Lorraine (Charles Town, WV, USA) on 10/31/2008
http://www.aniseeds.com/index.html
http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/learn/eo/anise.html
http://www.raysahelian.com/anise.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anise_seed
Some restrictive use comments:
Use only in moderation. Has been known to cause dermatitis. Can act as a narcotic and slow down circulation in large quantities, which can lead to cerebral disorders. Do not use while pregnant, nursing or without doctors knowledge if being treated for serious conditions such as cancer, pulminory disease, or blood pressure.
Also, PLEASE note that Star Anise (Illicium floridianum) and Anise are NOT the same plant. Some forms of Star Anise are toxic, such as Japaneese Star Anise (Illicium anisatum) whcih is known to contain sikimotoxin.
Replied By Jen (Kailua-kona, Hawaii, Usa) on 08/05/2009
It is also used to aid digestion and diminish gas, and a cup of hot milk with some anise steeped in it is an old remedy for insomnia, as well as being very warming on those cold winter nights.
Replied By Sindee (California) on 03/17/2017