Native to the Mediterranean region, anise is a herb cultivated extensively in Central, South, South-East Asia and European countries.
The essential oil of anise is extracted through steam distillation of the plants dried fruits. The oil is thin and clear with Anethol as its primary constituent, which is the most powerful flavour component of the oil. The other constituents include alpha pinene, beta pinene, camphene, and safrol. Anise oil has a long history of being used as medicine and spice.
Commonly known Benefits
- Antiseptic: Anise oil has anti-septic properties and offers would effective protection against infections. This helps in faster recovery of the wound.
- Digestive: Anise essential oil promotes proper digestion. Age old practices include chewing anise seeds or taking desserts with anise or drinking a glass of water with a few drops of anise oil to support digestion especially after a heavy meal.
- Anti-rheumatic: The oil relieves pain from cramps, muscle pains and arthritis and rheumatism. The oil stimulates blood circulation thus reduces the pain in the affected area.
- Carminative: Anise oil relieves stomach disorders by clearing the gas. Anise oil promotes digestion and removes the gas.
- Anti-Epileptic: Two of the most important properties of anise oil are the anti-epileptic and anti-hysteric properties. The oil has sedative and narcotic effects and lowers down respiration, circulation and nervous response to calm down epileptic attacks.
- Antispasmodic: Anise oil is a well-known relaxant relaxing ailments such as cramps, coughs, convulsions, blood vessel spasms, muscle spasms, chest aches, stomach aches, and respiratory tract spasms.
- Insecticide: The essential oil of anise is toxic to smaller animals and insects. As mentioned above, anise was used a mice bait and pigeon poison. The oil can be used with fumigants, sprays and a vaporizer.
- Flavouring Agent: Anise seeds are used as a flavoring agent in confectioneries, food, liquor and beverages.
