Anise

ANISE | ANIS

Anise - not star anise, not fennel, but true anise - the soft, sweet, licorice-scented seed that’s been soothing guts, freshening breath, and flavoring ritual and remedy since the days of pharaohs and philosophers. If spices had personalities, anise would be the warm-hearted storyteller- gentle but powerful, ancient but familiar, with a calming energy that settles you from the inside out.

Native to the eastern Mediterranean and Southwest Asia, anise has been cultivated for over 3,500 years. The Ancient Egyptians used it for everything from flatulence to bad breath to spiritual purification. It shows up in papyri, blended with honey and wine, offered to the gods or taken as a gentle digestive aid after feasts. The Greeks and Romans adored it too- Hippocrates and Galen prescribed it for respiratory congestion, menstrual discomfort, and urinary tract health.

The Romans even baked it into special spiced cakes - early versions of our modern anise biscotti - believing it prevented indigestion and warded off bad dreams. Anise was one of the original “wedding herbs,” symbolizing fertility, prosperity, and clarity, tossed into celebrations, added to love potions, and steeped into teas for newlyweds.

By the time the Middle Ages rolled around, anise had become a pan-European herbal staple. Monks grew it in monastery gardens, medieval physicians prescribed it for hiccups, melancholy, and plague prevention, and herbalists dried and bundled it for everything from colic in infants to epilepsy in adults. People hung it in satchels to ward off lice, tucked it in bedding for sweet dreams, and infused it in wine for a little digestive courage after heavy meals.

Anise also carved a niche in the world of spirits and liqueurs. From French pastis to Italian sambuca, Greek ouzo, and Middle Eastern arak, anise became the aromatic anchor of some of the world’s most iconic post-meal drinks- meant to relax the stomach, lift the mood, and keep the conversation flowing.

Medicinally, the tiny crescent-shaped seeds are carminative, antispasmodic, mildly expectorant, and hormonally balancing. They’re used in teas, tinctures, and syrups to treat coughs, digestive cramping, sluggish metabolism, and low libido. And let’s not forget the lactation benefits- anise has been used across cultures to stimulate breastmilk production, especially when combined with fennel and fenugreek.

Modern research confirms what ancient herbalists already knew- anise contains anethole, a compound that gives it its sweet, licorice-like flavor and antimicrobial, estrogenic, and anti-inflammatory properties. It's still used in formulas for IBS, dry coughs, bad breath, and even as a natural sweetener in herbal blends.

Energetically, anise is cooling, calming, and clarifying. It opens the breath, relaxes the gut, and softens rigid emotional states. It’s one of those herbs that feels like a soft exhale after a tense moment.

Anise isn’t just a background spice in old-school desserts… It’s a cross-cultural healing seed, a sweet-scented ritual herb, and a story carrier from the ancient world. Whether it’s tucked into tea, stirred into syrup, or kissed by flame in a copper still, anise continues to do what it’s always done: ease tension, sweeten the moment, and bring breath back to the body.

Medicinal Uses of Anise

Digestive Aid

• Acts as a carminative—relieves gas, bloating, and indigestion.

• Stimulates appetite and supports general digestive function.

• Used traditionally to treat colic, flatulence, and upset stomachs, especially in children.

Respiratory Support

• Functions as an expectorant—helps loosen mucus and relieve coughing.

• Used in herbal syrups and teas for bronchitis, asthma, and common colds.

• Soothes sore throats and supports healthy breathing.

Antimicrobial and Antifungal

• Contains anethole, which has been shown to have antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties.

• May help combat oral infections and mild gastrointestinal infections.

Hormonal and Reproductive Support

• Exhibits mild estrogenic activity, potentially beneficial for:

  • Menstrual discomfort

  • Low libido

  • Menopausal symptoms

• Traditionally used to increase milk production in breastfeeding individuals (galactagogue).

Antispasmodic

• Helps relieve muscle spasms, especially in the gastrointestinal tract.

• Used to calm cramps, hiccups, and even irritable bowel symptoms.

Mild Sedative and Sleep Aid

• Historically used to ease anxiety and promote sleep.

• Anise tea is sometimes taken in the evening to calm the mind and body.

Oral and Dental Health

• Freshens breath and supports oral hygiene.

• Chewed after meals to reduce odor and stimulate saliva production.

Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant

• Contains flavonoids and other compounds that reduce oxidative stress.

• May help modulate inflammation in the digestive and respiratory tracts.

Mild Diuretic

• Supports urinary flow and the removal of excess fluids from the body.

Blood Sugar and Metabolic Support (Emerging Research)

• Some studies suggest anise may help regulate blood glucose and lipid profiles, though more research is needed.

Important Notes

• Anise is generally safe in culinary and tea amounts.

• In concentrated or essential oil form, it should be used cautiously and with professional guidance, especially during pregnancy or with hormone-sensitive conditions.

• Should not be confused with star anise (Illicium verum), which is similar in flavor but from a completely different plant family.