Anise (Pimpinella anisum) oil

Elgayyar et al., Antimicrobial activity of essential oils from plants against selected pathogenic and saprophytic microorganisms. J Fodd Prot. 2001 Jul; 64(7): 1019-24.

Anethole is known to cause dermatitis.  Avoid using anise oil in allergic and inflammatory skin conditions.  Also avoid during pregnancy.

Chemical constituents:

Companion oils: , and .

Anise oil is steam distilled from the fruit (seeds) of the Pimpinella anisum plant, and yields on distillation from 2.5 - 3.5%.

Pimpinella anisum has been in use since the fourteenth century in Turkey, and has been cultivated in English gardens since the middle of the sixteenth century, although the seeds ripen in England only during very warm summers.  It is grown on a commercial scale mainly in warm lands, such as southern Russia, Bulgaria, Germany, Malta, Spain, Italy, North Africa and Greece.  It has also been introduced into India and South Africa.

Pimpinella anisum is an annual herb of the Apiaceae (Umbelliferae or carrot) botanical family, and is native to Turkey.  It grows to about three feet, with delicate leaves and white flowers.

Pimpinella anisum is an annual herb of the Apiaceae (Umbelliferae or carrot) botanical family,