Herb
Anise (Aniseed)
A licorice-scented seed, brewed as tea, traditionally used to loosen a cough and ease a gassy, bloated stomach.
📊 How it ranks (our editor score) — 82/100Tap to see the breakdown
🌱 What it is
Anise, or aniseed, is a small fragrant seed from a Mediterranean plant, valued for its sweet, licorice-like flavor in teas, baked goods, and cooking.
✨ Why it's good for you
- May help loosen an occasional cough
- May help ease gas and a bloated stomach after meals
- May help support comfortable digestion
- May help soothe the throat when sipped warm
🥗 Nutrition
Per 1 tsp whole seed (2 g) · about 7 calories
- Iron 0.8mg
- Calcium 14mg
- Potassium 30mg
- Fiber 0.8g
Source: USDA FoodData Central
🥄 How to use it
Steep 1 teaspoon of lightly crushed aniseed in hot water for 10 minutes, sweetened with a little honey, and sip for a cough or after meals for digestionHow your body breaks food down into pieces small enough to use for energy. More →.
How much: 1 teaspoon crushed seeds as teaA warm drink made by steeping herbs in hot water. How to make a tea →, sweetened, a few times daily.
Show full details & how to prepare it
Anise is the sweet, licorice-scented seed behind many an old cough syrupA sweet, thick herbal liquid that soothes the throat. How to make a syrup → and after-dinner teaA warm drink made by steeping herbs in hot water. How to make a tea →. It has a gentle loosening effect that helps bring up a stubborn cough, and a calming action on a gassy, bloated stomach.
A simple teaA warm drink made by steeping herbs in hot water. How to make a tea → of the crushed seeds, softened with honey, is the traditional way to enjoy it. The seed and tea are gentle, while the concentrated oil is strong; and it's worth buying from a reputable source so you get true aniseed.
Ways to prepare it
⚠️ Cautions
- Food and tea amounts are gentle; the concentrated oil is strong and not for casual internal use.
- Its mild estrogen-like activity means those with hormone-sensitive conditions, and pregnant women, should avoid large medicinal doses.
- Don't confuse aniseed with the toxic, unrelated star anise look-alikes; buy from a reputable source.
📚 What others say
- A traditional cough-and-digestion seed
- Long used to loosen coughs and ease bloating
Learn more
🕊️ A word of encouragement
A sweet seed to soothe the cough and calm the gut. Gentle remedies, like gentle words, often do the most good.
💬 Ask Remy about Anise (Aniseed)
📚 Resource confidence
Based on mentions in health references
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