Essential Oil – Aniseed

• Gas & Bloating Relief: Like its relative Fennel, Aniseed is a primary choice for relieving flatulence, intestinal gas, and abdominal distension.
• Easing Indigestion: Used in a diluted massage oil to stimulate digestion and help soothe an upset stomach after a heavy meal.
• Nausea Support: Inhaling the sweet scent can help settle "queasy" stomachs or motion sickness.

Respiratory Support

• Natural Expectorant: Helps to loosen and expel mucus from the lungs and respiratory tract, making it useful for productive coughs.
• Soothing Spasms: Its antispasmodic properties are excellent for calming "whooping" or hacking coughs and easing the tightness associated with asthma (under professional guidance).
• Sinus Clearing: When used in steam inhalation, it helps to open up congested nasal passages.

Emotional & Mental Benefits

• Calming Nervous Tension: The warm, sweet scent has a "cocooning" effect that helps soothe frayed nerves and mild anxiety.
• Mental Clarity: While relaxing, it also helps to sharpen focus and can be used to dispel "brain fog" or mental lethargy.
• Sleep Aid: Often added to nighttime blends to help quiet a restless mind and encourage a sense of security before bed.

Women’s Wellness

• Menstrual Comfort: Its "estrogenic" properties can help regulate the menstrual cycle and ease painful period cramps when applied topically (diluted).
• Lactation Support: Historically used by nursing mothers to help increase milk supply (galactagogue), though this should only be done under the advice of a qualified practitioner.

• A powerful top-to-middle note with a distinct "black licorice" scent
• Because it is incredibly sweet and spicy, it can easily dominate a blend

• It should be avoided during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and by individuals with estrogen-dependent cancers due to its trans-anethole content
• It can also cause skin irritation, so it must be heavily diluted (typically 0.5% to 1%) before topical use