Green anise ( Pimpinella anisum ) is an annual aromatic plant, sometimes biennial, very fragrant, and decorative.
Native to the Mediterranean Basin and Egypt, anise was cultivated by the Egyptians more than 4000 years ago and already recognized for its digestive properties.
Today, green anise has many therapeutic indications.
Anise and its health benefits
- Recognized for its antispasmodic effects, anise is recommended to treat difficult digestion, bloating, and aerophagia. The infusion of anise (15 g of seeds per liter of water), to drink several times during the day or after the meal, clearly promotes digestion.
- Green anise helps reduce dyspeptic nervous disorders such as contractions of the digestive organs, palpitations, dizziness, and a feeling of tightness after meals.
- Anise stimulates appetite, calms migraines, and fights general fatigue.
- Its soothing virtues make anise a good remedy against asthma, pulmonary congestion, pharyngitis, and bronchitis. The oil inhalations essential anise are also very effective against coughs and all the symptoms of colds.
- If you are breastfeeding, know that anise is a very effective galactogen. It increases the production of milk and also calms the colic of the infant.
- The essential oil of green anise is used in the treatment of irregular periods and all menstrual disorders.
- Be careful, used in excess, the essential oil of green anise is harmful to the nervous system. It can cause nausea, vomiting, and seizures.
Growing anise for its benefits
- Plant green anise in full sun, it needs heat! The soil must be light, rich in humus, and fresh.
- Sow from April to May and cover the seeds very lightly, which will emerge in just ten days.
- Anise seeds have a shelf life of three years. When sowing, always use fresh seeds.
- It is possible to grow anise in a pot, in 25 cm containers, but it will remain more compact than in the ground.
Anise in cooking for its benefits
- Anise seeds are used in the composition of pastries and confectionery, they are used in particular in making gingerbread, but they also deliciously flavor duck and fish.
- Green anise is also the essential element in the manufacture of a typically Provençal drink, pastis.
- In infusion, anise is very fragrant and helps digestion after a heavy meal.
- Avoid buying anise seeds in quantity, they do not keep very well and quickly lose their flavor.
