Scientific Name - Pimpinella anisum

Properties - Expectorant, antimicrobial, digestive aid, carminative, breath freshener, mild estrongenic, insecticide, antispasmodic, antiseptic aromatic, diuretic, galactagogic

Common Uses - Anise seed tea -- crush seeds, steep a teaspoon in a cup of hot water. Found in commercial cough medications and candies. May be added to foods when cooking to flavor and aid digestion. Combined with fennel and caraway, may alleviate flatulence.

Parts Used - Seeds containing essential oil, creosole, alpha-pinene, anethole

Locating & Handling - Purchase anise seeds at grocery store. May grow the plants outdoors by sowing from seed. Harvest seed heads when ripe.

Caution - Generally considered safe but may have effects common to estrogenics such as headache, blood clotting, breast cancer. Note: Japanese Star Anise is not the same herb -- it is poisonous.

Origin - Originally from Egypt. Used in ancient Greece and Rome.