strong top note to scents, making it great for soaps and candles. If you’re new to this, look for tested recipes to follow.
History of Aniseed Oil
Ancient Egyptians grew aniseed for cooking and medicine. They said it “refreshed the heart.” Greeks and Romans also praised it for lifting moods.
Aniseed was once so valuable that people used it as money. In the 15th century, people used it to scent their clothes.
Summing Up
Like the sweet it reminds us of, aniseed oil can bring joy. Its healing powers can ease discomfort and help keep us healthy.
When using aniseed oil, remember:
- It’s best for diffusers, baths, massage, skin care, cleaning, and making scented products
- Always dilute it with a carrier oil for skin use
- Its botanical name is Pimpinella Anisum
- It comes from steam distillation of anise seeds
- It fights germs, reduces swelling, lifts mood, and helps with menopause symptoms
Featured Product
Aniseed Essential Oil (Pimpinella Anisum) 10ml: 100% Pure
Looking to try aniseed oil? Our 100% pure Aniseed Essential Oil is perfect for you. This premium oil comes from India, where it’s carefully steam-distilled from dried fruits and seeds of the aniseed plant.
With its sweet, clean scent that hints of liquorice, this oil offers both physical and emotional benefits. It can refresh your digestive system, boost your respiratory health, and lift your spirits when you’re feeling low.
Our 10ml bottle is ideal for:
- Adding to your bath (4-8 drops mixed with a carrier oil)
- Creating soothing massages (2-4 drops per tablespoon of carrier oil)
- Using in your diffuser (3-5 drops) to fill your home with its crisp, sweet aroma
This versatile top note blends well with Bay, Black Pepper, Ginger, Lavender, Orange, Pine and Rose oils, letting you create custom blends for any need.
Remember, this is genuine Aniseed Oil (Pimpinella anisum), not to be confused with Star Anise Oil (Illicium vernum), giving you the authentic benefits described in our guide.
Photo by Anthony Cunningham for Zoom Health
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