Anise essential oil
Element - Fire
Property - warm
Note - Head
Group - Essential oil
Synonym - sweet caraway
Botanical name - Pimpinella anisum
Plant family - Apiaceae (Umbelliferae)
Contents
Botany
Botanical name
Pimpinella anisum
Plant family
Apiaceae (Umbelliferae)
Umbellifers, also known as umbelliferae, belong to the order of umbelliferae. The plant family contains around 434 genera and around 3,780 species, which are mainly found in temperate zones. The leaves, fruits and roots of numerous Apiaceae species are used for medicinal purposes, as a spice or vegetable due to their essential oils. The best-known examples from the kitchen are Carrots, parsnips, coriander, caraway, dill, parsley and aniseed.
Further information about the umbellifer family can be found at
→ at the Horstmann tree nursery
Origin & distribution
The umbellifer family is found all over the world, with the largest area of distribution in the northern temperate zones. In the tropics, the plants are mainly found in the montane altitudes (around 700 to 2,000 meters). You can best observe Apiaceae around their preferred growing area: in steppes, swamps, forests and meadows.
Origin for the production of the oils
Italy, France, Hungary, Turkey, Asia, South America
Plant part used
Anise essential oil is extracted from the crushed seeds of the plant.
Ingredients Anise essential oil
- Monoterpenes
- Sesquiterpenes
- Monoterpenols
- Phenols
- Phenyl ester
- Aldehydes
- Ketones
- Coumarins and furocoumarins
Warnings Anise essential oil
Internal use:
Not suitable for pregnant women, babies and small children.
Anise oil can cause sensory disturbances and drowsiness in sensitive people.
Contraindications:
The oil should not be used for allergic and inflammatory skin diseases, nor for benign proliferation of the endometrium, prostatic hyperplasia and oestrogen-dependent cancers. Anethole-rich essential oils should not be used by alcoholics; liver diseases and the use of paracetamol are also contraindications.
Background
Aniseed essential oil is obtained by steam distillation of the crushed seeds. Aniseed is also known as a kitchen spice.
Even in ancient times, aniseed was used in herbal medicine to relieve dry coughs, bronchitis and whooping cough. The Romans used it in their diet to relieve flatulence and facilitate the digestion of rich foods.
Aroma
Grade
The perfumery counts pine oils among the Top notes.
Top notes
The top note describes aromas that are perceived immediately after opening the container. The top note conveys the first and often the decisive impression of a fragrance composition. They are often citrusy, green, fresh and Airy fragrances. The volatile fragrance molecules that open the door to the next fragrance phases evaporate very quickly. Already 10 - 15 minutes After application, there is hardly anything left of the top note fragrance.
You can find more interesting information on this in the article "→ World of fragrances".
Fragrance
balsamic, woody, spicy
Mixes well with...
Carrier oils
Possible carrier oils depend on several criteria such as skin type and effect. Below I list some neutral carrier oils that can be used well because they are odorless and generally well tolerated.
You can find a wider selection of carrier oils in the → Aromatrix
Body, mind & soul
In the Body, Mind & Soul section, a possible therapeutic use of essential oils is described. An attempt is made to make both the Western and the Eastern perspective transparent.
The Western approach can be found under Effect and use differentiated according to body and mind & soul. For comparison, the Eastern approach describes the chakras and functional areas.
Western approach
This section is written for the aroma therapy expert:
Effect
BODY
antibacterial, antiseptic, appetite stimulant, expectorant, strongly anti-bloating, antiemetic, bile production stimulant, bile flow stimulant, diuretic, cardiotonic, cough suppressant, circulatory stimulant, antispasmodic, milk flow stimulant, narcotic, estrogen-like, expectorant, analgesic, uterine stimulant, digestive stimulant
Mind & Soul
brightening, invigorating, psychoactive
Use
BODY
Asthma, chronic bronchitis, spasmodic inflammation of the small and large intestine, vomiting, colds, birth preparation, flu, cough, menopausal symptoms, colic, cramps, scabies, lice, lumbago, stomach pain, rare menstruation, menstrual disorders, menstrual pain, meteorism, migraine, muscle paralysis, muscle pain, premenstrual syndrome, PMS, rheumatism, indigestion, dyspepsia
Mind & Soul
Tension, mental exhaustion, nervousness, restlessness
Eastern approach
This section is written for the TCM expert:
Anise essential oil balances the yin and yang functions of the heart.
5 elements
Element fire
Aniseed essential oil is associated with the element of fire.
The element assignment of an essential oil is determined by the →Aroma profile and the direction of action. Aniseed essential oil has mainly yang components. It is used as Yang because the movements in the fragrance are directed outwards.
Chakras
No assignment to a chakra
Essential oils without a classification listed here may also have a connection to one or more chakras. As there may not yet be a classification for the oil in question or it is too complex in its properties, it is not suitable for this systematization, as the aim of the systematization is to simplify possible applications.
A detailed explanation can be found in the following article: → Etheric oils & chakras
Functional areas
Qi deficiency
- increases the guardian qi, fights infections, acts against poison: Animal bites, insect repellents
- corrects the eyes: Visual impairment
- moves the Qi especially of the lungs and heart, tonifies the ancestor Qi, opens the chest, transforms phlegm: Dry cough, wheezing, tightness in the chest, tiredness, shortness of breath, palpitations, nervous restlessness
- promotes lactation: Menstrual cramps, insufficient breast milk
- acts on the stomach and spleen: Indigestion, nausea, vomiting, indigestion, flatulence, bloated and gurgling stomach, colitis
Main use:
lethargic, pale, sweaty, sad
Psycho-emotional representation:
feeling uncomfortable and unable to connect with others, sad, unhappy and disappointed
Sources:
Icon by Tomas Knopp from Noun Project (CC BY 3.0)
Texts are based on the following publications:
Pocket dictionary of aromatherapy by Dietrich Wabner, Verlag Systemisch Medizin, 2013
Aromatherapy with Chinese Medicine by Dennis Willmont, Willmountain Press, 2003
Applications
Essential oils against lumbago
5 ELEMENTS APPLICATION
Strong antispasmodic massage oil with the essential oil anise / star anise.
