COMMON NAME: Anise Myrtle, Ringwood, Aniseed Tree

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Backhousia anisata

FAMILY NAME: Myrtaceae

INDIGENOUS COUNTRY: Australia

COUNTRY OF PRODUCTION: Australia

HISTORY INFORMATION: Nearly a century ago, the Anise Myrtle tree dominated the Bellinger Valley rainforests. Forestry and farming practices saw its numbers dramatically reduce since the 1800s. Settlers brought a tradition of farming with them that led to the depredation of rainforests. The rainforests of the costal regions were cleared extensively for farming. Only recently, with bush foods emerging as viable crops, local growers began replanting Anise Myrtle in the valley again.

GENERAL INFORMATION: Rare rainforest tree that is endemic only to the Bellinger and Kalang valleys of Australia's north eastern coast. Fossil eveidence of this tree dates back to 15 million years. Anise Myrtle is one of the highest known sources of the chemical compound Anethole, which gives it the aniseed/anise flavour and aroma.

DESCRIPTION OF PLANT: Tall rainforest tree (up to 50 meters) with dense foliage characterised by its Aniseed odour. Rough, corky brown bark with creamy white, fragrant flowes that appear in late spring and summer.

PARTS PROCESSED: Leaves

PROCESSING METHODS: Steam Distillation

COLOR RANGE: Pale yellow

CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS: Class: Phenol. Methyl chavicol (up to 80%), e-anethole, 1,8 cineole, a-pinene, a-farnesene

PHYSICAL ACTIONS AND USES: Antiseptic, antibacterial, antidepressant, antifungal, carminative, expectorant, insecticide, sedative. Uplifting and strengthening. Relieves symptoms of pms, and menopause.

MENTAL USES: It takes time and much repetition to become masterful. I know I have the ability to hold in there and endure until I have mastered. I take pride in the little things I do.

EMOTIONAL USES: Bored, tired, aimless, uncomfortable, enduring TO sense of accomplishment, feeling as if everything is going to fit into place, you know that your efforts will be worth something.

SPIRITUAL USES: Can indicate that you have lost sight of your goal. There are many menial chores in your life. You have a sense of doing the same thing over and over. Do I have to do that over again? Why? What is this all about? Things just seem boring. This oil reminds us of the Karate Kid when he was instructed to wax on and wax off. Paint up and down. Paint side to side. He got angry because he wanted to learn karate not paint a house or wax a car. His teacher showed him that he was building the strength and the reflexes to do karate. Anise Myrtle reminds you that what seems menial is only an part of that which you are about to master. Mastery is coming.

APPLICATIONS: Perfumery, culinary, bath, massage, diffusor, blending, vaporisor.

WARNINGS\CONTRAINDICATIONS: Do not use on damaged, or irritated skin. Can be toxic at high dosages.