One of the most common and widely used annual plants is the common anise. This is a representative of the celery family, which has been growing in Lebanon for a long time. In our time, the fruits of the plant are considered the most valuable. They are used in the medical field and are popular in folk remedies. In addition, anise is used in the food industry.
Description and chemical composition
The maximum height of common anise is 60 cm. The taller the plant, the more it branches. Anise is popularly compared to dill. The annual plant has 7-15 medium-sized inflorescences, similar to ray umbrellas. Anise ordinary blooms with white small flowers. As a result, greenish-gray ovoid fruits appear. Flowering time falls in the month of June-July. The fruits of the plant have a sweetish taste and a pleasant spicy aroma. It is from ordinary anise that bees make excellent anise honey.
It should be noted that the plant has a unique chemical composition that contains essential and fatty oils, trace elements such as anethole, methylchavicol, aldehyde, ketone and anisic acid. Also, the plant consists of the following components: vitamins, proteins, choline, coumarin.
Common anise is widely used in the food industry. The fruits of the plant have a caloric content of 337 kcal per 100 g.
The healing properties of the plant
Since ancient times, anise has been used as a universal remedy. With the help of medicines made on its basis, it is possible to cure various diseases and improve the general well-being of a person. The main component of anise is essential oil, which has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, disinfectant, antipyretic and diaphoretic effects. Using preparations based on anise, you can improve the secretory function of the respiratory tract, improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, stimulate appetite and relieve depression.
It has been proven that ordinary anise relieves headaches well, eliminates tachycardia, helps dissolve kidney stones and stimulate sexual activity. Also, due to the specific smell, with the help of anise, people fight unwanted insects: mosquitoes, bedbugs and flies.
The use of anise is indicated in the following cases:
- with acute respiratory diseases;
- profuse painful menstrual flow;
- to improve lactation;
- with inflammatory processes in the eye area;
- to improve skin elasticity;
- to normalize sleep.
Anise tinctures can also be taken to enhance the effect of antibiotics.
Contraindications for use
The main advice to all patients is not to self-medicate. If, nevertheless, a drug based on anise ordinary fell into the hands of a patient, contraindications and side effects should be carefully studied. Anise is not recommended for people suffering from stomach ailments and diseases of the colon mucosa. Also, do not use the product if the person has a low blood clotting level. Preparations based on anise ordinary are contraindicated in pregnant and breastfeeding women.
The main uses of anise
Anise ordinary can be used in the following variants:
- tea with anise – for preparation, you need to pour 1 teaspoon of seeds with a glass of hot water. After insisting for about 10 minutes, the liquid must be filtered. The recommended dose is 1 cup per day;
- tincture – eliminates bad breath, increases the tone of the body;
- essential oil – helps in the fight against coughs and colds, eliminates inflammation in the oral cavity.
When collecting the fruits of a plant, it is very important to correctly determine its type, since common anise is often confused with other representatives of the flora, which are poisonous.
