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Star anise is an ancient Chinese remedy that can offer our bodies protection against certain viral, fungal and bacterial infections.
Although many people in the west recognise it first as a spice as it is prominently used in many Southeast Asian recipes, star anise is well-known in aromatherapeutic circles for its health-boosting properties.
We take a deep dive into the uses and benefits of star anise oil, to help you learn and discover more about its wellness and potential and some of the ways you can include it in your daily routine.
Star anise essential oil is a prominent member of the Illiciaceae family and is extracted from the dried ripe fruit of the evergreen tree via steam distillation.
The tree is native to Southeast Asia, with each fruit containing 5-13 seed packets that are formed in the shape of a star, which is how the spice originally got its name.
It is often confused with aniseed, as they share similar names and liquorice-like aromas, although they come from two separate plants that live in completely different parts of the world.
Although star anise is used in relatively small amounts, it can still pack a punch and deliver a host of powerful health benefits.
For example, star anise contains quite a few notable bioactive compounds, all of which are recognised as offering significant contributions to our wellbeing.
It is particularly dense in polyphenols and flavonoids, which could be the main reason for the fruit’s many medicinal benefits, including its anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antimicrobial properties.
Star anise contains compounds such as gallic acid, limonene, anethole, linalool and quercetin, which have been highlighted by several studies for their health-boosting abilities.
The natural benefits of star anise essential oil suggest that it could be used to:
The flu virus tends to last from October through to May, bringing with it a host of unwanted symptoms.
It may also explain why warm, expectorant oils, like star anise, tend to be in heavy rotation during this period too.
Shikimic acid is one of the main agents used in pharmaceuticals to give protection against and the treatment of the influenza virus, a chemical that is a key component of star anise.
In 2018, researchers found that the fruit is actually the primary source of shikimic acid in pharmaceuticals, which could make it a powerful anti-flu agent for use around the home. [1]
Other studies have also identified that star anise could prove useful against other viral infections, demonstrating a certain level of antiviral activity against a strain of the herpes virus. [2]
Another key component of star anise is anethole, which can also be found in aniseed and is responsible for the oil’s unique scent.
When researchers took a closer look at its potential benefits, they learned that it contains strong antifungal properties that could offer protection against fungal infections. [3]
Their report suggested that anethole may even possess the ability to restrict and stop the growth of infectious fungi.
Research conducted some years earlier also highlighted that the compound was able to inhibit the growth of pathological fungi in edible crops, which could lead to it being used for plant disease control in vegetable and fruit preservation. [4]
In addition to its antifungal and antiviral properties, the benefits of star anise oil may also extend to preventing bacterial infections from attacking the body.
This claim is based on two main studies: one from 2013, which showed that E: coli could be successfully reduced by star anise, and another from 2014, which demonstrated how urinary tract infections could also be treated by the oil. [5] [6]
The results of a paper published in 2010 even suggested that drug-resistant bacteria could be affected by star anise. [16]
Treatment-resistant bacteria is a growing concern in the medical industry and where antibiotics are unable to provide solutions, natural remedies may be able to provide an alternative answer.
Star anise oil benefits also extend to an ability to work as a natural sedative, potentially helping to slow brain activity, relieve stress and also create a calmer state of mind.
This may be due to the presence of a component called nerolidol, which has demonstrated sedative effects in some animal tests. [7]
One review from 2020 also stated that several pharmacological studies have found star anise to contain sedative properties. [8]
This can make it a useful aid to use against symptoms of anxiety, offering a natural alternative to traditional medication.
Anise has been used as a traditional treatment for hundreds of years, with seeds often ground into powder and consumed as tea in the belief it can give comfort to a troubled stomach.
Although research is ongoing, some studies have published results that suggest star anise could have a positive effect on gastrointestinal diseases.
For example, a 2016 study examining the use of anise in traditional Persian medicine found that compared to a common treatment capsule (Colpermin) it helped to reduce irritable bowel syndrome symptoms by lowering discomfort, constipation, bloating and headaches. [9]
A wide range of cosmetic products use star anise as an ingredient, including toothpastes and soaps.
It can also be found in some mouthwashes, with anethole again playing a starring role.
Although the study was limited in range, researchers did find evidence that suggests star anise could boost dental health by fighting germs. [10]
A mice study also found that star anise extract demonstrated antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus (MRSA) skin infection. [11]
Unfortunately, there are no studies that suggest it could offer the same benefits for humans, so more research is needed in this area.
In addition to its antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties, there could be additional star anise oil benefits that enable it to regulate blood sugar levels.
A 2015 study found that anethole was able to control some of the main enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism. [12]
This could have a positive effect on glucose levels in the blood, and although more research is needed, there is a possibility the compound could be used to improve insulin sensitivity at some point in the future.
It is believed that star anise may be able to reduce the presence of harmful free radicals, helping to lower oxidative stress and boost heart health.
Research in this area is limited, although early-stage studies have published some positive results.
For example, this animal study found that an ethanol extract of star anise helped to stabilise blood pressure, lipid levels and changes in weight in mice being fed a high-fat diet. [13]
Researchers also observed that there was a notable reduction in inflammation and lower amount of plaque build-up in the arteries.
There are a host of star anise oil uses, with some of the most popular being as an:
If you’re a fan of the sweet and faintly spicy scent of liquorice, then diffusing star anise essential oil is an excellent choice during the colder months of the year.
Its scent can offer protection against respiratory illnesses along with any airborne bacteria.
Some people also find that diffusing the oil in their bedroom before going to bed can help them to relax and enjoy a good night’s rest.
Star anise oil benefits can also be enjoyed when it is applied as a massage lotion, allowing its natural anti-inflammatory properties to calm and soothe the skin.
After diluting with a carrier oil, gently massage into affected parts of the body to increase blood flow, which can help to relieve inflammation and pain caused by digestive issues.
Its sweet aroma comparable to licorice, flavor, and the effects on your digestive system, place anise essential oil at the top of the list of best essential oils. Our anise oil comes from the Illicium verum plant fruit seed (also known as Star Anise) which produce a sweet aromatic taste and odor. This plant is native to southeast Asia and southwestern China. The star-shaped seed contains fragrance properties used in beauty and washing products. It is also used as a digestive and flavorful spice in many Asian cuisines. Traditionally believed to have health benefits, its content of shikimic acid has more recently been discovered by modern medicine as a precursor for the synthesis of the anti-influenza drug Tamiflu. While generally suitable for your body’s well-being, star anise contains other powerful bioactive compounds that may not be right for you, so it is best to introduce yourself to it gradually.
The following are the proven benefits that you get from the use of anise oil.
It's clear to you that your skin needs quality oil to look and feel well-taken care-off. With natural properties that help your body fight off infections, anise provides you with an oil option good for your skin. It will deep clean your skin such that possible pores that cause acne get eliminated. It also has active ingredients that support the repair and healing process of your body skin. Anise, therefore, helps your skin to:
If you have ever held black licorice near your nose, you're then aware of the kind of aroma anise produces. A small drop of the anise seed's essential oil can make a notable change to any dull inhaler blend. That's why it's useful when it comes to easing colds, flu, and bronchitis when mixed with other inhaler blends. The fragrance properties found in anise gives it a rich and sweet scent good for aromatherapy products.
Aromatherapy refers to several traditional therapy processes that use essential oils and other known plant compounds with aromatic properties. Annette Davis, the President of the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy defined aromatherapy as the medicinal use of essential oil healing to achieve holistic healing. Anise oil, like other essential oils is ideal for Aromatherapy applications like inhalation and massage. Anise is also used to make Aromatherapy products like cosmetics, perfumes, and pharmaceuticals.
As you start using anise, you will find a big difference in your life. You will start feeling healthier, calmer, happier, and finally younger. The main reasons for those feelings are:
As part of the aromatic plants family, anise's use dates back to ancient traditions. It was used both as conventional and folk medicine and is currently in use in the pharmaceutical industries. Just like other essential oils, it contains sedative effects which make it bring down hysterical and epileptic strikes. It achieves that by slowing down the respiration, nervous, and circulation processes.
The above happens when anise oil is taken in higher dosages. If in lower dosages, it will show cordial and stimulating properties. Anise oil can also prove effective for nervous afflictions sedations, convulsions, and even hyper reactions. However, utilizing higher dosages to get desired results needs care as there’re possible side effects, especially for children.
With a healthy immune system, your body is capable of fighting-off diseases making it remain healthy. Your immune system comprises a complex and wide network of cells spread out throughout the body. The cells are responsible for watching out viruses, pathogens, and diseases that may invade your body and cause harm. When the immune system detects any of those harmful invaders, it immediately springs into action and clears them.
Your main focus then, is to make sure you do everything possible to improve your natural defense mechanism. Essential oils, anise among them, are a great way of promoting your immune system health. Anise oil contains anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-bacteria, and antioxidant properties. All those properties are important in making your body maintain harmony and balance within your immune system.
If you suffer from respiratory disorders, anise with its expectorant properties may act as the right remedy. It may effectively act against the phlegm or mucus deposits in your lungs and make them loose. It, therefore, gives you much-needed relief from coughs, breathing problems, chest heaviness, asthma, congestion, bronchitis, and other kinds of respiratory issues. The essential oils found in the aniseed can get inhaled leading to the loosening of your phlegm or catarrh.
The healing properties of anise oil for respiratory disorders got proved through research findings by Kamilla Acs and Gyorgyi Horvath from the University of Pecs, Hungary. They researched respiratory tract disorders treatment using essential oils which highlighted the oils' role concerning their preventive effects on bacterial infections and inflammation. The report’s conclusion stated that essential oils, anise included, help to fight bacteria that cause respiratory problems.
Anise seed essential oil acts effectively to relieve your pain offering soothing effects to your muscles and joints. It can get used by people with rheumatism and arthritis conditions and also by sportspeople suffering from muscle and joint injuries. It has anethole, a property that gives it relaxant and anti-inflammatory effects. In 2014, tests carried out with anise oil on animals were clear about its pain lessening without sedation side effects.
You should ensure to dilute it before you apply it on your skin due to inflammation and skin irritation if used undiluted. It's recommended you use it with common oils like sweet almond, jojoba, sesame, coconut, avocado, grape seed, and avocado. You also ensure to add just a few drops to the carrier oil and do a test on small skin areas before full application. You can then apply if you don't experience any discomfort within one to two days.
Health experts report that current adult depression cases in the United States alone stands at 26 percent. That’s a serious state that requires maximum efforts to eradicate it as the scenario can lead to other negative effects like on individual economic input and output. Depression is a kind of a mental disorder with an adverse effect on your physical health and overall well-being. Some of the symptoms are lack of sleep, abnormal tiredness, energy loss, and lack of concentration.
A PMC article on a research carried out on anise seed extract indicated that it has notable antidepressant properties on mice. It was concluded that, anise can prove a good prescription medication for treating depression. Other studies, although on animals have shown that the oil can to help in relieving physical and psychological symptoms related to depression.
Although not a complete replacement to your daily regular hygiene habits like mouth brushing and flossing, anise can help in supplementing their benefits. According to Dr Maestri of Maestri Family Dental, essential oils like anise are beneficial to your oral health in the following ways.
You may find commercial use of pest control loaded with chemicals harmful to yourself, your pets, and the environment. Your pest control concerns may get a big boost from the use of the anise plant as it contains pest repellant properties. That also applies to anise oil as proved through research carried out by Roman Pavela of Crop Research Institute.
Pavela’s research used samples of anise oil and its trans-anethole properties which were applied on eggs, the larvae, and adults of the Culex Quinquefaciatus. There was no effect on the eggs, but the other growth stages acted sensitively to the application. On that basis, the use of anise as a potential botanical insecticide is recommended.
You may confuse between anise and star anise because of the similarity in names. While anise comes from the Pimpinella anisum plant, star anise comes from a tree belonging to the magnolia family. Their composition has a difference in that aniseed is potent and spicy flavored while star anise seems milder. But, they serve almost the same uses and the star anise essential-oil benefits are similar to that of anise.
The oil comes with so many uses in various fields including medical, pharmaceutical, cosmetology, food, and dental fields. You can use it for medicinal use, flavoring agent for foods, pest and insects control, oral health, for fragrance, Aphrodisiac, Skin disease treatments, relaxation, and extra.
It’s recommended you dilute the oil well and put systematic drops to the blends until you reach the desired level. You can blend star anise with Caraway, Cedarwood, Ambrette, Cinnamon, Coriander, Mandarin, Mimosa, Lavender, Orange, Rose, Fennel, Clove, Cardamom, Cypress, Ginger, Pine, Jasmine, Dill, and Petitgrain.
Anise, with many health beneficial properties, can get used internally to prevent many ailments. However, you need proper care when applying as it's a mild narcotic and excess usage can slow down your circulatory system. You, therefore require a health professional's guidelines when using it for various health issues like pain relief, healing injuries, sedating, curing spasms, reduce fatigue, digestion issues, respiratory health, loosening mucus, eliminating worms, and extra.
For commercial use, anise oil gets extracted from anise seed using the steam distillation process. You can make it at home by toasting anise pods in a heated stainless-steel pan for about 5 minutes. The next step is to grind the pods with a mortar and spice grinder. Mix the ground anise with neutral oil in a container and low heat for about 10 minutes and then store in a dry and cool place.
With high vitamin C and antioxidants content, there’s enough evidence to show that anise oil benefits your skin. Those natural properties make it enhance elastin and collagen production in your body. Both contain tannins highly need by your body to make your skin elastic and smooth. You can compare the composition of anise with that of botox which creates similar effects on your face.
At Roots Essential, we are committed to offering you products with wholesome body health benefits. It’s our business also to ensure that all our products provide you with natural healing properties without adverse effects on the environment. Anise essential oil with all its versatility can offer you many benefits. You can use anise oil to make natural fragrances adding products like incense, perfumes, and candles or for its aromatherapy properties. It’s also not limited to the number of ailments it can heal and prevent like skin diseases, constipation, menopausal periods, diabetes, sedative action, nausea, and extra.
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