ANISEED MYRTLE is the oil from the Australian subtropical rainforest tree, called Ringwood, which is very rare in the wild.

CONSERVATION STATUS:   2Rca:

2- The species has a natural range of less than 100 km

R - it is rare

c - it is conserved in a reserve

a – it is considered ‘adequately conserved’-  ie there are 1000 plants or more within  the reserve.

The plant thrives under these Optimum Conditions, which is why we anticipate that future research will determine Bellinger Valley Aniseed Myrtle oil to be not only sweeter and more robust, but also to contain a Natural Synergistic Complex  of organic compounds that cannot be replicated  outside of the Valley.

RINGWOOD LORDS

Written by Maree Blewitt

There is an old growth forest in the valley that few human eyes have seen.  Protected by its isolation and by National  Park & Wildlife Service regulation, this forest of Ringwood giants – some 40 metres tall and 5 metre around - is an ancient reminder of a former glory. 

These lush rainforest trees have evolved in one small valley in the world and exist, naturally, nowhere else.  Although there are several remnant populations in the valley, there is none so grand, so awe-inspiring, as the old growth forest.  The following poem by Evelyn Cadman, is an ode to this magical place.

FOREST OF ANISEED

Forest of Aniseed – stately and grand

Tucked away safely, away from demand

Fills the air with parochial scent

And carpet the floor with leaves that are spent.

Beautiful forest of medieval feel

Whispers of passing time and things that are real

Visions of otherworlds or a universe complete

In the palm understorey and ferns at your feet.

A precious place is this forest so rare -

Such a privilege to know it is there.

In an uncertain world of chaos and dilemma

This place creates the ultimate centre.

These rain loving, rainforests giants grow beside the waterways, dipping their roots into the cool waters and acidic soils on which they thrive.  Once Kings of the Valley, Protectors of the Waterways, the Ringwood Lords have a familiar scent of aniseed. How is this possible that different species from different parts of the world possess the same aromatic compounds? Evolutionary biologists would call it convergent evolution.  Nature works in mysterious ways and I, for one, will never cease to marvel at her wizardry.

Common to all aniseed-scented plants, such as Fennel and Aniseed from Europe, and Star Anise from China, is the organic compound, anethole.  Australia’s very own Ringwood (Anetholea anisata syn. Backhousia anisata, commonly known as Aniseed Myrtle) is particularly high in this compound.  Anethole has a sweet refreshing scent and is a stimulant with bactericidal properties.  A recent study cited in the September 2000 edition of the ‘Natural Health Review’ magazine, showed that Backhousia anisata essential oil inhibits the growth of several species of bacteria.

The aromatic potential of this rare Australian native was first investigated by the NSW Forestry Commission in the 1940s, when the war in Europe made European sources of anethole inaccessible. Sixty years later, this potential has been revived.

This is a hand-tended plantation grows side-by side with the wild creek-side trees in their natural habitat.  The trees are hand-harvested and distilled to yield a high quality pure essential oil that cannot be duplicated in conditions outside the natural range of this species.

Here is a feedback form our customer*: I was suffering from exhaustive, sleepless and painful dry cough… A few drops of Aniseed Myrtle on a pillow made a miracle – cough stopped within a minute, and I slept well till the morning. I repeated this procedure next day, inhaling Aniseed Myrtle and rubbing my chest with undiluted Blue Cypress - flu symptoms and bronchitis disappeared within a few days and there was no need in antibiotics. Actually I found this oil much more effective than, say, Aniseed or Star Anise.

* Please note: Aniseed Myrtle essential oil has not been evaluated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. Anecdotal evidence reports cannot be considered as therapeutic advice to treat, cure, or prevent any disease.  

Aniseed Myrtle potential applications:

The plants, rich in anethole, is considered to be:

• expectorant
• sedative and
• stimulant in cough medicines.
• antiseptic
• bactericide
• cancer-preventative
• carminative
• fungicide
• gastro stimulant