ANISE SEED ESSENTIAL OIL

Latin Binomial: Pimpinella anisum
Plant Part: Seed
Extraction: Steam Distilled
Growing Practice: Ethical
Country of Origin: Iran
Odor Type: SPICY

Odor Characteristic: Aniseed Pimpinella anisum has an intensely sweet and clean odor, commonly ascribed as 'licorice', although Arctander tells us that licorice rhizome extract odor does not resemble that of aniseed at all. Aniseed has a powerful and strong odor characteristic, yet is sweet and soft.

Refractive Index: 1.561 @ 20.00 °C.
Specific Gravity: 0.983 @ 20.00 °C.
Appearance: colorless to pale yellow liquid
BioChemical Class: Phenol ether
CAS No: 8007-70-3
INCI Name: PIMPINELLA ANISUM SEED OIL
Flash Point °F: 194

About the Plant

Pimpinella anisum is a flowering herbaceous annual in the Apiaceae family, native to the eastern Mediterranean and southwest Asia. It has simple leaves, long and shallowly lobed at the lower parts of the plant and divided, feathery pinnate at the higher regions. Flowers are small, white dense umbels which dry into schizocarps fruit and eventual seedpod. Anise is easily cultivated in the garden, by direct seeding in the spring.

History

Anise seeds have a long history of use in herbalism and flavoring foods. Traditional herbal uses include: aphrodisiac, antiemetic, antiseptic, bactericide, antispasmodic, emmenagogue, expectorant. According to Pliny the Elder, it was used as a cure for sleeplessness and chewed in honey in the morning to freshen the breath; also mixed with wine as a remedy for scorpion stings. In East Indian cuisine, there is no distinction between anise and fennel and the name, "saunf" is given to both. Aniseed is the flavor in a favorite gum of the 50's, "Black Jack". They are still used in Lebanon and Syria steeped as a tea.

Aromatherapy: The essential oil is effective in soaps, lotions and creams to add anti-bacterial properties. Added to a massage oil, it can help as a relaxant. The essential oil is a nice addition for respiratory blends for asthma and bronchitis and to treat colds and flu. Also in massage, it is useful to help stomach problems like indigestion and is a smooth muscle anti-spasmodic useful for cramps.

Perfumery: Has use as a masking agent and is primarily used in combination with sweet orange oil for this purpose. With the emergency of natural perfumery, it may find a special place among other spice oils.

Anise essential oil is both an irritant and sensitising. Contact dermatitis reactions are attributed to anethole. (Mitchell and Rook, 1979) Use sparingly as it can be stupeforic.

CAUTION: Avoid use during pregnancy or in case of estrogen-dependent cancer.

The information provided on these pages is not a substitute for necessary medical care, nor intended as medical advice. Always keep aromatic extracts tightly closed and in a cool, dark place, out of reach of children. Never ingest aromatic extracts. Always dilute aromatic extracts when applying topically and avoid areas around eyes or mucous membranes. If redness or irritation occurs, stop using immediately and contact your health provider if necessary.