Anise Oil and Kids: How to Store It Safely

Anise oil smells like licorice candy, and that is exactly why it deserves a high shelf. We advise against using it on children, and we keep our guidance simple: store it well, keep it out of reach, and call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 if a child ever gets into a bottle.

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Why we say no to use on children

We do not use anise oil on children, and the regulators who have studied the plant agree on caution. The European Medicines Agency's herbal committee lists children and adolescents under 18 among the contraindications for anise oil, "because of the lack of data and the presence of estragole" (EMA/HMPC/321185/2012). That reasoning concerns oral products, but it shows how carefully experts treat young children when the data are thin. Poison Control makes a general point about essential oils too: children have "thin skin and immature livers" (poison.org).

So we give no child dose, and we do not suggest diffusing anise where infants and young children spend time. If you have questions about a particular child, a pediatrician is the right person to ask. Our oil is an external cosmetic and aroma product, and our safety basics post covers adult skin dilution.

Licorice smell, candy appeal

A small child cannot tell a baking flavor from a sweet, and anise oil smells like both. If the bottle sits near vanilla and almond extracts, it can look like part of the baking shelf. Keep it away from that shelf, and keep it in its original labeled bottle. If you want to bake, choose a flavoring labeled for food, as we explain in can you eat anise essential oil.

Candy smell, grown-up bottle

Older children are curious, and a bottle that smells like candy is interesting. A short, calm explanation works better than a mystery: this is a strong-smelling oil for grown-ups, it is not a sweet, and it lives on the high shelf. Say it once and then make sure the shelf backs you up.

A storage routine that works

High and out of sight. Children climb, so a high shelf in a closed cabinet beats an open one.
Lock it if you can. A small lockable box makes a big difference.
Keep the original bottle. Never move oil to a water bottle, spray bottle or food jar.
Keep it away from food. Do not shelve it with extracts, candy ingredients or tea.
Do not rely on the cap. Check the closure on the bottle you hold, and assume any bottle can be opened by a determined child.
Close it fully and wipe the neck after each use, so spills do not end up on counters.
Mind the bags. Purses, gym bags and diaper bags get opened. So do guests' bags.
Keep diffusers high. A plug-in unit low on a wall is within reach.
Retire old bottles. An oil that has been open for years is better recycled than kept; how anise oil ages explains what to look for.
Tell every adult. A grandparent who knows the rule keeps the plan working. Save 1-800-222-1222 in every phone.

Do a quick walk-through of your home

Storage plans work best when they match how your house actually runs. Stand in each room and look at it from knee height, then from the height of a toddler standing on a chair. Where do bags get dropped? Which drawer opens easily? Which shelf is reachable from the arm of the sofa? Move the bottle somewhere that passes that test, and do the same for any other oils, extracts or cleaning products that share its shelf. Do it again when a new baby starts crawling, or when grandchildren are visiting.

If something happens

If a child swallows any anise oil or gets it in the eyes, call Poison Control right away at 1-800-222-1222, or emergency services if the child is unwell. For skin contact, call Poison Control for advice on what to do next. A quick sniff of an open bottle is a different matter from a swallow, but a cough or any sign of discomfort deserves a call too.

Around the whole household

Pregnant or nursing members of the household have their own guidance, which we cover in anise oil during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Pets matter too, as aromas and bottles are easy for a curious animal to knock over, so the high shelf helps there as well.

Anise is a lovely oil for adults who enjoy a sweet, warm, licorice-like scent, and a few habits keep it that way. Reach out through our contact page with questions.