Anise oil is made from the seeds of the Pimpinella anisum plant, which is more commonly known as anise or aniseed. It has a sweet, aromatic essence that is reminiscent of licorice. Because of this, it’s popular for cooking, baking, and aromatherapy.
It’s also considered to be highly valuable in a medical context as well, helping to aid digestion, knock out coughs and colds, and even lessen menstrual pain as well.
This article will help to guide you through the various stages of creating your very own anise oil. It’s surprisingly easy to make and can be used for numerous things for one’s homestead.
Ingredients and Equipment for Homemade Anise Oil
The ingredients needed to make homemade anise oil are relatively few:
Anise Seeds: It’s good to buy the highest-quality anise seeds from a trusted source. Fresher seeds mean fresher oil in the long run.
Carrier Oil: This is based on personal preference or availability more than anything. Coconut, almond, or olive oil are the usual suspects here.
Glass Jar With Lid: Clean and sterilized for the infusion process.
Fine Mesh Strainer or Cheesecloth: This helps to filter out the anise seed oil from the infusion mix.
Dark Glass Bottle: This is for when the infused oil is ready for storing. The dark glass protects the oil from the degrading properties of sunlight.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Anise Oil
With this easy-to-use guide, you’ll be creating beautiful-smelling and highly effective anise oil blends in no time.
1. Prepare the Ingredients
Thoroughly clean a glass jar and any and all tools and utensils you will use during the process. Afterward, measure out the desired amount of anise seeds accordingly. This is entirely based on the amount of oil you wish to make.
A solid ratio to adhere to is one part anise seeds to four parts carrier oil if you need a reference to start with. Adjust according to personal tastes.
2. Combine Anise Seeds With Carrier Oil
Place the anise seeds into the glass jar, and then pour your carrier oil of choice over them until the seeds are completely submerged. After that, seal the jar, making sure the lid is snug tight as it is detrimental to have air hit the oil during the infusion process.
3. Start the Infusion Process
Store this mixture in a cool, dark place away from the sun’s rays. A pantry, cupboard, or even a closet can work wonders for this.
Allow this mixture to infuse at least 1-2 weeks, and be sure to shake the jar every day to keep this process going. The longer this infusion period, the stronger the aroma the anise oil will be. If you want maximum strength, then opt for an infusion process of 3 weeks or more.
4. Strain the Oil
After the desired infusion time has passed, obtain a fine mesh strainer or a cheesecloth and put it in a clean, sanitized container. Pour the infused oil mix through the strainer or cheesecloth to separate the seeds from the oil itself.
Now you need to press gently on the strainer or cheesecloth as it is separating the oil from the seed matter to get as much oil out of the mix as possible. Gentleness is crucial, however, as you don’t want to get any of the seed debris into the newly strained oil.
5. Bottle and Store
Transfer the newly strained anise oil into a dark glass bottle. A funnel is a good way to ensure you don’t spill any of the precious oil. Afterward, seal the bottle tightly with an appropriate lid and label the bottle with the date of preparation accordingly.
When stored in a dark, cool place in your home, the anise oil can last for several months if not a year.
Additional Tips
Feel free to experiment with different carrier oils to unlock various new scents and therapeutic properties. The only limit here is your imagination, ultimately. Another interesting hack you can do is lightly toast the anise seeds before the infusing process to intensify the flavor of the oil even more.
How to Enjoy Homemade Anise Oil
Once you’ve created your very own anise oil, the possibilities are literally endless. You can add a few drops to baked goods like cookies, cakes, or breads for a swift hit of licorice flavor.
To create a unique twist for your meals, you can also incorporate it in savory side dishes, such as sauces, marinades, and salad dressings.
Also, anise oil can be used for various aromatherapy purposes. Diffusing it in your home to create a calm, soothing atmosphere, or add it to a massage oil of your choice for on-the-spot stress relief.
Finals Thoughts on how to Make Anise Oil at Home
Making anise oil on your own is a simple yet rewarding pastime that allows you to harness the benefits of this wonderfully fragrant herb in many different aspects of your home life.
Whether you are looking to infuse various baked goods with a light, licorice-like essence or immerse yourself in the benefits of aromatherapy, homemade anise oil is a versatile and easy-to-make solution for your holistic health needs.
That said, if you are strapped for time or energy and don’t think you can make your own anise oil anytime soon, then we recommend purchasing from a supplier like Wholesale Botanics. Anise is just one of many essential oils they have in stock.
Additionally, they are all 100% certified as pure essential oils via a rigorous analysis process, so you know you are getting nothing but quality with each bottle. Just make sure if you go this route to only use the anise essential oil for aromatherapy, as it is too concentrated for internal/culinary use. However, if you want an essential oil that’s suitable for your body, Batana Oil is a great choice for your skin and hair.
We hope to see some quality homemade anise oil blends from you soon!
