
     ANISE ==========================

     CULTIVATION:  ============  Anise is an erect  annual  herb that reaches 2
     feet in height. Its 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 month  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
     loosens  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.

     Woman  whose  doctor advises her not to  take the pill should consul there
     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
     teaspoon,  may cause nausea and vomiting. Anise and stare anise should not
     be confused with Japanese anise which is poisonous.

     OTHER  USES:  ===========  Anise rich taste  of  licorice  is used to make
     candy.  Most  "licorice" candies contain  no  licorice, their are flavored
     with anise.

     Crushed seeds can be used in potpourris.











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