It has been claimed that anise seed was found in Egypt as early as 1500 BC. Pliny the Elder claimed that if it were tucked under the pillow at night, the inhalation of the aroma would prevent disagreeable dreams.

Anise seed was one of the herbs considered to be an aphrodisiac as “it market abundance of milk and stirred up bodily lust”.

In the sixth century, Pythagoras believed that the herb would prevent belching and stomach disorders, that it was useful for scorpion bites while others taught it would provoke the flow of urine, would sweeten the breath and prevent the shortness of breath in sufferers of that malady.

Countries of origin:
Warm temperate and Mediterranean type climates worldwide, especially Spain, Greece, Egypt, Mexico, and India.

Types of anise seed:
The essential oil of anise seed is delicately smooth, highly aromatic and superior to the synthetic oil of anise seed made from isolated fractions of pine oil or to the corresponding oil distilled from China star anise.

China star anise a substitute for anise seed. This substitute comes from an evergreen tree which reaches a height of 60ft. It is Indigenous to the southern and southwestern provinces of China and North Vietnam. This fruit is star shaped, made up of eight, canoe shaped, carpals radiating from a central axis. Each carpal contains one seed which is dark brown after drying. The aroma and flavor of the extract is very similar to that of the true anise seed, except it is considered by experts to be harsher and lacking in the fine bouquet.

Identification:
Small grey-green seeds of anise plant which grows to about 2ft. Plant annual with yellow-white flowers in clusters with small fruit which splits into two seeds.

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