Anis is what? Composition and properties

Anise is one of the most ancient natural spices that people could cultivate. This annual plant reaching 50 cm in height came to us from Lebanon. It can be recognized by a branching stalk and small white flowers, which are wrapped in several leaves. The bicomponent ovoid fruit of the plant is a greenish-gray color.

Anise has unique healing properties. Even the ancient Romans added his seeds to food for the purification of the body. Also, the plant was used to refresh the air in the bedrooms to ensure a healthy sleep.

By the way, the same name is also used for the Anise apple tree , the fruits of which have excellent taste qualities, but in the article we will tell you only about spices.

Chemical composition of anise

The exceptional health properties of anise are due to its chemical composition. It contains a huge amount of substances useful to the human body: up to 18% of proteins, as well as fatty acids. Seeds of an annual plant have up to 23% of vegetable fats. The level of essential oil content in them can reach 6%. Essential oil contains 90% of anethole, which gives it a characteristic aroma.

How to procure an anise for consumption

In order to use all the useful and health-improving properties of the described plant, it must be properly harvested. To do this, an anise, a photo of which can be viewed in our article, is collected at the end of July. At this time, most of its fruits are already ripening.

In this case, it is necessary to pay attention to the color of the seeds, as well as their smell. Quality seeds have a strong aroma and light brown color. Anise seeds are usually dried in fresh air. If this is not possible, then the room with them must be well ventilated.

Useful properties of the plant

Anise essential oil, contained in fruits, has various health and preventive properties:

• Antipyretic;
• Anti-inflammatory;
• Antispasmodic;
• Diuretics;
• Diaphoretic;
• Disinfecting and disinfecting.

From this oil, medicinal infusions are prepared for the treatment of various diseases. So, the plant helps improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal system. The healing properties of anise normalize the work of the respiratory tract. Decoctions on anise seeds are recommended for use to improve the functionality of the kidneys.

In addition, anise is a natural remedy for improving lactation. That's why a decoction of the plant is recommended to all lactating women. By the way, anise is added to give a pleasant taste to medicines.

Anis (description of his qualities known since ancient times) healers recommended to chew their patients to chew to strengthen their teeth and improve their appearance. Also with the help of the plant, healers treated cervical erosion, problems with potency. Now the anise is popular both in official medicine and among adherents of treatment with folk remedies.

Another useful property of essential oil is that it is not tolerated by various insects, for example mosquitoes or bedbugs.

Contraindications to the use of anise

In some cases, the use of fruits of the plant is strictly prohibited:

1. During pregnancy.
2. In the presence of chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
3. With allergies to the grass.
4. Do not use for cosmetic purposes with deep skin or acne rash. In this case, it should be remembered that anise is a possible causative agent of skin diseases, for example dermatitis.

It is important to consider that as an anise drug should be used for a short time and strictly in the indicated doses. Any medicinal use of the plant should start with a small dose, if the reception occurs for the first time. If an allergic reaction or worsening of well-being on the next day is not observed in the patient, then a full reception can be appointed.

Medicinal infusions from anise

With various diseases for home treatment can make tinctures of the fruit of anise.

So, anis is an excellent assistant when coughing. With a long course of the disease, alcoholic infusion on this plant is prepared. To do this, mix anise with seventy-degree alcohol in a ratio of 1: 5. The resulting infusion is aged for 7 days. After this, it is necessary to strain the mixture. Keep the medicinal infusion better in the refrigerator. With prolonged cough, it is used up to 10 times a day for 10-15 drops.

Another cure for bronchial cough or sore throat is a quick infusion of anise seeds. For cooking 1 a spoon of the ground plant seeds is mixed with 1 glass of hot water. After the mixture is infused for 30 minutes, it is ready for use. One tablespoon of warm infusion is taken 3 times a day. This drug is also suitable for urolithiasis and flatulence.

With a chronic cough to infusion of water and crushed seeds of the plant, 1 tablespoon of honey is added. Use 2 full spoons of non-cold infusion 4 times during the day, before eating.

To treat colitis, you can prepare a decoction of pounded plant seeds. To do this, 1 teaspoon of seeds is poured into one glass of boiling water. The broth should be allowed to stand for thirty minutes. Then the infusion is filtered. To consume stands for one day in one sip.

To improve and normalize digestion is prepared infusion of 1 tablespoon of anise seeds, which must first be crushed. After that they are poured in 0.5 liters of boiling water. The resulting mixture is infused for about 1 hour. Expressed infusion is taken half an hour before eating, three times a day for half a glass. Such a decoction is also useful in flatulence.

Tinctures from the fruits of this amazing in their properties plants improve the labor of women. Many modern medicines for the treatment of diseases of the uterus contain anise, its properties are also marked by an increase in potency in men.

If 1 tablespoon is mixed with half a glass of hot water and allowed to stand for 15 minutes, this infusion will positively affect the vision. It is not consumed inside, but simply washed with eyes. This broth reduces the pressure inside the eye, prevents the development of cataracts. Anise tinctures are used to reduce stress, improve appetite, relieve depression and insomnia.

It is recommended to rinse the mouth with a seed decoction. It will help to get rid of an unpleasant smell, and also will prevent occurrence of a stomatitis and a oral thrush. With headaches or severe stress, you can chew the seeds of the plant. A mixture of seeds and egg white is also used for burns.

Anise in Cosmetology

Manufacturers of cosmetics have long used the useful properties of anise in the production of their facial and body care products. So, at home, you can use anise tinctures. And from the strong decoction of the seeds of the plant you can prepare ice cubes. Wiping their face, you can significantly improve the appearance of the skin, give it firmness and youth.

Anise tea

Tea from this amazingly useful plant is recommended for drinking with insomnia, depression, severe stress, and also with problems with the gastrointestinal tract. Aniseed tea is recommended for all lactating women. Due to its properties, it not only contributes to the allocation of a large amount of milk, but also makes it nutritious.

To make this beverage, whole plant seeds are used. One teaspoon of whole seeds is poured with one glass of boiling water. The tea will be ready when the mixture is infused for 10 minutes. Drink it should be in two stages.

Anise in Cooking

Ancient Romans liked to sprinkle seeds with cake plants - anise, baden gave a pleasant aroma to bread. This tradition has not been forgotten even today. Modern cooking also uses anise seeds. Sweet pastry, namely pies and cupcakes, acquires a surprising note of piquancy when adding this seasoning. Also it can be used in sweet salads, when making jelly or mousses. In addition, anise is added to the porridge.

The greenery of the plant is good for cooking hot meat and fish dishes. Dried flower umbrellas are often used for canning. Seeds of anise are added to some types of alcoholic products to give it an exquisite flavor.

Magic properties of the plant

According to ancient beliefs, twigs of anise drove off a bad dream, so they often attached to the head of the bed or left in the room bags with a plant. Anise perfectly refreshes the air, so you can use it in small quantities in the apartment.