Green anise: medicinal properties and cultivation

The Anise , Pimpinella anisum , also known as anise, green anise seed sweet anise bread or sweet grass. This annual plant of the Apiaceae family is native to the Middle East. It can reach a height of 60 cm, has lobed leaves and white flowers grouped in umbels that keep the seeds.

Since ancient times, in cultures such as Egyptian, Chinese, Greek or Roman anise seeds have been used as a natural remedy in popular medicine, as well as in the preparation of drinks and food.

Green anise belongs to the same botanical family as other medicinal and aromatic plants such as parsley , coriander or coriander, and dill , and vegetables such as carrots , fennel , parsnips, and celery .

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Medicinal properties of green anise

Anise has essential oils and flavonoids, among other compounds. It has digestive, tonic, relaxing, carminative, expectorant, antiseptic, fungicidal action.

Benefits and uses of green anise

Improves digestive system conditions

Avoid bad breath or halitosis

It is a natural remedy for candidiasis

Helps eliminate gas from the intestinal tract

It is used to relieve colic

Promotes sleep and improves rest

It serves to mitigate the headache

Improves symptoms of the common cold

Eliminate fungi

Helps to expel accumulated phlegm or mucus

Relieves nerves and anxiety

It is very useful in case of bronchitis and asthma

Relieves fluid retention

Home remedies with green anise

* The most common way to take advantage of its properties is to prepare an infusion with the slightly crushed seeds to which we add boiling water. Cover and let stand 5 minutes. Then we strain and drink little by little as it cools down. Thus we improve colic, indigestion and other discomforts related to the digestive system.

* Do you want to have fresh breath? Chew on some anise seeds.

* We can also add its leaves and flowers to salads, the latter will give a very pleasant aroma and we will take advantage of its medicinal properties.

* Take an infusion of the crushed seeds before going to bed to sleep well.

* For nerves and anxiety prepare an infusion with the leaves of the plant.

Green anise cultivation

They are usually cultivated from the month of April. Anise is a plant that requires deep soils, so if you plan to plant it in pots, make sure that it is at least 50 cm deep.

They like slightly acidic, airy, spongy soils with good drainage.

Bury the seed about 2 cm deep, cover carefully and water with a little water. At most in two weeks it will have already started to germinate, yes, you must make sure that the seedbed is not below 15 ºC.

Anise is a plant that needs several hours of sun to grow well, so, once transplanted, do not hesitate to put it in a sunny place.

It needs regular waterings and with little amount of water.