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Tlahui-Medic. No. 7, I/1999
Dr. Mario Rojas Alba Common name: Anise Botanical characteristics and
habitat: Originally from the East,
anise is cultivated widely in Europe and the Americas. It is rarely found in
its wild state. Anise is a herbaceous plant 20 inches tall (51 centimeters)
with alternate leaves lacking stipules and with a fusiform root. The round stem
branches terminally; it has umbels with 7 to 15 rays; the lower leaves are
petiolated, entire, and denticulate. The flowers are small and white in color. Properties: Carminative, aromatic, expectorant, spasmolytic,
galactogenous, and estrogenic. Uses in traditional medicine: Anise is used for problems of aerophagia, flatulence
and mild colic of nervous etiology. Anise oil is stomachic, diuretic,
carminative, spasmolytic and expectorant. Anethol stimulates all glands,
including the mammary glands, hence its galactogenous effect. Anise also has
substances with estrogenic effects. The plant is a very popular remedy for
flatulence, it also fortifies the stomach, treats bad breath and coughing. It
is believed that anise's healing properties are more efficient when the plant
is cut during Mercury's phase and under the signs of Gemini and Virgo. Remedies:
Constituents: Anise fruits has 2 to 6% of colorless volatile oil,
which contains up to 90% anethol and estragole (methyl-chavicol). Its seeds contain
30% oil (fatty acids), plus choline, tannin, resin, gum, benzoic acid, small
quantities of starch, sugar and proteinic material. Anise's pharmacological
name is Fructus anisi (Anise Fruit) and Oleum anisi (Anise Oil). Precautions & contraindications:
There are no known reports of toxic
reactions due to the traditional therapeutic use. Consult your doctor.  Mexican Ethnomedicine and Herbalist Course
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