Illicium verum

A traditional food spice, the attractive star anise has long been used in Asian cooking and is one of the Chinese Five Spices. It has also been prized in Europe since the 1500s as a popular ingredient in apertifs and liqueurs. Star anise shares a similar scent and therapeutic values to Aniseed, although the two plants are not related. Use star anise in massage blends to relieve body aches or in an aphrodisiac blend. It is a tonic for the gut in myriad ways and can be diffused to ease congestion and assist breathing. A useful insecticide. Star anise has a sharper scent that the intensely sweet Aniseed. Fennel’s scent falls in the middle of the two.

Aroma: Top to middle note

Perfume: Warm, spicy-sweet and pungent with a deep balsamic-woody undertone. Its sharp, liquorice-like aroma is not unlike aniseed of the umbelliferae family.

Blends well with: other spice oils, clove, cinnamon, cardamom, coriander, black pepper, rose, lavender, cedarwood, pine, spearmint and orange.

Indications: Antispasmodic, anti-viral, antiseptic, anti-fungal, anti-oxidant, expectorant, decongestant, narcotic, sedative, insect repellent.

Part of plant used: unripe fruit

Type of extraction: steam distilled

Grown and Manufactured in: China

Precautions: Can be skin irritating, so a low dosage is recommended. (a little goes a long way) Dilute well; Tisserand recommends a dermal maximum of 1.75%. A patch test should be performed before use for those with sensitive skin. Add drop by drop to your blends until the desired effect is achieved. Avoid in pregnancy, breast feeding, endometriosis, estrogen-dependent cancers, and children less than five years old. Star anise may inhibit blood clotting so is contraindicated with anticoagulant medications; not to be used in the case of major surgery, peptic ulcer, haemophilia, other bleeding disorders.

Packaging: recyclable blue glass bottle.

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