Anise is a medicinal herb (Pimpinella anisum) that goes back centuries. Anise seed, anise oil, and occasionally, the root and leaf are used to make medicine to treat digestive problems and other issues. Anise was used in Egypt as early as 1500 B.C., according to some sources.
Anise is also used to flavour foods, beverages, candies, and breath fresheners, and as a fragrance in soap, creams, perfumes, and sachets. You might be familiar with its liquorice-like flavour and aroma.
Here's a look at some of the research on anise's potential health benefits.
1. Could Reduce Depression Symptoms
Depression is a common but debilitating condition. Surprisingly, some research suggests that anise seed may aid in the treatment of depression. Anise seed extract exhibited powerful antidepressant properties and was as effective as a common prescription medication used to treat depression, according to one study.
2. Abundant With Nutrients
Though anise seed is used in small amounts, each serving contains a good amount of several important micronutrients. Anise seed, in particular, is high in iron, which is necessary for the production of healthy blood cells in the body. It also has a trace of manganese, a mineral that acts as an antioxidant and is required for metabolism and development.
3. Boosts Immune System
Anise seed is high in vitamin C and vitamin A, which are both beneficial to our overall health and immune system. Vitamins C and A contain antioxidant properties that aid in the fight against free radicals and the prevention of oxidative damage to our healthy cells. The immune system is also strengthened by vitamin C by enhancing the generation of white blood cells.
4. Aids Skin
Anise seed is high in vitamin C, B vitamins, and minerals like phosphorus and zinc, all of which are beneficial to our skin's health. Vitamin C fights free radicals and prevents oxidative damage to our skin cells, which is the root cause of many skin problems such as wrinkles, dark spots, and so on.
5. Lowers Blood Sugar Level
Anise seed is high in dietary fibre and essential oils such as estragol, p-anisaldehyde, anise alcohol, acetophenone, pinene, and limonene, which are very beneficial for our overall health and also help to prevent the risk of diabetes because fibre helps to promote the production of insulin in our body, which helps to slow down sugar absorption in the bloodstream and thus helps to reduce blood sugar.
6. Reduces Inflammation
Anise seed contains a high concentration of essential oils, such as estragol, p-anisaldehyde, anise alcohol, acetophenone, pinene, and limonene, which have anti-inflammatory properties and aid in pain and swelling relief. Anise seed acts as an anti-inflammatory due to its high copper content; studies have shown that regular consumption of Anise seed can reduce various types of inflammation-related issues, such as arthritis.
7. Regulates Blood Pressure
Anise seed contains a lot of potassium, which acts as a vasodilator, meaning it relaxes the blood vessels and allows blood to flow smoothly through the arteries. Aside from these studies, it has been demonstrated that consuming potassium-rich foods, such as anise seed, on a regular basis can lower blood pressure and prevent various types of disease, such as hypertension.