Aniseed essential oil

The health benefits of Aniseed essential oil can be attributed to its properties as an anti-epileptic, anti-hysteric, anti-rheumatic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, aperient, carminative, cordial, decongestant, digestive, expectorant, insecticide, sedative, stimulant, and a vermifuge substance.

• Anti-epileptic & Anti-hysteric Effect

  Since aniseed essential oil has a narcotic and sedative effect, it can calm down epileptic and hysteric attacks by slowing down circulation, respiration, and nervous response, if administered in higher dosages. This is contrary to its stimulating and cordial properties, which are shown when administered in lower dosages. It is found effective in sedating nervous afflictions, hyper reactions, and convulsions as well. This property has been known and utilized for a very long time. However, this property should be used with caution, as heavy dosages can have adverse effects, particularly in children.

• Antirheumatic

  Aniseed essential oil can give relief from rheumatic and arthritic pains by stimulating blood circulation, and by reducing the sensation of pain in the affected areas.

• Antiseptic

  Aniseed essential oil also has antiseptic properties which give wounds an effective protective layer against infections and sepsis. This aids in the faster healing of wounds.

• Antispasmodic

  Situations or ailments caused by spasms are cramps, coughs, aches, diarrhea, nervous afflictions, and convulsions. Spasms are an excessive contraction of the respiratory tracts, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and internal organs that result in severe coughs, cramps, convulsions, obstructed blood circulations, aches in the stomach and chest and other symptoms. Aniseed essentila oil, being a relaxant and an antispasmodic by nature, relax these contractions and give relief from the ailments mentioned above.

• Aperient

  Aniseed essential oil has mild purgative properties but is safe to use. Unlike other synthetic or harsh purgatives, it is not hard on the stomach and liver and does not leave you exhausted and fatigued. When aniseed oil is taken in low dosages, it helps clear motions and cures constipation, resultant flatulence, and indigestion.

• Decongestant

  Aniseed essential oil is very effective in clearing congestion in the lungs and the respiratory tracts for conditions like asthma and bronchitis.

• Aids in Digestion

  This property of anise and aniseed essential oil is very commonly used to promote digestion. It has been an old practice to chew anise seeds, to serve desserts containing anise, or to have a glass of warm water with few drops of anise essential oil in it to aid digestion, especially after a heavy meal or a feast.

• Treats Respiratory disorders

  Aniseed essential oil is really remarkable as an expectorant and this property earned it an impressive reputation. Aniseed oil loosens mucus or phlegm deposited in the lungs and respiratory tracts and gives relief from a cough, heaviness in the chest, breathing troubles, asthma, bronchitis, congestion, and other respiratory disorders. Due to the presence of this essential oil in the seeds, the seeds are used for smoking to loosen catarrh or phlegm.

• Insecticide

   Aniseed oil is toxic to insects and smaller animals, therefore its smell keeps insects away. For this reason, aniseed oil can be employed to drive away insects by using it in fumigants, vaporizers, and sprays.

• Sedative

  Due to its somewhat narcotic or numbing effects, aniseed oil is used as a sedative for anxiety, nervous afflictions, depression, anger, and stress as well as for symptoms such as insomnia due to its tranquilizing and relaxing effects. This effect is particularly visible when it is used in higher dosages since in very small doses, it acts as a stimulant. However, the utmost care should be taken while administering it in heavy doses, keeping in view its narcotic effects.

• Stimulant

  The stimulating property of aniseed essential oil can benefit us in the following ways. Aniseed essential oil can stimulate circulation and give relief from rheumatism and arthritis, stimulate secretion of enzymes and hormones, thus boosting the whole metabolism and finally, aniseed essential oil can stimulate the nervous system and the brain to make us more active and alert.

• Vermifuge

  This is yet another aspect of its insecticidal property. Aniseed essential oil can kill worms found in the intestines. This property can be particularly beneficial for children, as they are most commonly afflicted with intestinal worms.