The health benefits of Anise can be attributed to its properties as an anti-
Epileptic, anti-
Hysteric, anti-
Rheumatic,
Anti-Septic, anti-spasmodic, aperient,
Carminative, cordial,
Decongestant,
Digestive,
Expectorant,
Insecticide,
Sedative,
Stimulant and
Vermifuge substance.
Since ancient times, anise has been in use as a spice and flavoring agent for food stuffs and beverages. It is also employed to flavor liquors. In India and certain other countries, anise is also used as a mouth freshener and
Digestive agent. The medicinal properties of this herb were known long ago in ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. The essential oil of anise is extracted by steam distillation of dried fruits of anise, or Pimpinella Anisum, as it is known in botanical terminology, which yields a thin and clear oil of which Anethol is the prime constituent, consisting of about 90 percent of it and is also responsible for its characteristic
Aroma. The other constituents are alpha pinene, anisaldehyde, beta pinene, camphene, linalool, cis & trans-anethol, safrol, and acetoanisol.
Anti-
Epileptic & Anti-
Hysteric: Since anise essential oil has a narcotic and
Sedative effect, it can calm down
Epileptic and
Hysteric attacks by slowing down
Circulation,
Respiration and
Nervous response, if administered in higher dosages. This is contrary to its stimulating and cordial properties, which are shown when administered in lower dosages. It is found effective in sedating
Nervous afflictions, hyper reactions and
Convulsions as well. This property has been known and utilized for a very long time. However, this property should be used with caution, as heavy dosages can have adverse effects, particularly in children.
Anti
Rheumatic: This oil can give relief from
Rheumatic and arthritic
Pains by stimulating blood
Circulation, and by reducing the sensation of
Pain in the affected areas.
Anti-Septic: This essential oil also has
Anti-Septic properties and give
Wounds an effective protective layer against
Infections and sepsis. This aids in the faster healing of
Wounds.
Antispasmodic: Situations or ailments caused by
Spasms are
Cramps,
Coughs, aches,
Diarrhea,
Nervous afflictions and
Convulsions.
Spasms are an excessive contraction of the
Respiratory tracts,
Muscles,
Nerves,
Blood vessels and internal organs that result in severe
Coughs,
Cramps,
Convulsions, obstructed blood
Circulations, aches in the
Stomach and
Chest and other symptoms. The essential oil of anise, being a relaxant and an anti-spasmodic by nature, relax these contractions and give relief from the ailments mentioned above.
Aperient: This oil has mild
Purgative properties, but is safe to use. Unlike other synthetic or harsh
Purgatives, it is not hard on the
Stomach and
Liver and does not leave you exhausted. When taken in low dosages, it helps clear motions and cures
Constipation, resultant
Flatulence, and in
Digestion.
Carminative: Only those who are suffering from gas know what a relief it is to get rid of it. Gas is not funny at all. It is a very serious ailment and must be treated in a timely manner. It gives rise to in
Digestion,
Flatulence, acute
Chest Pain,
Stomach aches,
Muscular Cramps and
Pains,
Rheumatism in the long run, heaviness,
Hypertension and even problems like
Hair loss and reduction of
eyesight, if it becomes chronic. Anise essential oil promotes the removal of gases and as a
Digestive, it does not let it form, as in
Digestion is the cause of excess gas.
Cordial: The warming effect of this oil on the
Respiratory and the circulatory systems makes it a cordial. This property helps counter
Colds, the deposition of phlegm, and problems like
Rheumatism and
Arthritis.
Decongestant: This oil of anise is very effective in clearing
Congestion in the
Lungs and the
Respiratory tracts for conditions like
Asthma and
Bronchitis.
Digestive: This property of anise and anise essential oil is very commonly used to promote
Digestion. It has been an old practice to chew Anise seeds, to serve desserts containing Anise, or to have a glass of warm water with few drops of anise essential oil in it to aid
Digestion, especially after a heavy meal or a feast.
Expectorant: This oil is really remarkable as an
Expectorant and this property earned it an impressive reputation. It loosens
Mucus or phlegm deposited in the
Lungs and
Respiratory tracts and gives relief from
Cough, heaviness in the
Chest, breathing troubles,
Asthma,
Bronchitis,
Congestion and other
Respiratory disorders. Due to the presence of this essential oil in the seeds, the seeds are used for smoking to loosen
Catarrh or phlegm.
Insecticide: The essential oil of anise is toxic to
Insects and smaller animals, therefore its smell keeps
Insects away. For this reason, this oil can be employed to drive away
Insects by using it in fumigants, vaporizers, and sprays.
Sedative: Due to its somewhat narcotic or numbing effects, it is used as a
Sedative for
Anxiety,
Nervous afflictions,
Depression, anger, and
Stress as well as for symptoms such as
Insomnia due to its tranquilizing and relaxing effects. This effect is particularly visible when it is used in higher dosages, since in very small doses, it acts as a
Stimulant. However, the utmost care should be taken while administering it in heavy doses, keeping in view its narcotic effects.
Stimulant: The stimulating property of anise essential oil can benefit us in the following ways. It can stimulate
Circulation and give relief from
Rheumatism and
Arthritis, stimulate secretion of
Enzymes and
Hormones, thus boosting the whole metabolism and finally, it can stimulate the
Nervous system and the brain to make us more active and
Alert.
Vermifuge: This is yet another aspect of its
Insecticidal property. It can kill
Worms found in the
Intestines. This property can be particularly beneficial for children, as they are most commonly afflicted with intestinal
Worms.
Other Benefits: It can be used to treat
Colic,
Flatulence, and
Pectoral affections.
A Few Words of Caution: In heavy doses, it has narcotic effects and slows down
Respiration and
Circulation. It is
Poisonous to certain small animals and birds and therefore children should not be given high doses. Furthermore, it may cause irritation to certain
Skin types. It is best to avoid it during
Pregnancy. It may also aggravate certain types of
Cancers caused due to its effect on the
Estrogen Hormone.