Herbs & Herbal Remedies @ Green Papaya

Many herbalists recommend anise during pregnancy to treat morning sickness. The herb has never been associated with miscarriage or birth defects, but the medical consensus is that pregnant women should steer clear of all drugs, including medical doses of herbs.

Estrogen-and even herbs such as anise that have mild estrogenic activity-may conceivably cause harm. Estrogen is an ingredient in birth control pills, so any woman whose physician advises her not to use the Pill should consult her doctor about anise’s estrogenic activity before using medicinal quantities of the herb. Estrogen may contribute to migraine headaches and abnormal blood clotting and promote the development of certain types of breast tumors.

Other Cautions

Anise is on the Food and Drug Administration’s list of herbs generally regarded as safe. In medicinal amounts, it is considered safe for otherwise healthy nonpregnant, nonnursing adults. High doses of anise oil-on the order of several teaspoons-may cause nausea and vomiting. Anise should be used in medicinal amounts only in consultation with your doctor. If anise causes minor discomforts, such as stomach upset or diarrhea, use less or stop using it. Let your doctor know if you experience any unpleasant effects or if the symptoms for which the herb is being used do not improve significantly in two weeks.

Native Cultivation - A licorice-Scented Garden

Anise is an erect annual that reaches 2 feet. Its smooth stem supports feathery leaves divided into many leaflets, and umbrella-like clusters of tiny white or yellow flowers, which bloom in midsummer and produce small, downy, ribbed fruits in late summer.

Anise grows from seeds planted at a depth of 1/8 inch after danger of frost has passed. Rich, well-drained soil and full sun are best, but the herb tolerates poorer soils. Seeds require a temperature of about 70°F to germinate, typically in one to two weeks.

Anise’s long taproot precludes successful transplanting beyond the seedling stage. Thin seedlings to 18-inch spacing. Anise is easy to grow, but it may become spindly or suffer wind damage in unsheltered locations.

Harvest the seeds when they have turned from green to grayish brown by cutting the entire flower head before the seed clusters have broken open. Collect the flowers in a paper bag to prevent seed scatter. Dry seeds on paper or cloth in a sunny location. Store in tightly sealed opaque containers to preserve the volatile oil.

Anise and star anise should not be confused with Japanese Anise (Illicium landeo/atum), which is poisonous.