What Are Anise Seeds?

Anise seeds are tiny brown seeds that taste similar to licorice. They are harvested from the anise plant, which is native to the Mediterranean. Anise plants are a member of the family of plants which also includes carrots, caraway, dill, and fennel. Anise seeds have medicinal benefits such as improving digesting, relieving gas and bloating, and decreasing congestion caused by excess mucus. Anise seeds are also used in many popular cooking recipes as a flavoring for foods ranging from alcohol to sausages and desserts.

Although anise seed has many chemical components that make it smell and taste similar to star anise, they are not the same spice. Star anise (Illicium verum) is occasionally used as a less expensive substitute for anise seed (Pimpinella anisum).

How to Use Anise Seeds (Common Uses)

Anise seeds can be taken internally as a tea, decoction, powder, capsules, or extract. Anise seeds are often used in cooking or baking to add a delightful licorice flavour. Visit our blog for herbal recipes and for more information on preparing anise seed.

Medicinal Uses and Benefits of Anise Seeds

Anise seeds are a powerful carminative herb, best taken after meals to relieve gas and bloating. Occasionally, small amounts of anise seeds tea may be used to relieve colic in infants.

The terpenes found in anise seeds act as a powerful expectorant, helping to relieve coughing and congestion. Anise seeds have antibacterial and muscle relaxing properties, making them an excellent choice to take during a cold to clear excess mucus and reduce coughing. Anise seeds are especially suited for hard and dry coughs.

Anise seeds have been used since at least the fourteenth century. In herbal remedies, anise seeds offer benefits not just as a spice with medicinal value, but also as an ingredient that can be used to mask unpleasant flavours from other beneficial herbs.

If given in the appropriate doses, anise seeds are safe for adults, children, and babies.

When heated, anise seeds release compounds that may provide a mild stimulant effect for some people.

Active Constituents in Anise Seed

Volatile oil, coumarins, flavonoid glycosides, phenylpropanoids, terpenes, lipids, fatty acids, sterols.