The sweet anise, also known as Anise or Anise of Dioscorides, belongs to the Apiaceae family. It is a fluffy, herbaceous, annual plant that has been cultivated since ancient times. Its seeds are medicinal, aromatic, and flavorful.

It is used in flavoring sweets and breads, for flavoring beverages, and it has digestive properties. Additionally, an essential oil is produced from it, which is used in pharmaceuticals and perfumery.

In tradition, sweet anise has been mentioned by ancient writers such as Hippocrates, Theophrastus, and Dioscorides, while the Romans used it for digestion. In China, it is used for bloating and in Europe for various ailments.

• Ingredients: Coumarins, flavonoids, essential oil (2-6%) with the main component being trans-anethole (80-95%).
• Properties: Warming, stimulating, improves digestion, beneficial for the liver and circulatory system.
• Use: Infusion of seeds as a diuretic, combined with mint and flowering hawthorn for digestive issues.

The external use of essential oils may help with skin problems such as scabies and lice infestation. For bronchial issues, it combines well with other herbs.

Before use, the seeds should be lightly crushed, and the infusion can be prepared with boiling water.