Have you ever wondered what essential oils you should have on hand for yourself and your family?
I will be posting a quick reference guide to each essential oil to help you choose your personal apothecary.
We’re going to be going over what each oil is good for, how to use it, what it goes with to create a blend, and what to watch out for if you’re pregnant, planning to spend some time in the sun, or dealing with a particular ailment or medical condition.
As I sharing these with you we will be looking at pure, single essential oils, not at the many blended products that are available from just about any essential oil provider. Before you choose any of these blends many of with are touted by glowing testimonials on the distributors websites, or by sales representatives with long-winded spiels. Be sure that you know exactly which oils are in them.
Blends are meant as conveniences to help speed relief to you for an ailment, but they often contain oils you do not require for that purpose. Just as you would not mix up a handful of pills and swallow them without knowing what you were taking, be cautious in using blends that contain ingredients you do not require.
And as with all essential oils, check with your doctor before using any product to be sure it will not react with medications you already take.
Be an informed consumer and take the safest path to overall wellness.
Ok, now that we got all that out of the way today we are going to be talking about…
ANISEED
This pungent oil, also known as anise and sweet cumin, smells like licorice and is not related to star anise. It solidifies at low temperatures, so you many need to warm it with your hands to return it to a liquid.
Now cultivated in Europe, Africa and the United States aniseed is originally from the Middle East and was used in ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt. It’s also used in liqueurs and toothpastes, and is a breath freshener in India.
The oil is produced from the plant’s seeds and dried fruit through steam distillation.
WHAT IS IT USED FOR
- Arthritis
- Bronchitis
- Catarrh
- Colic
- Cramps
- Flatulence
- Hangover
- Indigestion
- Migraine and other types of headaches
- Muscle pain
- Stress
- Tension
- Vertigo
- Whooping cough
HOW IT’S USED
- As a neat (undiluted) application on a handkerchief.
- In a vaporizer or diffuser
COMPLEMENTARY OILS
- Caraway
- Cardamom
- Cedarwood
- Coriander
- Dill
- Fennel
- Petitgrain
- Rosewood
- Tangerine/mandarin
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR
Pregnant women should avoid aniseed oil. The anethole in aniseed oil can cause dermatitis, so aniseed oil should not be used on the skin. Use aniseed oil sparingly. Too much can slow circulation and cause cerebral congestion.
DO NOT USE DURING PREGNANCY
DO NOT USE ON SKIN
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Sources:
Photo by Mareefe from Pexels
Book: An Introductory Guide Essential Oils and Aromatherapy by Sonoma Press
ISBN #9780989558693
Information pulled January 7, 2019
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