Essential Oil Star Anise

Essential Oil Star Anise (15 mL)

Essential Oil Star Anise

Essential Oil Star Anise is derived from Star Anise which is a spice made from the fruit of the Chinese evergreen tree Illicium verum.  These are star-shaped pods from which the spice seeds are harvested and has a flavour and aroma that is faintly reminiscent of licorice.  Because of similarities in their flavour and names, star anise is often confused with anise, though the two spices are unrelated and somewhat very different.  Star anise is famed not only for its distinct flavor and culinary applications but also for its medicinal benefits.

AROMA: Sweeter, and softer than most evergreen oils with a balsamic, resinous odor with green woody notes. Overall, the scent is very clean, fresh and pleasant.

HISTORY OF USE

Star anise has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years and has also been accepted into some Western medicine practices more recently.  Its rise in popularity is largely driven by its antimicrobial properties and pharmacological potential.

Documented properties in aromatherapy for anise star essential oil include analgesic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, aperitive, aphrodisiac, calmative, cardiac, carminative, digestive, disinfectant, diuretic (mild), estrogenic, expectorant, insecticide, stimulant (circulatory and digestive system; respiratory tract), stomachic, tonic, warming.  Anise star essential oil is used in aromatherapy to promote peaceful sleep, relieve digestion and intestinal issues, eases breathing, and is a natural remedy for PMS symptoms.  Anise star essential oil is mood uplifting. It can help aid menopause symptoms and relieve menstrual discomfort. It also increases lactation.  Anise star essential oil is used by fishermen and hunters to mask human scent.

Illicium verum is a medium-sized evergreen tree native to northeast Vietnam and southwest China.  A spice commonly called star anise, staranise or star anise seed, Chinese star anise, or badian that closely resembles anise in flavor is obtained from the star-shaped pericarps of the fruit of I. verum which are harvested just before ripening.  Star anise oil is a highly fragrant oil used in cooking, perfumery, soaps, toothpastes, mouthwashes, and skin creams.

About 90% of the world’s star anise crop is used for extraction of shikimic acid, a chemical intermediate used in the synthesis of oseltamivir (Tamiflu).

Antiviral Capabilities
One of the most popular pharmacologically relevant attributes of star anise is its shikimic acid content.  Shikimic acid is a compound with strong antiviral capabilities. In fact, it’s one of the main active ingredients in Tamiflu, a popular medication for the treatment of influenza.  Currently, star anise is the primary source of shikimic acid used for pharmaceutical product development. As the influenza pandemic continues to mount as a threat to global health, the demand for star anise is on the rise.  Some test-tube research has also shown that the essential oil of star anise may treat other types of viral infections, including herpes simplex type 1.

Though star anise is frequently used for treating influenza, more research is needed to further understand its potential to treat other viral infections in humans.

Caution:   NEVER USE INTERNALLY without consulting professional medical help

• Not recommended for pregnant women and infants.
  Individuals with serious and chronic health issues should consult an expert prior to using oils.

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