Anise

Aniseeds

Pimpinella anisum, also called aniseed, is a flowering plant in the family Apiaceae native to the eastern Mediterranean region and Southwest Asia. Its flavor has similarities with some other spices, such as star anise, fennel, and liquorice.

Anise plants grow best in light, fertile, well drained soil. The seeds should be planted as soon as the ground warms up in spring. Because the plants have a taproot, they do not transplant well after being established, so they should be started either in their final location or transplanted while the seedlings are still small.

Anise is an herb. The seed (fruit) and oil, and less frequently the root and leaf, are used to make medicine.

Uses:
In foods, anise is used as a flavoring agent. It has a sweet, aromatic taste that resembles the taste of black licorice. It is commonly used in alcohols and liqueurs, such as anisette and ouzo.

Anise is also used in dairy products, gelatins, meats, candies, and breath fresheners.

There are chemicals in anise that may have estrogen-like effects. Chemicals in anise may also act as insecticides.

Anise is used for upset stomach, intestinal gas, “runny nose,” and as an expectorant to increase productive cough, as a diuretic to increase urine flow, and as an appetite stimulant. Women use anise to increase milk flow when nursing, start menstruation, treat menstrual discomfort or pain, ease childbirth, and increase sex drive. Men use anise to treat symptoms of “male menopause.” Other uses include treatment of seizures, nicotine dependence, trouble sleeping (insomnia), asthma, and constipation.
Some people apply anise directly to the skin to treat lice, scabies, and psoriasis.
In manufacturing, anise is often used as a fragrance in soap, creams, perfumes, and sachets.

The nutritional value of aniseed (per 100gms) is:
Energy: 337 Kcal
Carbohydrates: 50.02 g
Protein: 17.60 g
Total Fat: 15.90 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Dietary Fiber: 14.6 g

Aniseed is high in vitamins such as folates, niacin, riboflavin, vitamin A, and vitamin C. It is also an important source of potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, manganese and selenium. As a result, there are several health benefits of aniseed.

Health benefits of aniseed include:

The essential oils present in aniseed make it an ideal cure for flatulence and to remove phlegm and catarrh in the bronchial passageways.

Boil water and add a teaspoon of aniseed to it. Leave this to infuse overnight. Strain and drink first thing in the morning with a little bit of honey. This cures indigestion and stomach pain.

Aniseed causes the body to perspire more and encourages urination thereby helping the body to detoxify by eliminating waste.

When taken twice a day (morning and night) over a sustained period of time, aniseed powder can reduce cataract in the eyes.

The expectorant property of this herbs helps relieve asthma symptoms.

Aniseed tea made by boiling water and steeping aniseed in it is an excellent cure for insomnia. To make it more palatable, you can add either honey or hot milk. Have this before going to bed for a sound night’s sleep.

The fungicidal properties of aniseed can help get rid of and prevent head lice.

The anethole present in aniseed essential oil improves the production of breast milk.

Aniseed can also be used as a mouth freshener.

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