
                                     ANISE 1/2
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                                    CULTIVATION:
     Anise  is  an erect annual herb that  reaches 2 feet in height. It's smooth
     stem supports feathery leaves divided into many leaflets, and umbrella-like
     clusters of tiny white or yellow flowers.

     Anise  needs a sunny and sheltered  location with well drained and alkaline
     soil. Sow seeds in late spring. Seeds lose their viability after the second
     year.  Anise requires about 4 months of warm, frost free weather to produce
     seeds.  Germination time is about 1-2 weeks. Thin to 8 inches apart. Do not
     transplant, so keep well weeded. Anise can also be grown indoors.

     Pick lower leaves as required. Collect flowers as they open. For seeds, cut
     plant at ground level when fruit begins to turn gray-green at the tips.


                                  CULINARY  USES:
     Anise  seeds  can be used whole or  crushed  in breads, cakes, apple pies,
     apple  sauces, cookies and confectionery. You  can also add anise seeds to
     cream cheese, pickles, curries and water of boiling shellfish.

     The flowers can be mixed into a fruit salad.

     Add  the  anise leaves to fruit salads  with figs, dates and chestnuts. Or
     you  can  use anise leaves as a garnish.  The  roots and stem can be mixed
     into soups and stews.


                                   MEDICAL  USES:
     Anise  can  be used as a treatment  for coughs, bronchitis and asthma. The
     herb  contains Creosol and Alpha-pinene  that loosen bronchial secretions
     and  make  them  easier to cough  up.  Another chemical called Anethole in
     anise acts as a digestive aid.

     For an infusion, gently crush 1 teaspoon of anise seeds per cup of boiling
     water. Steep for 10-20 minutes and strain. Drink up to 3 cups a day.

     Diluted  anise infusion may be given cautiously to infants to treat colic.
     For   older  children  and  people  over   65,  begin  with  low  strength
     preparations and increase strength if necessary.

     Women  whose  doctor advises her not to  take the pill should consult their
     doctor  about anise estrogenic activity  before using medicinal quantities
     of the herb.

     Oil  if anise is widely used in  commercial baked goods, as a flavoring in
     cough syrups, cough drops and tooth past and powders.


                                      WARNING:
     High  doses  of  anise oil, on the  order  of  several teaspoons, may cause
     nausea  and  vomiting. Anise and stare  anise  should not be confused with
     Japanese anise that is poisonous.
     



                                     ANISE 2/2
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                                    OTHER  USES:
     Anise  rich  taste  of  licorice is  used  to  make candy. Most "licorice"
     candies contain no licorice.  They're being flavored with anise.

     Crushed seeds can be used in potpourris.


                                   COSMETIC USES:
     Chew anise seeds slowly, this is a great and natural breath sweetener.
     
