Health benefits of Anise seeds

Author:
lex123
Updated:
Aug 1, 2015

Anise Seeds

Since ancient time Anise seeds have been in use for various medical purposes, all over the world. Scientifically they are known as Pimpinella Anisum. Anise is a herbal flowering plant and grows about 3 ft high, and has simple leaves. The seeds are very small, slightly bigger than jeera. (cumin seeds). Anise is a native of eastern Mediterranean and South West region of Asia.

Anise seeds are also known as anieseeds, sweet cumin and hua-sian.

Source:
OttawaAC, CC-BY-SA-3.0, wikimedia commons

Other names of Anise Seeds

Anise seed in Hindi - Choti saunf, Patli saunf, Saunf, Saumph, Vilayati saunf, Suvva.

Sanskrit -shatapushpa

Bengali - Muhori,

Gujarati - Anisi or Sowa,

Kannada - sompu,

Marathi - somp,

Oriya - sop,

Telugu - kuppi sopu,

Malayalam - Perumjeerakam,

Tamil - Chombu

Properties of Anise seeds

The main component that gives the characteristic sweet, aromatic flavor to anise is anethole, the essential volatile oil present in the seeds.

Estragol, and p-anisaldehyde, are also found in these seeds which anise alcohol, acetophenone, pinene and limonene.

100 g dry anise seeds contain 36.96 mg or 462% daily requirement of iron..

Health Benefits of Anise Seeds

Aniseeds are easily available in all kitchens, and they are used in many home remedies.

Anise seeds are mainly used for digestive health, by helping to maintain the proper functioning of the digestive system. . These simple seeds are useful in treating various discomforts such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, spasmodic flatulence, gastritis, regular bowel movement etc.
For women's health, Anise seeds are very useful for women to control menstrual cramps..
For nursing mothers, the anethole content of anise seeds, helps stimulating milk production.
For the maintenance of oral health, the antibacterial and antimicrobial elements of Anise seeds help fight bad breath and hence it is used as an effective mouth wash.
As an expectorant to maintain good respiratory health, anise seeds are very helpful. It loosens phlegm in the lungs and throat, thus is helpful to manage asthma. This little herbal plant is also useful in treating some of the problems like flu, bronchitis, pneumonia, sinusitis, etc.
Anise seeds are also helpful for keeping good skin health. It has one of the best antibacterial properties. They are helpful in treating scabies and lice.
.For cataract patients, anise seeds are very helpful.

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Chemical Composition of Anise Seeds


Moisture	9-13%
Protein	18%
Fatty oil	8-23%
Essential oil	2-7%
Sugars	3.5%
Starch	5%
N free extract	22-28%
Crude fiber	12-25%
Ash	6-10%
Choline is also present

How to use anise seeds?

Romans used anise seeds for the preparation of spicy cakes known as 'mustaceus'.
Egyptians used anise seeds in the bread.
Greeks used this herb for the calming influence in the treatment of digestive disorders.
Turkey - used these seeds to prepare an alcoholic drink, called 'raki'.
Indians used anise seeds for breath sweetener.
Cataract - 6 grams of anise seeds, taken in the morning and evening daily, for cataract patients. Make a mixture of anise seeds, coriander seeds, unrefined sugar in equal parts. 12 grams of this mixed powder is taken both in the morning and evening.
Insomnia (Sleeplessness) - Water boiled with Anise seeds can be used for drinking purpose. One teaspoon of anise seeds can be added to threeo cups of water and boiled, simmer it for few minutes with a closed lid, and then strain it. This water is taken immediately after dinner or while going to bed, which induces sleep. While drinking, honey can be added to enhance its taste, if needed. .This method is also useful for digestive disorders.
Oil extracted from anise seeds is also used. For muscular pain, rheumatic pain, bronchitis, whooping cough, indigestion, and flatulence, anise seed oil is useful.
Few drops of anise seeds oil on a handkerchief help migraine and vertigo sufferers by smelling it.

Where to buy anise seed essential oil?

Precautions and Side effects of Anise seeds

Though anise seeds are very useful in our daily life, during pregnancy the use of these seeds to be avoided.

In some people, anise seeds can cause skin allergies, and hence such people should avoid the use of these seeds.

Summary

Anise seed is known in many different names.
There are several medicinal uses of anise seeds in our daily life.
How anise seeds are used.
Risk factors of taking anise seeds to be noted.

Disclaimer

The information provided in this hub is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your physician, or health care provider before taking any home remedies, supplements or starting a new health regime.