Anise oil, seeds and fruits: beneficial properties, contraindications and applications. The healing properties of anise and its contraindications

Anise (sweet cumin, pigeon anise, breadseed) is an umbelliferous annual plant native to Lebanon. As a cultivated plant, anise is mainly bred for its spicy fruits, which are used in cooking and the baking industry for making drinks (anise vodka, kvass). Mainly used anise seeds: medicinal properties plants have been known for a long time.

Anise fruits contain vegetable fats, protein, carbohydrates, furfural, sugars, coffee, chlorogenic and healthy fatty acid. The essential oil of the plant contains up to 90% anethole, which gives it a characteristic pleasant aroma.

Applications of anise seeds

• Anise seeds: application It is useful in the treatment of inflammation of the stomach and intestines. The fruits have an antispasmodic effect and improve appetite.
• Anise helps women cope with painful menstruation and cycle disorders.
• Anise is also included in various medical fees for infertility and hormonal disorders.
• A anise oil has the ability to stimulate motor functions uterus, which can contribute to pregnancy.
• The seed of the plant is also used to make a decoction that enhances lactation.
• Anise fruits have a beneficial effect on respiratory organs. Decoctions based on the plant are good for asthma, cough, shortness of breath, bronchitis, laryngitis and tracheitis, and pneumonia. Anise is also used for whooping cough in children to thin and expel phlegm more quickly.
• A mixture of anise seeds and honey treats the throat well, relieving pain and hoarseness.
• Anise seed infused with alcohol or water has long been used to normalize the functions of the liver and pancreas.
• The plant helps with diseases urinary system as a diuretic.
• Anise seed can enhance potency.

Has long been used to treat colds the best remedy Aniseed vodka was considered. In addition, anise tincture removes toxins from the body.
Anise is also used to get rid of domestic insects.
Anise essential oil enhances the effect of antibiotics. Anise oil and protein mixture chicken egg- a good remedy for burns.

Anise recipes

1. Alcohol tincture on anise. For 1 part of seeds you need to take 5 parts of 70-degree alcohol. Leave for a week, then strain. Place the tincture in the refrigerator. Take 10-15 drops 8-10 times a day for persistent, prolonged cough.

2. Anise tea:
Pour 1 teaspoon of seed into a glass of boiling water, leave for 10 minutes and strain. Drink tea in two doses.

3. For sore throat, bronchial asthma, loss of voice, bronchitis accompanied by a dry cough, as well as urolithiasis, flatulence:
1 tbsp. Grind a spoonful of seeds, pour a glass of boiling water, leave for half an hour, strain. Drink 1-2 tablespoons of infusion, warm, 3-4 times a day.

4. For chronic persistent cough:
Pour boiling water (1 cup) over 2 tablespoons of anise seed, boil for a minute, leave for half an hour and strain. Then add 1 tbsp. a spoonful of liquid honey. Drink warm 3-4 times a day before meals, 2 tbsp. spoons.

5. For colitis: pour 1 teaspoon of crushed anise seed into a glass of boiling water. Strain after half an hour. Drink in sips throughout the day.

Infusion anise seeds stimulates lactation well. You need to take it a quarter glass before meals (30 minutes). An infusion of the fruit also helps with painful menstruation. Drink according to the same scheme.

6. For flatulence, sluggish digestion, as well as skin itching, eczema neurodermatitis:
pour 1 tbsp. a spoonful of crushed anise seeds 0.5 liters of boiling water, leave for an hour and strain. In 30 min. Before meals, drink 0.5 cups of infusion 2-3 times a day.

7. An excellent recipe to help with voice loss:
Pour 0.5 cups of anise seeds into a glass of boiling water, boil over low heat for 15 minutes, then leave for 15 minutes, strain. Bring the volume of liquid to 1 glass. Then pour in 1/4 cup of honey (liquid) and boil again. Cool, then pour 1 tbsp into the broth. a spoonful of cognac. Drink every 30 minutes. during the day, 1 tbsp. spoon.

8. An infusion of anise seeds stimulates lactation well. You need to take a quarter glass 30 minutes before each meal. An infusion of the fruit also helps with painful menstruation. Drink according to the same scheme.

9. An infusion of seeds (1 teaspoon per glass of water) is also used for rinsing for gingivitis, tonsillitis, stomatitis and other diseases of the oral cavity.

Anise in cooking

Anise seeds are recommended to be added to muffins, pies, porridges, especially rice and oatmeal, as well as to vegetable and sweet dishes (carrot, beet and cabbage salads; mousses, compotes, jellies), and also as a seasoning for sea fish.

Anise in cosmetology

An infusion of anise seeds gives the skin a tightened and youthful appearance and effectively tones. It is useful to make ice cubes from a strong infusion of seeds to wipe your face.

Contraindications

Anise preparations should not be taken by pregnant women or those suffering from any chronic diseases gastrointestinal tract.

Treatment with anise and its essential oil should not exceed 7 days.

Among the variety of medicinal plants, anise occupies a place of honor. Its sweetish tart smell attracted the attention of cooks, pharmacists, and winemakers. Small brownish flowers with a distinct aroma have become famous all over the world. This article is about the medicinal properties and contraindications of anise.

Anise has been popular since ancient times. The true homeland of this plant is still controversial. Some call Asia Minor, other - Ancient Egypt and Greece. In Russia, this plant began to be grown at the end of the 19th century.

Its main purpose is spice. Now it is used as a spice for preparing salads, sauces, sweet dishes, baked goods and drinks. Even alcoholic drinks have not bypassed this plant - sambuca, aniseed vodka and others.

Even in ancient times, it was found that the plant has unusual medicinal properties. Magicians placed it at the head of the sick to banish nightmares and normalize sleep. Today, anise is widely used in medicine. Medicines are made on its basis. Popular today ammonia- anise drops, cough sweets, chest elixir, anise oil.

Traditional healers offer a large number of recipes for tea, infusions and drinks. Psychologists recommend anise for aromatherapy, as its smell has a tonic and calming effect.

The secret is in the chemical composition of anise

The most valuable part of a plant is its seeds. They are also called fruits.

They contain a large amount various vitamins and minerals.

Per hundred grams of seeds there are:

• Vitamin C or ascorbic acid – 21 mg;
• PP or niacin – 3.06 mg;
• B5 or pantothenic acid– 0.79 mg;
• B6 or pyridoxine – 0.59 mg;
• B1 or thiamine – 0.35;
• B2 or riboflavin – 0.3;
• folic acid– 10 mg.

Main cast:

• fiber 15 grams;
• proteins – 15 grams;
• fats – 16 grams;
• carbohydrates – 35 grams;
• ash – 7 grams;
• water - 10% of the total weight of the plant.

Minerals: iron, selenium, sodium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, selenium, potassium, copper, manganese, zinc and some others.

Its oils contain:

• anisealdehyde;
• anethole;
• anise ketol;
• methylchavicol;
• anisic acid;
• sugar;
• protein substances.

Calories and nutritional value

There are 337 calories per hundred grams of product.

The nutritional value:

• fats – 15.9 grams;
• carbohydrates – 35.4 grams;
• proteins – 17.6 grams.

Medicinal properties of anise

Anise acts as an analgesic, antiseptic, antipyretic, diaphoretic and anti-inflammatory. It also has a diuretic, laxative, antispasmodic and sedative effect. The drugs are used in the treatment of liver diseases, Bladder, gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, cough, headaches, nervous and sexual disorders.

Anise helps women a lot. It normalizes the menstrual cycle, relieves painful sensations, treats frigidity.

For men it is useful as a means to increase potency.

Has a beneficial effect on nervous system. Effective for sleep disturbances, insomnia and frequent awakenings.

The effect of anise on the human body

Plant seeds and medicines based on them:

• increase appetite;
• improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
• improve kidney function;
• stimulate genitourinary functions;
• act as an expectorant;
• eliminate bad smell from mouth;

Anise essential oils are used for the following diseases:

• nervous exhaustion and overstrain (stress, apathy, depression, melancholy, etc.);
• headache and dizziness;
• stomach problems (vomiting, constipation, flatulence);
• arthritis and rheumatism;
• muscle pain;
• women's diseases (painful menstruation and menopause);
• tachycardia;
• diseases of the upper respiratory tract(asthma, runny nose, cough);
• diseases of the genitourinary system (cystitis, kidney stones, swelling).

Anise oil is also valued as a remedy against burns, hoarseness in the voice, inflammation of the gums and scurvy.

Teas and tinctures are made from anise seeds. Tea is used to increase the amount breast milk and at colds throat.

The benefits of anise for the human body

Thanks to its unique chemical composition Anise helps get rid of a number of diseases.

Ascorbic acid, which is contained in anise, has an antibacterial and antiviral effect, and also strengthens the immune system.

High levels of niacin normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and support normal level cholesterol.

The main mineral in anise is potassium. Its share is 1440 milligrams per 100 grams of product. And, as you know, potassium and calcium are important for the functioning of the heart and the elasticity of blood vessels.

Iron is necessary for the prevention and treatment of anemia.

Anise seeds provoke contraction of the muscles of the uterus, so it is used for painful periods and to enhance labor activity.

By consuming anise, you can increase the amount of breast milk during lactation. And in this way the child will be able to get rid of flatulence and colic.

The plant increases sensitivity. Anise is considered a powerful aphrodisiac. To get rid of frigidity and increase potency, drink anise tea. In addition, it contains the hormone estrogen. It is necessary to improve reproductive function body.

Anise tincture is used to get rid of thrush in the mouth. And also for the treatment of sore throat, bronchitis, laryngitis and tonsillitis.

Thanks to its effect, the effect of antibiotics taken is enhanced.

Anise oil along with egg white will help heal the burn.

Contraindications for use and harmful effects of anise

Despite the huge number of beneficial properties, anise can also have harmful effects on human health. Therefore, before using it, you must be sure to familiarize yourself with the contraindications. It cannot be used if you have:

• ulcerative colitis;
• stomach ulcer or duodenum;
• individual intolerance;
• gastritis with increased acidity;
• pregnancy.

Long-term use may lead to allergic reactions on the skin and dermatitis. Do not use oils if your skin has rashes, redness, acne and cuts.

Anise provokes contraction of the muscles of the uterus, so during pregnancy it can cause premature birth. It should not be taken until labor begins. This is both a plus and a minus. Therefore, it should be remembered that at the beginning of pregnancy it is contraindicated, but at the end, on the contrary, it is recommended.

The plant increases appetite, so people with overweight It is better to limit its use or avoid it altogether.

Anise causes increased production gastric juice, and when peptic ulcers it will only harm the body.

Affecting the nervous system, it can cause slight malaise and dizziness.

Anise has a relatively small range of contraindications. Its impact on human health is more positive than negative. Any medicine must be used correctly. If you do not have an ulcer and are not pregnant, then you can safely treat yourself to anise tea and enjoy its pleasant aroma.

Common anise is an annual plant that came to us from the East, where it was widely used in folk medicine for thousands of years. In our country, this useful crop began to spread as a decoration for summer cottages and over time gained considerable popularity.

What does anise look like?

Anise is a low plant, up to 50 cm in length. Its most characteristic feature is white flowers collected in small umbrella-shaped bunches.

The stem of anise is straight, branching only towards the very top, the leaves have veins dividing them into lobes. In our area, you can most often find common anise on plantations or summer cottages. After the flowering period, fruits begin to appear at the tops of the plant. They usually Brown and have an oblong cup-shaped shape. It is the fruits that are of the greatest value.

Collection and preparation

IN medicinal purposes All parts of the plant are used. Flowers need to be collected in the first half of summer, while the fruits ripen only at the end of August and must be collected in autumn period. Only fully ripened fruits need to be collected. To collect the fruits, you need to cut the plants and tie them into small bunches. In this form, the anise will need no more than a month to dry completely.

After the raw materials are completely dry, you can easily separate the fruits from the stems and foliage. Leaves and stems should be chopped and set aside for later use. The fruits are most often used for medicinal purposes, but anise seeds can also be useful. They are often used in Food Industry and even in perfumery, anise essential oil has become an integral part of many household goods. It has also proven itself as excellent remedy in the fight against ticks, fleas and other harmful insects.

Medicinal properties of anise

Anise has a rich arsenal of beneficial properties, which has made it a people's favorite wherever it grows. wild conditions. For example, the fruits of this wonderful plant can provide invaluable help with bronchitis or other diseases respiratory system. After all, anise fruits are a natural expectorant. Also, this natural medicine can help with stomach problems, increase its secretion and relieve cramps.

Anise can be used to relieve inflammation genitourinary tract and as a diuretic. In some cases, anise-based preparations are used by nursing mothers to increase milk supply. In general, this plant has a beneficial effect on human body, which makes it one of the most popular folk remedies in the world. And pharmacology has not left anise unnoticed - a lot of products are produced based on it various drugs for every taste.

Contraindications

Despite the many beneficial properties, anise has a number of contraindications. It should not be used by pregnant women or those suffering from chronic diseases digestive system. It is also not recommended to use anise for those with stomach ulcers. Young children should not be treated with this plant, as it may pose a danger to their health.

If you take anise essential oil internally, remember that it should not be used in this way for more than a week. Otherwise, you risk causing significant harm to your own health. Despite all the usefulness of anise, you should not take contraindications lightly, as your well-being may depend on it. Also try not to overuse decoctions or tinctures from this plant, this can also cause serious harm.

Recipes

Anise is a plant with wide range medicinal properties. There is a huge amount folk recipes both for the gastrointestinal tract and for the bronchi and respiratory tract. An infusion of anise fruit can be an excellent expectorant. To prepare it you need to pour half a liter hot water for one tablespoon of fruit and leave for about an hour. Then the liquid should be filtered and consumed three times a day half an hour before meals as an expectorant. For similar purposes, you can use anise oil in an amount of up to 5 drops, also three times a day.

At intestinal colic Anise seeds help well with gas or flatulence. To prepare a decoction, pour one teaspoon of anise seeds with a glass of boiling water and let the resulting mixture brew for half an hour, after which you need to strain the liquid. The resulting decoction should be taken three times a day, one cup.

If you are tormented by kidney or bladder stones, then this recipe will help: pour 2 teaspoons of anise seeds with a glass of boiling water, let it brew for about 20 minutes, strain, and you're done! You need to take the resulting liquid 2 tablespoons about 3 times a day 20 minutes before meals.

Other useful properties

In addition to getting rid of stomach or lung diseases, anise can help men regain lost potency or restore normal sexual activity if there are problems with it. For this, all kinds of decoctions and tinctures from anise seeds are used. Another beneficial property of the seeds is increased lactation in women who are breastfeeding.

This decoction can help with this: for 2 teaspoons of seeds you will need a glass of water. All this needs to be slowly heated in a water bath for 30 minutes, then strain, add sugar to taste. The resulting substance should be taken three times a day, two tablespoons.

Anise decoctions can be used to gargle for sore throat or simply against bad smell from mouth. This plant can also be an assistant in the fight against insomnia. To do this, you need to pour a teaspoon of anise seeds with one glass of hot milk and leave for half an hour, then add a little honey to the liquid. It is best to drink the resulting drink two hours before bedtime.

Composition of anise

What makes anise so beneficial? What substances should we thank for their miraculous properties? Anise fruits contain approximately 3% essential oils, as well as a quarter of fatty oil and about 20% protein substances. Also, this useful culture contains various minerals, sugar and mucus. Such a rich and varied composition provides this medicinal plant with such a wide range of healing properties.

Uses of anise in everyday life

Naturally, the main thing that anise is famous for is its medicinal properties. However, it can be useful not only for treating ailments, but also in everyday life. For example, anise stems can be an excellent food for pets in the summer. The range of uses of plant seeds is especially wide - they are used in making bread or to create pleasant aromas. Ground seeds can be used as a seasoning for some dishes, and anise essential oils are excellent at repelling flies, ticks and other annoying insects.

Anise is widely used in making alcoholic drinks. It can be found in popular liquids such as absinthe or sambuca. In Greece, alcoholic drinks made from anise are widespread. Not a single major holiday is complete without anise moonshine. Thus, we can note the deep relationship between anise and the culture of the peoples living side by side with it.

Anise at his own dacha

Truly magical properties has anise. The use of this plant brings such beneficial results that many summer residents would not mind having this crop on their plot. In our area, anise gets along well, but requires care and competent care. It is also important to plant the plant correctly in order to get the long-awaited harvest.

First you need to germinate the seeds by moistening them with water and wrapping them in a cloth or gauze. After about a week, sprouts will begin to emerge from the seeds - this sure sign that it’s time to start planting. It is necessary to bury the seeds in the ground at a depth of 3-4 centimeters, with large or small row spacing, depending on personal preference. The soil must be dug up in advance. It should not be heavy, clayey or saline - these types of soil are not suitable for anise.

Anise, as a cultivated plant, has been known since ancient times; this is evidenced by the finds of anise seeds in ancient buildings of the Stone Age. Anise was glorified by the Egyptians and considered the plant a gift from the gods, and ancient Greek healers used its medicinal properties in their practice. Ancient Egypt is considered the ancestral home of anise; it was there that they first began to cultivate this crop. Then, anise smoothly wandered across the latitudes of Europe, and in the 19th century it was brought to the territory of Russia.

Anise is in demand among chefs all over the world as a spice, is involved in the process of producing natural soap, and is used to prepare drinks and ethers.

Anise fruits are known assistants in the fight against harmful, blood-sucking insects; the same thing, anise oil, is obtained from them and is used in the baking and alcohol industry. Anise is a honey crop, and anise honey is different fragrant aroma and a spicy aftertaste.

Anise: plant description

Anise is an annual crop of the berenets genus of the Umbelliferae family. The plant is unpretentious, with a thin, medium-sized stem, up to half a meter high, erect and branched. Anise root is thin, taproot, branched.

The lower leaves of anise are long-petiolate, entire, rounded-kidney-shaped, and can be incised-toothed or lobed.

Medium foliage of the crop: long-petiolate, wedge-shaped, sometimes bilobed with small lateral leaves. The upper “green cap” of anise consists of three-pinnate leaves, with linear lanceolate lobes or entire foliage.

Anise blooms in the summer months; most often the plant blooms in June with small, five-membered inflorescences, inconspicuous in appearance, but very fragrant. Anise flowers have white color, and small ciliated petals, about five stamens and a pistil with a nested ovary are hidden inside the peduncle; the inflorescences form an umbrella shape.

The fruits of anise are gray-green in color, two-seeded, with a pleasant fragrant aroma and a sweetish, spicy taste. The shape resembles an irregular, laterally flattened oval, about 2-6 mm in size. The plant produces a harvest in August, 2 thousand seeds weigh about 7 grams.

Anise can be common or star anise. The species of the spice should not be confused with the varieties: striped anise and scarlet anise, since the latter are not anise, but are called apple fruits.

Common anise or anise, an annual crop with a developed root system, taproot type, penetrating to a depth of 40 cm, the plant is not afraid of short-term drought. It has an erect, finely grooved, hollow stem and reaches a height of about 75 cm.

Common anise is used for cosmetic and table purposes, but it should not be confused with star anise; these are plants of different families and differ both in shape and in aroma and taste characteristics.

Star anise, also known as star anise, is a plant that has many beneficial properties. By botanical features, distinguishable from common anise - it is an evergreen plant of the Schisandra family, genus Star anise, with fruits in the form of an eight or six-pointed star. Used as a seasoning, cultivated Eastern countries, in China, Japan, India and the Philippines.

Star anise has an aroma similar to licorice and has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, contains shikimic acid, which is an antiviral barrier. The aromatic star anise is used to make essential oils, perfumes and oral protection products.

Anise seeds, use and storage

Anise fruits and oil have a number of beneficial properties and are used as primary and auxiliary means to obtain medicines And healing decoctions. The fruits contain fatty and essential oils, proteins and organic acids.

The seeds have a spicy taste and aroma, antiseptic and antiviral effects.

Anise seeds are used to repel and destroy harmful insects, and healers and homeopaths use anise for medicinal purposes, in two forms: tea and infusions.

To prepare anise tea, you need to pour a glass of boiling water over a teaspoon of crushed anise seeds, leave for 15 minutes and take a glass on an empty stomach, this tea improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and serves auxiliary in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections.

A decoction of anise seeds will eliminate depression and mental disorders To prepare, grind a tablespoon of anise seeds, pour a glass of boiling water and bring to a boil, stirring. Leave the broth for 30 minutes, remove from heat, cool and strain. Mix the finished broth with 30 ml. cognac and a dessert spoon of honey. Take 10 ml of anise infusion warm. up to 5 times a day.

Anise seeds are actively used to prepare alcoholic beverages. The most common product among anise-based alcoholic drinks is anisette vodka.

Spicy anise seeds go well in dishes with other spices, making them indispensable in spices and seasonings.

Anise seeds should be stored in a sealed glass container for no more than three years.

Anise varieties

Today, the most widespread varieties of anise in Russia are: Alekseevsky variety 68 and Alekseevsky sowing variety 1231; in summer cottages and garden plots you can find table and vegetable varieties of anise: Umbrella, Blues, Semko, Moscow variety, Magic Elixir.

All domestic varieties are distinguished by their resistance to temperature changes, unpretentiousness and, subject to agrotechnical measures, high yield.

Of the imported varieties, German, French and Dutch varieties of anise are common.

Beneficial properties of anise and its contraindications

Anise truly unique plant, having an antispasmodic, carminative effect, it helps get rid of intestinal colic and spasm of the small intestine.

Infusion of anise seeds, in combination with mint, pine and orange oil, infusion of goldenrod and horsetail, birch leaves and parsley root - copes well with diseases genitourinary area, fights infection, relieves inflammation of the bladder and has a diuretic effect.

Anise seed oil has an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effect on minor wounds and abrasions. An infusion of anise fruit helps cope with respiratory diseases and has thinning and expectorant properties.

Anise tea stimulates lactation in women, helps cope with menstrual pain and restores the cycle. Helps in the fight against frigidity in women, increases potency in men, strengthens the immune system and fights depression.

Anise seeds are rich in fatty and essential oils, plant protein compounds, organic acids and microelements.

Anethole, the aromatic component of anise, gives the seed a spicy, persistent aroma and a characteristic sweetish taste.

One of the purposes of anise is to obtain essential anise oil from its fruit. His oil is included in recipes different tinctures and elixirs, used in herbal medicine and cosmetic procedures.

Anise oil can cope with headaches, eliminate migraines, cope with insomnia, and help in the fight against tachycardia. Consuming anise daily will restore immunity and provide beneficial influence on the body as a whole.

Traditional medicine uses ground anise to relieve pain, swelling and itching after insect bites, as well as to treat burns.

Anise infusions are used to combat diseases of the nasopharynx and periodontal disease, for this: 30 grams of crushed anise, pour a glass of boiling water, let it brew, add 8 drops fir oil, sage oil, dilute with a glass of strong decoction of chamomile and carry out sanitation oral cavity daily for two weeks.

All highly effective medicinal plants have their own contraindications, and anise is not left out. Anise is contraindicated for allergy sufferers and pregnant women. Long-term use medicinal plant or exceeding the dosage leads to allergic skin rashes.

Anise essential oil is obtained by steam distillation of ester from the seeds of the plant. Atenol, which is part of anise oil, is actively used to produce anisoaldehyde used in perfumery.

Natural anise oil retains its aroma and beneficial features, it is highly concentrated, yellowish in color. Shelf life up to five years.

The effectiveness of common anise oil is higher than that of star anise. When purchasing ether, you need to make sure that you are not given a counterfeit; it is better to first and independently familiarize yourself with the composition on the product label.

Anise oil has tonic, soothing and restorative properties. An aroma lamp with anise oil will help you calm down, relax, and cope with insomnia.

Essential anise oil perfectly nourishes the skin and fights imperfections. During epidemics of influenza and ARVI, it is recommended to inhale anise and pine oils to prevent the disease.

For bronchitis, anise oil and decoctions are taken orally on an empty stomach. Due to its antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory effect, anise oil is useful for women to consume during menstrual cycle to relieve pain and cope with depression.

Anise oil in combination with fennel and dill oil will relieve gas problems and abdominal pain.

Hair mask with anise and burdock oil It will bring shine to your hair, strengthen the hair roots and get rid of dandruff.

When using any essential oils, a test should be carried out to determine the individual tolerance of the product, otherwise the treatment may lead to negative consequences in the form of rashes and dermatitis. Before use, apply a small amount of oil to the skin behind the ear or temporal lobe; if itching or redness occurs, anise oil is contraindicated. Anise oil should not be consumed by people with thrombocytopenia, allergy sufferers and pregnant women.

Anise root, use

The anise root is located in the soil at a depth of 30-40 cm. It has a rod shape with branches. Anise root is included in preparations that strengthen the heart - vascular system, it is used in cooking and to eliminate bad breath.

To eliminate unwanted bad breath: finely chopped anise root, mix with lemon zest and fresh mint, chew the resulting paste well and swallow without drinking. And then, hold a piece of anise root, ginger or bay leaf. This recipe can even get rid of the smell of tobacco.

It is best to harvest anise root in the month of August, or immediately after harvesting the seeds. After harvesting, the anise root is chopped and dried; fresh it is stored in the refrigerator for no more than two weeks.

Anise growing, harvesting

Anise is one such crop that is cold-resistant but heat-loving. Anise can be sown in early spring, but on the south side of the site, well warmed by the sun.

Anise seeds begin to germinate already at a temperature of +10 degrees, but the optimal value is +25. Place in crop rotation after vegetables and legumes.

Sowing anise is done with seeds; if you sow in early spring, then it is better to germinate the seeds in advance; to do this, place them in wet wipe for a week, provide sunlight and moisturize daily.

Prepare the soil in advance; first, dig up the area, apply compost, and in the spring, before sowing, nitrogen and mineral fertilizers.

In the formed beds, with a row spacing of 40 cm, anise seeds are planted, not densely, to a depth of no more than 4 cm; it is better to thin out too frequent seedlings, leaving 8-10 cm between plants, otherwise the plant will give a meager harvest of seeds.

The most suitable soils for anise are aerated, light soils with good drainage.

Caring for crops consists of timely watering (at least three times a week), weeding and hilling. Full ripening of anise seeds occurs three months after sowing. Cleaning is carried out early in the morning, the “umbrellas” are cut, dried, threshed and, if necessary, sifted. Store the seeds in a closed glass container or paper bag. The shelf life of anise seeds is no more than three years.

Anise comes from warm Mediterranean countries. Since ancient times it has been cultivated in India and Greece, became known in Europe in the Middle Ages, and came to Russia in the nineteenth century. It has taken root everywhere due to its absolute unpretentiousness. The plant can grow on any soil except heavy saline soils. The most important factor its growth is immediate access sunlight. The more the crop receives, the more actively the shoots grow, and the fruits fully ripen.

Features of anise

They grow crops for industrial harvesting. She is listed medicinal herbs, used by the pharmaceutical industry for the manufacture of drugs. In Russia, the cultivation regions are Belgorod, Kursk and Voronezh regions. Small farms exist in the Krasnodar region.

Description

Common anise. Botanical illustration from the book “Köhler’s Medizinal-Pflanzen”, 1887.

The plant is an annual herb with thin, pubescent stems. It grows up to fifty centimeters, the stems branch in the upper part, erect, rounded.

The root is thin, resembles a rod without branches. The lower leaves with long petioles and round shape grow directly from the root. Higher up the stem, large lobed leaves are not found; towards the middle of the shoot they are replaced by wedge-shaped leaves, the size of which increasingly decreases towards the upper part.

Flowers are collected in umbrellas of small diameter up to six centimeters. There are up to fifteen to seventeen “rays” in a bunch, with short white petals. The plant blooms for a long time, gradually, from June to mid-October. By the end of this period, fruits are formed that are of interest for medicine and cooking.

The fruits of the anise plant are ovoid achenes, compressed on both sides. They reach five millimeters in length and are colored brown-gray. You can distinguish the plant during the period of fruit formation by its characteristic anise smell. The mass fruiting period occurs in August, when up to eighty percent of the fruits ripen.

The plant is often called star anise, but the crops are not identical. Common belongs to the Apiaceae family and is an annual herb. Star anise or star anise is an evergreen plant from the Limonaceae family. It grows as a shrub, reaching eighteen meters in height, and bears fruit in “star” cups.

Cultivation

Anise seeds are obtained from industrial and private cultivation. The most important condition is the use of a cultivated plant grown in a designated area. Due to the fact that the plant is not demanding on growth conditions, it is found in well-lit meadows. However, it should not be collected in the wild, since in appearance it is similar to most umbrella crops, many of which are poisonous.

Common anise is planted on chernozems, loose soils fertilized with humus. It is tolerant of loamy and sandy loam soils, where it grows well with sufficient fertilizer. Enrich the soil composition in spring and autumn. In the first ten days of the year, nitrogen and potassium mixtures are applied, and after harvesting, phosphorus fertilizers are used.

Last year's seeds are used for propagation. They can be planted in early spring due to the plants’ sufficient resistance to frost. After planting seeds in the ground in a volume of one gram of raw material per square meter, seedlings appear within three weeks. The soil between the sprouts must be regularly loosened and kept free of weeds.

Collection and preparation

IN medical practice plant seeds are used, the preparation of which takes place until they are completely ripened. Harvesting occurs when sixty to eighty percent of the seeds are ripe. During this growing season, the fruits of the umbrellas that appeared earlier than the others become brown in color. And the umbrellas that appear later remain green. The typical fruit harvesting period is August-September.

The plant is cut completely and formed into sheaves. Place under a canopy, in a well-ventilated space. The separation of fruits from the umbrellas is carried out after the sheaves have dried by threshing.

For cooking, plant greens are harvested. In this case, the leaves are cut off before flowering begins. They are not dried, but used in fresh.

Compound

The chemical composition of the culture has been well studied, which is why the properties of anise are used in medicine to treat a number of diseases. Therapeutic effect based on a combination of essential oil up to ninety percent crystalline anethole and ten percent liquid metalchavicol. The extraction of essential oil from the fruit is carried out by steam distillation.

The plant also contains up to twenty-eight percent fatty oils, proteins, organic acids and natural sugar. This gives the fruits and leaves a specific, sweet taste.

Uses of anise

The culture is used in cooking and medicine. In the first case, leaves are used, in the second - exclusively the fruits of anise. In perfumery, the fruits are used as a flavoring agent and a natural sweetener for toothpastes and powders. The persistent and rich aroma allows the use of anise in the production of perfumes and eau de toilette.

In cooking

The leaves are added fresh to salads and used as a flavoring when stewing meat and fish, preparing soups and sauces. In Russia, the plant has become an integral part of pickles - cucumbers, apples, cabbage, and is often used as a dressing for kvass. The spice not only adds its own aroma, but also eliminates the unpleasant odor of other components of the dish. It can be added until the odor is neutralized, and then removed and the dish can be saturated with other preferred spices.

The use of star anise is also in demand in cooking. It gives a luxurious smell to baked goods, stews, mulled wine.

Anise vodka is prepared using the spice; the recipe also includes caraway seeds and star anise.

Preparation

1. Mix a teaspoon each of anise and cumin, add two star anise.
2. Place in a jar and fill with half a liter of vodka.
3. Leave for two weeks, shaking the mixture periodically.
4. Pass through cheesecloth, add a teaspoon of sugar.

Thanks to spices, vodka acquires a pronounced aroma and golden color. Before using it, it is recommended to keep it for a day in a dark place.

In medicine

The use of anise in medicine is based on a composition in which essential and fixed oils. Anethole, which is part of the essential oil of anise, penetrates the mucous membranes of the bronchi, accelerates the movement of epithelial cilia and stimulates respiratory center. This leads to irritation of the bronchi and increases mucus secretion.

Anise oil is used as a medicinal and stimulant.

• For diseases of the upper respiratory tract- bronchitis, bronchial catarrh, tracheitis as an expectorant. Proven safety for use in children younger age. Essential oil helps cleanse the respiratory tract and cough up.
• With decreased lactation. The substances have an antispasmodic effect, which increases the secretion of breast milk in nursing women.
• For digestive disorders, constipation. When taken orally, it stimulates the production of gastrointestinal juice, increases motor activity intestinal mucous membranes.

The production of essential oil is carried out only in industrial conditions. The use of anise drops in pharmacy form Three to six drops three times a day are recommended. The specific taste will help remove the piece of sugar on which the drug is dripped.

At home, anise cough drops are prepared with alcohol. Use 3.5 grams of pharmaceutical oil per 17 ml of ammonia and 80 ml of alcohol with a strength of 90%. The composition is called ammonia-anise drops.

Transparent liquid with pungent odor traditionally used in the treatment of bronchitis in children, from the first year of a child’s life. Prescribe one or two drops of the drug for up to a year, then the number of drops according to the number of years. The medicine should be taken three times a day.

Infusions from the seeds of the plant are also prepared at home. They have a pronounced expectorant and antispasmodic effect.

Preparation

1. Pour 200 ml of boiling water over a teaspoon of fruit.
2. Leave to brew under the lid and cool.
3. Strain.

The infusion should be taken a quarter glass up to six times a day for respiratory diseases with impaired sputum discharge. As a laxative, it is recommended to take half a glass up to four times a day. The infusion can serve as an adjuvant for ARVI, flu with fever. At a dosage of ½ glass three times a day, it has an antipyretic and diaphoretic effect.

The use of anise is widespread in Russia, despite the fact that the plant is not traditional for our country. But thanks to its unpretentiousness, important pharmacological qualities, unique aroma culture took root and became an integral part of folk and official medicine, cooking. Cultivation is carried out on an industrial scale, so the plant is always available in the pharmacy chain.