The perennial Anise is an ancient plant that was first discovered in ancient Egypt around 2000 BC. The plant usually reaches a height of up to 3 feet produces little brown seeds known as "aniseed" from late August to September.
The seeds include protein, starch, and up to 25% dietary fibre. Liquid accounts for the other 9 to 13% of the seed's weight.
Anise has long been utilized for both its medicinal and culinary properties.
Hippocrates stated that anise is effective in the cleansing of the respiratory and digestive systems. Though it is commonly used in cuisine, its sweet flavor has also been used for medicinal purposes as a treatment for stomach issues, gastrointestinal congestion, and various infectious diseases.
Research has shown that aniseed helps prevent or even treat the following health issues:
1. Digestion Problems
Anise is highly beneficial to the gastrointestinal tract. It is good therapy for digestion disorders since it improves digestive characteristics. It gives therapy for all digestive illnesses as well as assurance for healthy digestive system functioning. It is extremely effective for diarrhea, stomach discomfort, bloating, and constipation.
2. Sleeping Disorders
If consumed after supper or even before going to bed, aniseed tea is quite beneficial in the treatment of sleeping problems. It is important not to cook aniseed for too long since when the essential oil evaporates, the bulk of its medicinal properties are lost. Instead, if you want to make the flavor more appealing without losing the medicinal properties, add sugar to the mixture after the tea has been rapidly boiled and cooled.
3. Skin Problems
The oil extracted from the star anise plant is also used to treat skin problems. Traditionally, the oil has been used primarily to treat mild acne. Furthermore, star anise oil is toxic to many pests and has been used to treat flea infestations. Even while star anise may aid in the treatment of some skin ailments, never apply undiluted star anise oil to your skin as it may cause severe irritation. To reduce the possibility of pain, the oil should always be blended with lotions.
4. Fluctuating Blood Pressure
Anise oil helps to keep blood pressure in control and reduces the strain on the cardiovascular system. Furthermore, because the oil is purifying, it improves blood flow and maintains blood circulation. The oil stimulates and revitalizes the heart. People who suffer from hypotension are not recommended to use aniseed oil since it may cause a further drop in blood pressure.
5. Bacterial Infections
Aniseed extracts have been scientifically proven to inhibit the growth and spread of a variety of pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and fungal spores. It is considered to be useful in the prevention and treatment of bacterial infections and diseases caused by them.
Recent research has demonstrated the usefulness of anise extracts in inhibiting the spread of drug-resistant bacteria, implying that anise extracts might be a potential substitute for traditional antibiotics in poor countries, particularly Egypt. The combination of anise extracts with certain antibiotics results in a novel option for treating infectious illnesses.