Springfields Aniseed is a 100 per cent pure essential oil distilled from star anise, Illicium verum. The oil runs clear to pale yellow and carries a warm, spicy aroma with the distinctive black liquorice character that most people recognise instantly. It is classed as a top note, so it is the first thing you notice in a blend and the first to lift away. The 10 mL amber bottle is an aromatherapy and home fragrance product, not a medicine. Its use is in a diffuser, a drop at a time because the liquorice note is strong, and in blending with sweet orange, lemon or sandalwood when a warm spice note is wanted through the colder months.Product Strengths Star anise has a long tradition of use in aromatherapy as a warm, comforting spice note. Unadulterated single oil: the bottle holds nothing but Illicium verum essential oil, with no carrier, diluent or synthetic aroma chemical added. Batch tested for purity: each batch is confirmed pure and unadulterated before it is bottled. A genuinely distinctive aroma: the sweet liquorice note of star anise is one of the few essential oil aromas that reads clearly even at a very low inclusion rate. Stimulating and refreshing when diffused, which is how it is usually described. Blends readily with sweet orange, lemon, bergamot and sandalwood, spanning bright citrus through to soft woods. Suitable For / Not Suitable ForSuitable for: General household use.Not suitable for: Pregnant or breastfeeding women, unless advised by a health professional.Botanical SourceBotanical name: Illicium verum, the star anise tree, an evergreen native to south east Asia. Note that this is star anise, not the unrelated European aniseed Pimpinella anisum, even though the common name Aniseed appears on the pack.Plant part: the seeds held within the fresh or partly dried star shaped fruits.Extraction method: steam distillation.Country of origin: not declared for this oil.How to Use Diffuser: add a few drops to the water of an ultrasonic diffuser and run in a well ventilated room. Start low, because this aroma carries a long way. Warm compress: blend 1 drop with 2mL of massage oil and add it to a warm, damp cloth. Dilution: for adult skin contact, dilute to 1 to 3 per cent in a carrier oil such as sweet almond, jojoba or fractionated coconut. As a guide, 1 per cent is roughly 1 drop per 5mL of carrier. Blending: pairs well with sweet orange, lemon, bergamot and sandalwood. Safety Not for internal use unless you are under the supervision of a suitably qualified practitioner. Do not swallow. Always dilute in a carrier oil before skin contact. The usual guidance for adults is 1 to 3 per cent. The Australian retailer that publishes the supplier's precaution text states that this oil is not recommended for direct skin application because of the risk of sensitisation. Patch test first. Apply the diluted blend to a small area of inner forearm and leave for 24 hours before wider use. Discontinue if a rash or irritation develops. Keep away from the eyes and all mucous membranes. Avoid during all stages of pregnancy and while breastfeeding, and avoid use with children under 5 years. This is the published supplier precaution. Keep out of reach of children and pets. Flammable. Keep away from naked flame, candles, heaters and other ignition sources. Do not use on broken or damaged skin. StorageStore tightly capped in the original amber glass bottle, upright, in a cool, dark, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat. Keep away from plastics and polished surfaces, because undiluted essential oil can mark them.DisclaimerThis is a pure essential oil sold for aromatherapy and home fragrance use. It is not a therapeutic good and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or condition. For external use only after dilution. Always read the label and follow the directions for use. If irritation occurs, discontinue use. This information is general in nature and is not a substitute for advice from a qualified aromatherapist or healthcare practitioner.
