Family Name: Umbelliferae
Botanical Name(s): Pimpinella Anisum
Popular Name(s): Anise, Aniseed, Sweet Cumin, Star Anise,
Chinese Nise
Parts Used: Seeds
Habitat: It is a native of Egypt, Greece, Crete and Asia Minor
Description: Anise is a dainty, white-flowered urnbelliferous
annual, about 18 inches high, with secondary feather-like leaflets of
bright green, hence its name (of mediaeval origin), Pimpinella, from
dipinella, or twicepinnate, in allusion to the form of the
leaves
Uses: Anise enjoys considerable reputation as a medicine in
coughs and pectoral affections. In hard, dry coughs where expectoration
is difficult, it is of much value. It is greatly used in the form of
lozenges and the seeds have also been used for smoking, to promote
expectoration. Aniseed tea is very helpful. Anise oil is a good
antiseptic and is used, mixed with oil of Peppermint or Gaultheria.
