Anise

Anisum vulgare Gaerth (sweet cumin)

Drinks and dishes with a refreshing aroma were very popular among the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. Freshness and a peculiar sweetish taste were provided by anise, or, as it is also called, berenets. Arnold of Villanova, in the Solerna Code of Health, noted:

Anise gives us better vision and a stronger stomach.

Sweet anise is undoubtedly much better in action.

In Russia, anise became known in the 30s of the 19th century and immediately won recognition. Zemstvo doctors prescribed it for women's diseases and severe swelling. In folk medicine, anise roots were an indispensable remedy for heart neuroses and skin diseases. If it was necessary to quickly cure a burn, crushed anise fruits were mixed with egg white and the affected area was smeared with this mixture. A decoction of the seeds was given to nursing women to drink to increase their milk supply.

The smell of anise is familiar to many from childhood. Ammonia-anise drops, most often used in pediatric practice for diseases of the upper respiratory tract, contain a large percentage of anise essential oil, which has a mild expectorant and anti-inflammatory effect.

Medicinal properties

1. It is used as an antiseptic and expectorant for cough, sore throat, flu, chronic bronchitis, laryngitis, tracheitis, bronchopneumonia, whooping cough, bronchiectasis. Relieves bronchial spasms, asthmatic attacks.
2. Improves gastric and pancreatic secretion, helps quickly eliminate the consequences of food poisoning, stimulates the motor function of the gastrointestinal tract, has a mild laxative effect, stimulates appetite, and reduces the formation of gases in the intestines. Reduces pain and restores peristalsis during intestinal colic.
3. Stimulates the functioning of the kidneys and liver, acts as a diuretic. Used in the treatment of hepatitis, bile, kidney and urolithiasis.
4. Effective for gastrointestinal disorders due to nervousness.
5. Helps restore voice.
6. Tones the heart, improves blood circulation.
7. Has an analgesic effect during painful periods.
8. In folk medicine, it is used as a diaphoretic for fever, as well as for women's diseases, inflammation of the gums, tonsils, loss of voice, burns, insufficient lactation, scurvy, dyspepsia of nervous origin, nervous vomiting.
9. It has a mild calming effect in cases of overexcitation, tearfulness (in children), stress and depression.
10. Regulates the water-fat balance of the skin, making it more elastic.
11. It has a detrimental effect on mosquitoes, lice, fleas, cockroaches, bedbugs, moths, lice, bird mites.

Dosage

Externally: 4-5 k. per 10 ml of vegetable oil.

Internally: 1 k. for 1 tsp. honey 2 times a day.

Baths: 4-6 k.

Inhalations: 2-3 k.

Compresses: 6-7 k.

Enrichment of cosmetics: 6-7 k. per 10 g of base.

Contraindications. Individual intolerance, increased blood clotting.

Note. The oil has a strong effect, so it can only be used in small doses. It is not recommended to regularly use internally as it may cause irritation of the gastric mucosa.