Common Names
Anise Seed, Aniseed
Botanical Name
Pimpinella anisum
Family
Apiaceae
Medicinal Uses
Aromatherapy, Colds, Congestion, Cramps/abdominal, Culinary/Kitchen, Digestion, Herbal Steam, Herbal Teas, IBS, Lice, Pet, Scabies
Properties
Abortifacient, Anodyne, Antibacterial, Aphrodisiac, Aromatic, Calm, Carminative, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Expectorant, Galactagogue, Nervine, Stimulant, Stomachic, Tonic
Parts Used
Seeds, essential oil
Constituents
choline, sugar, mucilage. the essential oil contains up to 90 percent anethole.
Habitat
Hot summers needed for seeds to ripen. Native to Eurasia and N. Africa
Side Effects
Anise seeds contain anethole, a plant hormone similar to human estrogen, that promotes menstruation, and lactation in nursing mothers. Narcotic in large doses and should not be used while pregnant and in young babies. The essential oil is for topical use only.
How to Prepare
1. Sweet and very aromatic, anise can be used in tea, or in baking and cooking, the taste compliments cookies, cakes, and pasta dishes.
2. For a simple anise seed tea, you can use either ground or whole seeds. Grounding or crushing the seeds will release more oil. You want to add about 2 teaspoons per 8 ounces of hot water. Let the tea steep for 10 minutes, then filter the beverage. Other medicinal herbs can be added to the simple anise tea as desired. Ginger root, honey, and lemon are popular and pair nicely with the licorice flavor of anise.
