Benefits of Anise

Normally, you wouldn't notice the difference between anise and fennel seed. The spice bottles are even mislabeled sometimes. But if you happen to come across a recipe that requires you to add both the spices together, then you'd probably start thinking, "Aren't they the same"?

The main difference is each comes from a different plant. It is also sometimes spelled as anis and it comes from the plant called pimpinella anisum while the botanical name for the fennel plant is foeniculum vulgare.

They look almost identical. And these two spices are almost similar in their licorice-like taste. This is because both contain anethole which is a natural plant compound that brings out the flavor and the healing effect of the spices. But the content of anethole and other essential oils is higher in pimpinella anisum. It tastes sweeter. You can drink pimpinella anisum seed tea without adding any honey, sugar or milk. And the scent is more pungent when compared to fennel.

The seeds from pimpinella anisum contain vitamins such as A, B, C and E. Minerals such as calcium and iron are also present. This spice has antiseptic, antispasmodic and carminative properties.

Let's look at the benefits of pimpinella anisum. You can read the benefits of fennel on this page.

1. Both fennel and anise can mask bad breath. You can find toothpaste and breath strips with the extract from this seed as an ingredient.
   
   
   
2. Most licorice candy don't use licorice root extract but use the extract from this seed to bring out the licorice flavor.
   
   
   
3. It soothes intestinal gas and may help prevent or relieve flatulence.
   
   
   
4. The oil is also used in certain cough syrups. Drinking a cup of this spice tea with honey can help relieve coughing.
   
   
   
5. In aromatherapy, the essential oil from pimpinella anisum seeds is used to clear breathing difficulties. The active compounds help clear the bronchial passage and may provide relief from symptoms of asthma, bronchitis, colds and flu.
   
   
   
6. It has shown to be able to stop baby hiccups by feeding them a few sips of the diluted seed extract or spice tea.
   
   
   
7. One of the reasons why pimpinella anisum seeds are added to baked foods is because the chemical reaction during baking releases certain compounds that assist in slowing down the food from decay.

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