5 Proven Health Benefits Of Anise

Anise or Aniseed herb is the greenish-brown, ridged seeds of Pimpinella anisum plant. Besides being a flavouring agent, anise seeds offer innumerable health benefits due to their anti-fungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Also known as sweet cumin, the sweet flavour of aniseed resembles the flavour of black licorice. Anise seed, anise oil, the root, and the leaf all are used for medicinal purposes.

# Decreases symptoms of menstrual disorders

Aniseed contains anethole, which is an estrogenic agent. Dianethole and photoanethole are derivatives of anethole that help in decreasing the symptoms of menstrual disorders, increases the production of breast milk, facilitates birth, and promote menstruation.

# Regulates blood sugar levels

1. The active content of anise, anethole helps regulate the blood sugar levels.

2. Anethole, further enhances the function of pancreas cells which produce insulin.

# Boosts lactation

1. Aniseed helps in enhancing lactation in breastfeeding mothers.

2. The diantheole and photoantheole content of anise have an estrogenic effect that enhances lactation.

# Maintains oral health

1. Anise seed helps maintain oral health.

2. The anti-microbial and the anti-bacterial properties of anise seeds makes it an ideal ingredient of a mouth wash. It helps fight against foul breath and also oral swelling.

# Produces a sedative and narcotic effect

1. The anise essential oil possesses a narcotic and a sedative effect thus, relaxing the epileptic and hysteric attacks by decreasing blood circulation, respiration, and nervous response.

2. Aniseed is useful in preventing seizures, sedating nervous conditions, convulsions etc.