Even the Greek scholar Pythagoras was enthusiastic about anise bread, and the Roman poet Virgil found much to appreciate in anise cookies. Anise is a popular plant in the Mediterranean region that not only tastes good, but can also alleviate various ailments, for example in the gastrointestinal area. It has many uses and is one of the classics in herbal medicine.
It is not without reason that anise was named Medicinal Plant of the Year 2014. We find anise used as a spice in liqueurs, schnapps, and baked goods. Its botanical name is Pimpinella anisum, and it belongs to the parsley family (Apiaceae).
What anise looks like
Anise is an herbaceous, annual plant. It grows up to 60 cm in height; the stem is hairy and sometimes very branched. All parts of the plant are highly aromatic. The plant blooms in summer, with its white flowers arranged in compound umbels. By late summer, the fruits—a few millimeters in size and known as cremocarps—are ripe. They are dry, taste sweet, and are slightly hairy. Anise is often confused with star anise, but star anise has a more intense flavor.
Ingredients found in anise
Anise is strongly aromatic. This is due to its high content of essential oil, which is found primarily in the fruits. They contain up to 90% anethole and a small proportion of estragole, as well as fixed oil and proteins.
Where does the anise plant come from?
Pimpinella anisum originally comes from the Mediterranean region. However, because it is used in a variety of industrial applications, there are large cultivation areas in Southern Europe, the Near East, India, and Southern Russia.
What it is used in
In addition to its long tradition as a medicinal plant, anise is an important component in the luxury food and fragrance industries. There, it is primarily used as a base or element for various liqueurs or spirits such as ouzo and pastis. In bakeries, the fruits are used as an ingredient for rolls and cookies; it is particularly used as a spice in Christmas baking. The taste is sweet to spicy, similar to licorice.
How anise works
The essential anise oil irritates the bronchi. This loosens stubborn mucus and supports its removal. Thus, anise can alleviate cold symptoms and accelerate the recovery process. And there is another area of application for anise: colic or digestive problems. Tea with anise also stimulates digestion, helps with flatulence, and is antispasmodic, especially in combination with caraway and/or fennel.
Things to keep in mind with anise
In individual cases, allergic reactions of the skin, respiratory tract, and gastrointestinal tract may occur. Anise oil should not be used on infants or small children. Since anise tea also contains estragole, larger quantities should not be consumed over a long period of time—especially by children or pregnant or nursing women. Anise oil should not be taken undiluted. Because anise fruits look very similar to the poisonous fruits of hemlock, harvesting them yourself is not recommended.
