Everything You Need To Know About Chinese Star Anise Essential Oil

As we continue our review of some of our most popular essential oils, I wanted to take some time to talk about another of my personal favourites, Chinese Star Anise (also known as Illicium Verum).

Chinese Star Anise is a highly fragrant oil with a wide range of uses and benefits and is used extensively in cooking, soaps, mouthwashes and skincare.

At this point I should note that not all essential oils are food grade, so before you add this to your favourite recipe be sure to check. We are pleased to say that our star anise is food grade and is therefore safe to use in cooking.

Star anise is anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-oxident. The fruit is star shaped, radiating between five and ten pointed sections. These sections are the seed pods. The star-shaped fruit is picked before it can ripen, then dried and the oil removed via steam distillation. It is a process, but the end result is well worth the effort!

Most of us would recognise the very strong and distinct liquorice aroma that the Chinese Star Anise radiates. This powerful scent enhances sleep patterns and can help alleviate tiredness and weariness both mental and physical.

It will come as no surprise then that this amazing essential oil is both a relaxant and calmative and helps maintain emotional balance.

Used as a massage oil it can help relieve sore muscles, stress and insomnia.

Chinese Star Anise also has medicinal benefits. Used in a diffuser or in chest rubs it is particularly effective in alleviating the symptoms of coughs and colds and other respiratory conditions.

One of the lesser known facts about this product, and I have to admit I was surprised and even a little skeptical until I tried it out myself, but it is a very effective insecticide and is commonly used to drive away mosquitoes and other small insects. You can use it as a substitute for, or use in conjunction with citronella. I bet you didn’t know that!

Star anise blends well with Rose, Lavender, Black Pepper, Cedarwood, Coriander Seed, Pine, Spearmint and Sweet Orange.

As I said, this is one of my personal favourites, and I urge you to give it a try…you will not be disappointed! You can find it on our site right here.