Anise seed, or Pimpinella anisum, is a powerhouse of a spice. You probably know it by its strong licorice flavor. It’s a key ingredient in liquors like orzo and absinthe, and in holiday cookies like Pfefferneusse and Springerle.
Anise's use in cooking dates back to the ancient Egyptians, though it was the Romans who ate anise seed cakes after meals to ease digestion. Anise is also a traditional digestive aid in India, where people also know it as a breath freshener.
Anise is easy to grow in the garden, where it serves as a natural insecticide. But it’s after harvest when it can really go to work for you nutritionally.
Health Benefits
Anise is a folk remedy around the world, used for everything from coughs and colds to stomach problems. Scientists are starting to figure out the chemical processes behind these benefits and identify even more uses for anise.
Blood Health
Anise seed contains relatively high concentrations of iron, which is an essential component of a red blood cell protein called hemoglobin. If the hemoglobin in your blood doesn’t contain enough iron, it can’t do its job of transporting oxygen to your body tissues. Ongoing lack of iron can lead to iron-deficiency anemia, which causes symptoms like:
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Trouble concentrating
- Digestive issues
- Poor body temperature regulation
Eating foods rich in iron, like anise seed, can keep your blood healthy and reduce your risk of iron deficiency anemia.
Depression Treatment
Several studies have shown that anise seed can reduce the symptoms of clinical depression. In mice, anise relieved symptoms of depression as effectively as two commonly used antidepressants.