Anise Seed - Added to perfumes for its rich, sweet fragrance.

The oil of anise and star anise are often used and sold interchangeably because they are similar in aroma and chemical make-up. The primary constituent of both is anethole, a sweet substance that solidifies at room temperature. If this happens simply warm the bottle in a warm water bath until the oil liquefies.

Aromatherapy benefits: cheering, sense-enhancing, mildly euphoric.

Aniseed is a very potent oil. It contains anethole that can cause dermatitis, so avoid in problem skin conditions. In large doses it can slow down the circulation and can cause cerebral congestion.

It must be avoided during pregnancy.

Aniseed oil can be useful in the treatment of: muscular aches and pains, rheumatism, bronchitis, whooping cough, colic, cramp, flatulence, indigestion, catarrh and hangovers.

Aniseed oil is not only helpful for its effect on the digestive system, it is also a general tonic to the circulatory system and the respiratory tract. It calms menstrual pains.

In vapor therapy Aniseed oil is useful for asthma, colds and all breathing problems, as well as quelling vomiting and nausea.

Useful for digestive problems, it can also benefit migraine and vertigo sufferers.

Aniseed oil goes particularly well with other essential oils such as Cardamom, Caraway, Cedarwood, Coriander, Dill, Fennel, Mandarin, Petitgrain and Rosewood.

Essential and resin oils are volatile, fragrant materials extracted from the root, bark, wood, seed, fruit, leaf or flower of a single plant. Essential oils contain the odor, taste and medicinal properties of the plant itself, but in very concentrated form, with no base oil, alcohol, water or dilutants added.

Steam distillation and cold pressing are used to extract the essential oil from the plant.

Starwest Essential Oils are guaranteed to be 100% pure and undiluted. The distillation process occurs either at the site where the plants are grown or at a distillery. Each oil is tested for purity and strength using the gas chromatography method.

Packaged in glass amber bottles to preserve the oils, the 1/3 ounce size has a fitted dropper insert and a tamper-evident, child-proof lid. The larger items are in amber glass or PET gallon containers, depending on the product.

Starwest’s pure essential oils are suitable for use in aromatherapy, cosmetic preparation, healing and body care, potpourris and more.

Essential oils are very potent and should always be used sparingly and in conjunction with a reliable reference.