Aniseed is the fruit of the annual anise plant of the parsley family Umbelliferae. It grows up to 60cm in height and is umbelliferous in appearance with leaves varying in shape from heart-shaped to feathery. The fruits are covered with short hairs and each contains two dark seeds with light ribs.

Revered by ancient civilizations, particularly in the Middle East, Aniseed has long been used in cooking and in bread-making. The Romans hailed it as an aphrodisiac, and in India, the seeds are still chewed to sweeten the breath. It is widely used as a spice in cooking, and as an ingredient in toothpastes and mouthwashes. Aniseed oil is very popular amongst soap-makers because the fresh spicy scent eliminates the smell of onions and fish on the hands when used by cooks, and masks the odor of humans when used by fishermen and hunters.

Aniseed was a highly prized commodity in ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. The Greeks used the seeds for the treatment of coughs, colds and even bad dreams. Commonly used as a domestic spice. In Turkey a popular alcoholic drink, is made from the seeds. In Tibetan medicine a blend of aniseed and nutmeg oil is used in a lotion for anxiety, depression and other neurotic systems.

Aniseed Essential Oil has a spicy-sweet characteristic scent. The oil is very potent and not to be used on sensitive skin.

Aniseeds sown directly into the ground seed 1/2 inch deep outdoors in spring; this spindly plant needs protection from winds and plenty of sunshine to promote healthy growth. Add fertilizer only if the soil is extremely poor, and add lime if the pH is very acidic; Water regularly in hot, dry weather, preferably in late afternoon or evening to avoid scorching the plant. 

Anise is a licorice-flavored, star-shaped fruit grown in China, Vietnam and Japan that is picked before ripening, and then dried as a spice. The flavor has a slightly bitter quality and is more potent than the regular anise seed more often used in the West.

Benefit & Uses: Aniseed is considered to have antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, carminative, diuretic and expectorant, galactagogue, stimulant and stomachic properties. Additionally, it is reputed to control the lice and itch mite.

Aniseed provides the basis for its internal use to ease griping, intestinal colic and flatulence. It also has an expectorant and anti-spasmodic action and may be used in bronchitis, in tracheitis where there is persistent irritable coughing, and in whooping cough. Aniseed has been demonstrated to increase mucociliary transport and so supporting its use as an expectorant.

 

It has mild estrogenic effects, thought to be due to the presence of dianethole and photoanethole, which explains the use of this plant in folk medicine to increase milk secretion, facilitate birth and increase libido.

Anise enjoys considerable reputation as a medicine in coughs and pectoral affections. In hard, dry coughs where expectoration is difficult, it is of much value. It is greatly used in the form of lozenges and the seeds have also been used for smoking, to promote expectoration.

Its leaves can be used fresh or dried and the oil can be extracted through distillation. Fresh or ground dried leaves have many applications in sweet or savory dishes and teas.

All over the world it is used for everything from ringworm to stomach ailments. It has that licorice aroma that is helpful just from inhaling the vapors in aromatherapy style, but is useful for much more. 

 

Because of its high knothole content, Aniseed is considered to have antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, carminative, diuretic, and expectorant properties. Additionally, it is reputed to control lice and itch mite.