Phenotypic
description of anise
Anise
is a herbaceous plant belonging to the genus “Pimpinella” of the
Apiaceae family. It is native to the eastern Mediterranean and southwest Asia.
The height of the anise plant reaches 90 cm or more. The leaves at the base of
the plant are simple and superficially lobed, while the higher leaves on the
stems are feathery, divided into many small leaflets. The flowers are either
white or yellow, produced in a dense tent. The dry, split, oblong fruit is
usually known as the anise seed.
Use anise in cooking
Whole
or ground anise seeds are used to prepare herbal teas [alone or with other
aromatic herbs]. They also used in the manufacture of many regional and ethnic
sweets. The uses of anise are not limited to sweets only. It is an essential
ingredient in the manufacture of Champurrado: Mexican atole de anis. Champurrado
is made from a cup and a half of water, cinnamon sticks, clove sticks, star
anise, 4 cups milk, 2 Mexican chocolate chips, 1 cup pinol [coarsely ground
cornmeal], And a pinch of ground piloncillo [a cone of raw, pure sugar cane
commonly used in Mexican cooking] or more as desired. Anise is also used as a
digestive after meals in India and Pakistan. It is also used to add good flavor
to Italian sausage and other meat products manufactured in Italy. Freshly cut
anise leaves are added to cheeses, sauces or salads, while the roots and stems
add a mild licorice flavor to soups and stews.
Health benefits of anise
- Relieves menstrual pain
Drinking
anise is used to relieve or reduce menstrual pain, and to obtain greater
benefit. It is recommended to eat a mixture of anise, saffron, and celery
seeds. Drinking anise also reduces the duration, frequency, and severity of hot
flashes that affect women after menopause during menopause. It also helps in
menstruation, reduces cramps, and increases breastfeeding milk production.
For more information about the health benefits of anise, watch the fattached video.
- Cough treatment
Drinking
one cup of a mixture of anise, German chamomile, saffron, fennel, caraway,
licorice, cardamom, and black seed reduces coughing and sleep discomfort in
people with allergic asthma.
- Treatment of gastrointestinal diseases
Syrup
containing a mixture of anise, fennel and elderberry is used to treat
constipation. Preventing stomach ulcers. It also reducs the symptoms associated
with them, such as: indigestion, vomiting, heartburn, and nausea. Anise syrup
reduces the secretion of stomach acids, which protects it from damage
- Treatment of depression
Anise
contains antidepressant properties that help in treating depression. Eating it
daily and regularly contributes to reducing the symptoms of postpartum
depression, depression associated with the treatment of irritable bowel
syndrome. It also reduces the symptoms of depression that range in severity
from mild to moderate.
- Treating infections
Anise
contains antibacterial and antifungal compounds, the most important of which is
anethole. Anethole makes anise useful in preventing infection with yeasts and
skin fungi. The fungi cause skin diseases. The presence of Anethole in anise
makes it useful in preventing the growth of several strains of bacteria. The bacteria
cause cholera.
- Treatment of diabetes
Anise,
as we mentioned previously, contains anethole. Anethole contributes to
maintaining a balanced blood sugar level, by changing the levels of many key
enzymes. It also enhances the function of pancreatic cells that produce
insulin.
- Treatment of skin diseases
Anise
oil contains compounds that contribute to eliminating head lice, by mixing it
with coconut oil and massaging it into the scalp. Another benefit of anise is
its use in treating scabies and psoriasis
- Benefits of anise for the skin
Anise
helps tighten the skin and give it a firm and smooth appearance. This reduces
wrinkles and makes the skin look youthful for a longer period of time. One of
the other benefits of anise for the skin is that it acts as a moisturizer.
Anise seed oil is added to Shea butter to make an anise skin mask, which
contributes to moisturizing the skin and makes the skin soft and smooth.
Anise
skin mask helps treat acne, because it contains antiseptic and
anti-inflammatory substances. Anise mask is also used regularly and
continuously to remove wrinkles, as anethole, which is present in anise, works
to fight skin aging, especially if there are fine lines and wrinkles on the
face.
One
of the benefits of anise oil for the skin is that it helps give the skin
freshness and glow, and helps it appear brighter.
How to use anise
Whole
anise seeds are used in recipes for cakes, desserts or drinks. It is also used
to prepare anise syrup by soaking it in hot water to make a delicious cup of
anise seed tea. As for anise oil, it can be used in making bread or used
topically on the skin
Harmful effects of anise and its side effects
Anise
may cause some side effects for some people. Some people may suffer from
hypersensitivity to anise, in addition to allergies to anise-like plants such
as asparagus, caraway, celery, coriander, dill, cumin, and fenugreek. Using
anise in large quantities may cause low blood sugar levels in patients who are
hypersensitive to anise. Therefore, attention should be paid to the symptoms of
low blood sugar in these patients. Low blood sugar may cause a real problem for
patients undergoing surgery, as it is difficult to control the blood sugar
level during and after the operation. Therefore, patients who suffer from
excessive sensitivity to anise are advised to stop using anise two weeks before
the appointment surgical procedure.
It
is also recommended not to use anise for patients who suffer from
hormone-related diseases,. such as patients with breast cancer, uterine cancer,
ovarian cancer, endometriosis, and uterine fibroids. This is because anise
contains estrogen-like compounds, which have an effect similar to estrogen.
References
https://ocd.lcwu.edu.pk/cfiles/Botany/BOT-513/MedicinalPlantsoftheWorld_ChemicalConstituentsTraditionalandModernMedicinalUsesPDFDrive.com.pdf
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/318504997_MEDICINAL_BENEFITS_OF_ANISE_SEEDS_PIMPINELLA_ANISUM_AND_THYMUS_VULGARIS_IN_A_SAMPLE_OF_HEALTHY_VOLUNTEERS
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