Parts Used
Properties
Common Uses
Locating and Handling
Caution
Origin
"Compound Spirit of Aniseed. (Spiritus Anisi Compositus. L.D.)
Take of aniseed, angelica seed, of each, bruised, half a pound; proof spirit, one gallon; water, sufficient to prevent empyreuma:
Draw off one gallon by distillation.
This compound spirit, like the simple ones, in an agreeable cordial; indeed they are too agreeable, for by some they are so
often resorted to, on the slightest sensation of flatulence in the stomach, that their use is attended with all the pernicious
consequences of dram-drinking. It may be added to purgatives to hinder their producing colicy pains in the bowels, in the
dose of from one to two drachms, or taken alone in some water to expel flatulency."
Seeds containing essential oil, creosole, alpha-pinene, anethole
Expectorant, antimicrobial, digestive aid, carminative, breath freshener, mild estrongenic, insecticide, antispasmodic, antiseptic
aromatic, diuretic, galactagogic
Anise seed tea -- crush seeds, steep a teaspoon in a cup of hot water. Found in commercial cough medications and candies. May be added to foods when cooking to flavor and aid digestion. Combined with fennel and caraway, may alleviate flatulence.
Purchase anise seeds at grocery store. May grow the plants outdoors by sowing from seed. Harvest seed heads when ripe.
Generally considered safe but may have effects common to estrogenics
such as headache, blood clotting, breast cancer. Note: Japanese Star Anise is not
the same herb -- it is poisonous.
Originally from Egypt. Used in ancient Greece and Rome.
