The spice plant anise (Pimpinella anisum), insufficiently represented in our country, is widely used in Spain, Italy, Greece, Bulgaria and Russia. Due to its pleasant smell and taste, anise was known to the ancient Egyptians three and a half thousand years ago. In ancient times, it was used in Greece for aromatization of wine, and then the Romans transferred it to Tuscany, from where it spread further across Europe.
Anise is also widely used in the cake and confectionery industry, cosmetics and liqueur production. There are liqueurs and brandies with the scent of anise in the world, among which the most famous are French perno, Turkish raki, Greek ouzo and Macedonian mastic.
Like most other herbs, anise has healing properties. Medicinal parts of the plant are the fruit, ie mature seeds, which contain essential and fatty oil, proteins, carbohydrates. The dominant ingredient in the essential oil is transanetol, which has a specific aroma and sweet taste. It has vitamins A and C, folic acid, as well as minerals calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium.
Anise seeds act against bloating, soothe cramps, strengthen the stomach and speed up digestion. To eliminate nausea caused by too much fatty food, strong spices or fried foods, you should drink anise tea three to four times a day. In anise tea, prepared in the usual way, add half a teaspoon of honey and a fresh mint leaf.
Proponents of folk medicine recommend anise seeds as an effective means of cleansing the blood and strengthening the nerves. It is also recommended for clearing the accumulated mucus from the lungs, stomach, urinary bladder and kidneys, but also for regulating irregular menstruation. It is also recommended for people who suffer from insomnia.
Anise essential oil has long been used to reduce appetite. Also, the oil has been shown to be successful in promoting circulation and removing cellulite. However, care should be taken not to keep the essential oil in the light and air, because thus exposed, it loses the important ingredient anethole. Therefore, those who are well acquainted with its useful ingredients advise that it is best to use fresh oil.
The pleasant scent gives anise the substance anethole, which is the main component of anise essential oil. This substance has sedative effects and has a disinfectant effect. Anise is highly recommended for women’s affairs as it regulates menstrual problems, facilitates childbirth and alleviates the symptoms of menopause.