Directions

1. Medicinal use:  The herbal tea made from the anise can help improve memory function, it can reduce or stop oiliness in the skin, and it can be used to calm down a nagging and persistent cough in patients.

   Anise seeds act to remove excess mucus in the gastrointestinal area.

   The anise is also used to increase the production of breast milk in nursing mothers and at the same time, it serves as a natural antacid and can be used to replace either Tums or Rolaids in the treatment of heartburn and indigestion in affected individuals.  Anise is famous for their ability to bring about a reduction in gas and bloating affecting a person, they are also able to settle the problems related to digestion. Remedies derived from anise seeds are very commonly used with infants and children to induce relief from cases of colic, and these remedies are also given to people of all ages to help in relieving the symptoms associated with indigestion and nausea arising as a result of different reasons.

   Another beneficial effect of the anise seeds, mainly their antispasmodic properties are very helpful in effectively dealing with the symptoms of menstrual pain, with the discomfort during asthma attacks, in the treatment of the whooping cough, as well as in the treatment of other spasmodic coughs, and cases of bronchitis in different patients. The use of these anise seeds derived remedies for their expectorant action is often suggested to treat these different respiratory ailments and disorders.

   The essential herbal oil is also a topical remedy, and it is used for the external treatment accorded to lice and to treat cases of scabies in patients.

   Note: It is suggested that the essential oil must be consumed by patients when they are under careful and responsible professional supervision. Women in the term of pregnancy must also abstain from taking anise, with the exception of minute amounts, such as those normally used during cooking.

2. These wonderful remedial benefits can be obtained by preparing anise herbal tea. Prepare this tea by bringing a quart of water to a boil using a pot or saucepan. When the water has begun to boil, you can then add about seven teaspoons of the herbal aniseed, and gently reduce the heat and simmer the content down to one pint or half a pint.  Following this, gently strain the liquid and add four teaspoons each of honey and glycerin- which can be obtained from a drugstore, and used to preserve syrup tea-while the water is still warm. To bring relief from hacking and persistent coughs, take two teaspoons of this syrup once about every few hours. This herbal syrup can also be used to strengthen memory functions, by taking two tablespoons thrice every day for a period of a few months. To treat skin problems drink two teaspoons of the herbal tea form-made by excluding the addition of glycerin and honey-once or twice every day, the herbal tea can also be used to fulfill milk needs and can be used to bring relief from stomach problems and other disorders associated with the digestive system.

   Or simply prepare as a tea by adding 3 cups boiling water (make sure to use filtered or spring water) to 2 heaped teaspoons of seeds and steeping it for at least 10 minutes or leave to cool completely.  The longer you leave it to steep the stronger the delicious taste will be. Refrigerate to make an ice tea for hot summer days.  Add honey to taste.  Can also add chamomile and fennel for a good 'milch bildung' tea during breastfeeding to allevate colic and good milk production.  Even calms the nerves and promotes sleep.

3. Culinary use: Anise seeds are used to flavour sweets - licorice, as well as in biscuits and rusks.  Follow links for recipes.  Also used in pickeling and sometimes together with sweet curry.

   

   Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
   (Mat 23:23)