Health benefits of anise/ fennel seeds( saunf)

Health benefits of anise

• Exotic anise spice contains some of the important plants derived chemical compounds that are known to have been anti-oxidant, disease preventing, and health promoting properties.
• The chief component that gives the characteristic sweet, aromatic flavor to anise is anethole, the essential volatile oil present in the seeds. Other important compounds found in these seeds includeestragol, p-anisaldehyde, anise alcohol, acetophenone, pinene and limonene.
• Anise seed oil obtained from extraction of the seeds is found application in many traditional medicines asstomachic, anti-septic, anti-spasmodic, carminative, digestive, expectorant, stimulant and tonic.
• The seeds are an excellent source of many essential B-complex vitamins such as pyridoxine, niacin, riboflavin, and thiamin. Pyridoxine (vitamin B-6) helps increase GABA neuro-chemical levels in the brain.
• The spicy seeds are the great source of minerals like calcium, iron, copper, potassium, manganese, zinc and magnesium. 100 g dry seeds contain 36.96 mg or 462% daily required levels of iron. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps control heart rate and blood pressure.
• Copper is a cofactor for many vital enzymes, including cytochrome C-oxidase and superoxide dismutase(other minerals function as cofactors for this enzyme are manganese and zinc). Copper is also required in the production of red blood cells.
• The spice also contains good amounts of anti-oxidant vitamins such as vitamin-C and vitamin-A.
  
  

  Medicinal use

  Anise seed as well its oil have found application in many traditional medicines for their distinctive health promoting and disease preventing roles.
  • Anise preparations are an excellent remedy for asthma, bronchitis cough as well as digestive disorders such as flatulence, bloating, colicky stomach pain, nausea and indigestion.
  • The essential oil comprises 75 - 90% anethole, which has an observed estrogenic effect. The decoction obtained from the seeds oftentimes is prescribed in the nursing mothers to promote breast-milk production.
  • Anise seed water is very helpful in relieving running nose condition in infants.
• The seeds are chewed after a meal in India to refresh the breath.

Culinary uses

Anise seeds, oil as well as fresh young leaves are used in cooking. The flavor is heightened by dry-frying the seeds. Anise is used in savory and sweet dishes to which it imparts sweet-aromatic flavor to variety of cuisines. The whole seeds and often-times freshly grounded powder added to the recipes at the last moment to limit the evaporation of essential volatile oils in them.

• This delicate spice is being used as flavoring base for soups, sauces, breads, cakes, biscuits and confectionary.
• Popular aniseed flavor drinks include prenod, french pastis, spanish ojen etc.
• Anise seeds as well as its oil have been in use in the preparation of sweet dishes in many Asian countries.
• It is used as a flavoring base in the preparation of herbal tea; and a liquor called anisette.
  
  
  
  
  ps- this is only for information, always consult you physician before having any particular food/ medication/exercise/other remedies.
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