Anise a very popular herb in the ancient Chinese and Indian Ayurvedic medical systems for many centuries. There are many different varieties of aniseed. The most common variety is the ash colored kind from Spain. Anise also known as aniseed, pimpinel seed, and sweet cumin, is a plant that produces seeds that are used in both herbal medicine and aromatherapy. This sweet smelling herb is also commonly used to flavor foods and liqueurs.This herb is native to Egypt. The Romans used it in medicine and also in a cake which was possibly the forerunner of the wedding cake. Anise can only be grown by seed.Anise has very long tap roots and therefore is not suitable for container growing unless in a very deep pots. In the Mediterranean region and in Asia, aniseed is commonly used in meat and vegetable dishes. It makes a soothing herbal tea and has been used medicinally from prehistoric times. The essential oil content is about 2.5 percent, and its principal component is anethole. The essential oil is used to flavour absinthe, anisette. It is a good remedies ForImproves memory, get rid of oily skin, calm coughs, increases milk production for nursing mothers and serve as a natural antacid.Commercially, it is very popular as a fragrance and a flavoring. It is very effective as a carminative (to relieve gas pains).it can be Used as a cough remedy, bronchitis, asthma, as a digestive aid, may be used for relieving menopausal discomforts, treating some form of prostate cancer in men. It may have potential in treating hepatitis and cirrhosis, although tests are being conducted on this. Anise is used in many kinds of cake, pastry and confectionery and some types of cheeses and bread. Anise oil is extensively employed for flavoring many beverages, both alcoholic and non-spirituous.Anise oil is a good antiseptic and is used, mixed with oil of Peppermint or Gaultheria (Wintergreen) to flavour aromatic liquid dentrifrices.Oil of Anise is used also against insects especially when mixed with oil of Sassafras and Carbolic oil. anise is a safe herb to use but due to its trans-anethole estrogen-like action, it may be best avoided during pregnancy or when suffering from endometriosis or any estrogen dependant cancers. Safety: USA: Generally recognized as safe Canada: approved as an over-the-counter drug France: Traditional Medicine Germany: Commission approved as an over-the-counter drug. Many herbalists recommend anise as a remedy for morning sickness during pregnancy, it is not recommended for use during pregnancy. If your physician recommend against taking any birth control pills, avoid using anise as it has some estrogen activity. Estrogen may contribute to migraine headaches and abnormal blood clotting and promote the development of certain types of brain tumors. FDA considers anise as generally safe if used as recommended for otherwise healthy, non-pregnant, non-nursing adults. High doses of anise oil (several teaspoonfuls) may cause nausea and vomiting. Use only in consultation with your doctor.

Anise recipes