Latin name: Pimpinella anisumGenus: Umbelliferous plantFolk name: Anise Bibernelle, Anise, Bread Seed, Sweet Fennel, Round FennelPlant description: Annual herb, origin in the Orient, native to the Mediterranean region, where it is cultivated. The plant grows about 40 cm high, spindle-shaped root, round stem that branches at the top. Small white flowers arranged to an umbel which can have 7 to 15 rays. The fruits are roundish to egg-shaped (therefore also called round fennel). Already Charles the Great recommended the cultivation of anise.
Medicinally used plant parts
The ripe fruit.
Ingredients
Up to 3 % essential oils (anethole), oil, proteins, sugar and organic acids The fruits have a pleasant aromatic smell.
Curative effects and use of aniseed
Anticonvulsant, mucolytic, relieves flatulence, strengthens the stomach, promotes milk flow in nursing mothers. Anise is often the second choice or a supplement, caraway is more effective against flatulence, fennel is more effective against cough. However, aniseed tastes best of all three medicinal plants and it is therefore recommended to add aniseed to a tea blend as a flavour enhancer. In homeopathy, aniseed is used against lack of appetite, for diarrhoea in teething children, for flatulence, but also as a sedative. As drops (D1 or D2), 5 to 10 drops of anisum are usually given 3 to 5 times daily.
Preparation of aniseed
1 heaped teaspoon of aniseed fruit (crushed or ground in a mortar) is poured over with 1⁄4 l boiling water and strained after 10 minutes. Against cough one drinks 2 to 5 times a cup of it sweetened with honey. For flatulence, this tea is best drunk unsweetened before or after meals. It is also suitable for small children. Aniseed is also used in the kitchen as a spice for pastries, sauerkraut, coleslaw, preserves and fruit.
Combination with other medicinal plants
In case of flatulence for children and adults, a tea mixture is recommended: caraway fruits crushed 25.0 g /fennel fruits crushed 25.0 g /aniseed fruits crushed 25.0 g 1 heaped teaspoon of the mixture with 1⁄4 l boiling water, let it stand for 10 minutes, strain it and drink it with meals.
Side effect
Allergic reactions can occur on the skin, respiratory tract and digestive tract, but are very rare.