Anise Health Dictionary

See Anís de estrella.... star anise

Anise. Pimpinella anisum. German: Anis. French: Anis. Italian: Anice. Spanish: Simiente de anis. Chinese: Huai-hsiang.

Malayan: Jira-manis. Dried ripe fruits.

Action: Carminative, Expectorant, Antispasmodic, Oestrogenic, Anti-parasitic.

Uses: Flatulence, dry coughs, whooping cough, tracheitis, bronchitis. Externally for scabies and lice infestation.

Preparations: Tea. 2 crushed seeds to each cup boiling water, taken hot. Spirit BPC (1949): 0.3-1.2ml in water or honey when necessary. For acidity, bad breath, infant spasms. Anise oil BP, dose: 0.05-0.2ml. ... aniseed

Anise tea is largely used both for culinary and medicinal purposes. It is an important ingredient in the pharmaceutical industry, proving itself useful in enhancing the supply of mother’s milk, but not only. Anise Tea description Anise is a sweet and strong-fragranced plant, known for its star-shaped fruits, harvested just before they ripen. It belongs to the same plant family as carrots, fennel and caraway. Due to its licorice flavor, it is usually added to candies, drinks and food. Anise could be added to mouthwashes and toothpastes, mainly to those found in the natural food stores. Anise tea is the resulting beverage from brewing this plant. Anise Tea brewing To brew Anise tea:

• Boil 1 1/2 cups of water with anise seeds
• Boil 1 1/2 cups of water (in another pot)
• Add the tea bags
• Steep them both (10 minutes)
• Strain anise water into the pot containing tea
• Pour into serving cups

Lemon and honey may be added (depending on the consumer›s taste). Anise Tea benefits Anise tea is a popular beverage, especially in the Middle East, where it is used to sooth a stomachache or to relieve intestinal gas. It can be administrated even to children. Anise tea has proven its efficiency in dealing with:

• the overall treatment of such respiratory ailments as colds, pneumonia, bronchitis and sinusitis
• an upset stomach and flatulence
• the treatment of colic
• loosen phlegm in the throat and lungs
• hiccups

Anise Tea side effects Anise tea is not recommended to pregnant and breast-feeding women. Rarely, Anise tea can cause allergic reactions. Consumers should watch for signs of rash, hives or swelling of the tongue, throat, lips or face. If any of these symptoms occur, stop using anise and ask your health care provider. Anise tea is a healthy choice for a balanced diet.This tea is best known as an adjuvant in the digestive processes and also, as an aid for respiratory problems.... anise tea: for digestion

Cake bush (Piper marginatum).

Plant Part Used: Leaf.

Dominican Medicinal Uses: The leaf is traditionally prepared as a decoction and taken orally for flatulence, indigestion and stomach pain.

Safety: No data on the safety of this plant in humans or animals has been identified in the available literature.

Contraindications: Insufficient information has been identified in the available literature.

Drug Interactions: Insufficient information has been identified in the available literature.

Clinical Data: No human clinical trials of this plant have been identified in the available literature.

Laboratory & Preclinical Data: The following biological activities of the essential oil or plant extracts have been demonstrated in laboratory studies using in vitro assays: antibacterial, antifungal and antiparasitic.

* See entry for Aniseto in “Part 3: Dominican Medicinal Plant Profiles” of this book for more information, including references.... aniseto

Cough Mixture. Active ingredients: Each 10ml contains Liquid Extract Pleurisy root (1:1, 35 per cent alcohol) 0.15ml. Liquid Extract Elecampane (1:1, 21 per cent alcohol) 0.15ml. Liquid Extract Horehound (1:1, 20 per cent alcohol) 0.15ml. Liquid Extract Skunk Cabbage (1:1, 21 per cent alcohol) 0.15ml. Tincture Lobelia (1:12.5, 5.8 acetic acid) 0.225ml, in a syrup base.

Adults and elderly: two 5ml teaspoons thrice daily. Children over 5: one 5ml teaspoon thrice daily.

Expectorant and demulcent to soothe irritable cough. (Potter’s, UK) ... horehound and aniseed

n. a condition in which the image of an object differs markedly in size or shape between the two eyes.... aniseikonia

Illicium verum

FAMILY: Illiciaceae

SYNONYMS: Chinese anise, illicium, Chinese star anise.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Evergreen tree up to 12 metres high with a tall, slender white trunk. It bears fruit which consist of five to thirteen seed-bearing follicles attached to a central axis in the shape of a star.

DISTRIBUTION: Native to south east China, also Vietnam, India and Japan. Mainly produced in China.

OTHER SPECIES: Several other related species, e.g. Japanese star anise which is highly poisonous!

HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION: Used in Chinese medicine for over 1300 years for its stimulating effect on the digestive system and for respiratory disorders such as bronchitis and unproductive coughs. In the East generally, it is used as a remedy for colic and rheumatism, and often chewed after meals to sweeten the breath and promote digestion. A common oriental domestic spice.

ACTIONS: Antiseptic, carminative, expectorant, insect repellent, stimulant.

EXTRACTION: Essential oil by steam distillation from the fruits, fresh or partially dried. An oil is also produced from the leaves in small quantities.

CHARACTERISTICS: A pale yellow liquid with a warm, spicy, extremely sweet, liquorice like scent. It blends well with rose, lavender, orange, pine and other spice oils, and has excellent masking properties.

PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS: Trans-anethole (80–90 per cent).

SAFETY DATA: Despite the anethole content, it does not appear to be a dermal irritant, unlike aniseed. In large doses it is narcotic and slows down the circulation; it can lead to cerebral disorders. Use in moderation only.

AROMATHERAPY/HOME: USE

Circulation Muscles And Joints: Muscular aches and pains, rheumatism.

Respiratory System: Bronchitis, coughs.

Digestive System: Colic, cramp, flatulence, indigestion.

Immune system: Colds.

OTHER USES: By the pharmaceutical industry in cough mixtures, lozenges, etc. and to mask undesirable odours and flavours in drugs. As a fragrance component in soaps, toothpaste and detergents as well as cosmetics and perfumes. Widely used for flavouring food, especially confectionery, alcoholic and soft drinks.... anise, star