Anise ordinary is one of the most common spices of ancient Russian cuisine. In the years leading up to the First World War, the Russian Empire was its main exporter on the international market.
Anise is a seasoning, as they say, for an amateur. Its fragrant aroma is somewhat specific, but, nevertheless, has long and been widely popular in the culinary cultures of almost all countries. It gives dishes a warm, but at the same time fresh shade, it is added to non-alcoholic and spirits (Turkish anise vodka raki and Italian sambuca are well known), baked goods, sweets, meat and fish dishes, marinades for vegetables.
In addition to its gastronomic qualities, this plant also possesses valuable medicinal properties. Many medicines are prepared from its seeds, the most famous of which are ammonia-anise drops, a breast elixir and, in fact, essential oil.
All the properties of the common anise plant are due to the essential (4-6%) and fatty (up to 30%) oils, organic acids and protein compounds (about 20%) contained in its seeds. Anise is used in the form of decoctions, infusions, teas, aromatic mixtures, inhalations and baths.
Anise is a honey plant, the flowers of the plant contain up to 60% nectar. Anise honey is extremely healthy and has a good taste and aroma.
To make tea from the fruits of anise, you need to take a few peas, pour a glass of boiling water over them, leave for 5 minutes. You can add honey and / or a mint leaf to your drink.
To prepare anise infusion 1 tsp. seeds need to be brewed in a glass of boiling water. Let it brew for half an hour. The infusion is good for coughing, has a disinfectant effect on the oral cavity, promotes sputum discharge, and freshens breath.
Anise essential oil, obtained by steam distillation of fruits, consists mostly of anethole (about 80%). It also contains methylchavicol (10%), anisic acid (1, 2%), anisic aldehyde (about 2%), fellandrene, pinene, anisketon.
Many people get acquainted with the beneficial effect of this spice in infancy, because it relieves colic and stimulates lactation in nursing mothers. The antipyretic and expectorant properties of anise are no less significant in the treatment of seasonal respiratory diseases. Its use improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, eliminating constipation, nausea and the effects of food poisoning. The sedative effect is manifested in a decrease in the excitability of the heart muscle, a decrease in tachycardic phenomena, and the normalization of sleep.
The plant's preparations have a diuretic effect, stimulate appetite, relieve hangover symptoms. The essential oil contains phytoestrogen, regulates the functioning of the reproductive system in both women and men, therefore it is used to treat menstrual pain, infertility and increase libido. Harmful against skin parasites, including mites and lice.
In everyday life, anise has found not only culinary use. Its essential oil is used in repellent formulations, and in itself it is an excellent remedy for mosquitoes, moths, flies and cockroaches.
Anise has a rejuvenating effect on the skin of the face: it refreshes and evens out the color, increases elasticity and strengthens the contours. In hair care products, it has a firming effect on the follicles, stimulating active growth.
