Benefits of Anise - A Natural Fat Burning Food

Discover the incredible weight loss benefits of anise, how to best prepare it and how much you should use to get maximum benefit from anise - one of nature's amazing fat burning foods. Anise, alternately referred to as aniseed and sweet cumin, is categorized as both a vegetable and an herb; it is part of the same family where you would find fennel, dill, caraway, and cumin. The leaves, seeds, and flowers of anise can be put into foods as well as different medications. The anise plant is tall and has small, feathery green leaves. The plant has white flowers and its fruit, which is frequently referred to as a seed, has the appearance of a ribbed seed. Ripened anise seeds are greenish brown or gray-green in color. Anise tastes somewhat like fennel with a hint of licorice flavor.

Fat Fighting Benefits of Anise

The medicinal qualities of anise have been known to man as far back as the ancient Egyptians and Romans. Anise aids in the body's digestion and fat metabolism. In the Middle East, India, and in parts of Europe, anise is used as a breath freshener. Acting as a mild expectorant, you will often find anise in cough drops and cough medicine. It also has a diuretic effect, allowing the body to eliminate toxins. Anise also acts as an antiseptic or an antispasmodic. The anise plant is home to some volatile oils, like: anethole, methylchavicol and terpenes, furanocumarins, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, rutin, and sterols. Anise is also known to help a person regain equilibrium and reduce stress and tension.

Preparing Foods With Anise

Bakers make very good use of anise seeds, which are used to bake different types of cookies, including biscotti or springerle. You can also use them to bake breads or make sausages. Anise seeds are used to season curry and hoisin, and can also be the foundation for herbal tea. Just as in making any other infusion, to create an herbal tea using anise, pour a cup boiling water over the anise and allow it to sit for 5 minutes. Then strain the liquid and drink it. Once the plant is harvested, the anise seeds should be dried and then kept in a cool, dark location.

Anise seed in usually available in Indian spice stores and in the spice section of many grocery stores. Anise seeds are frequently used in Chinese cooking, where they are used to flavor poultry and to prepare foods that are supposed to simmer for a long time. You will also find anise seed in Chinese soups and bases. Star anise, a spice from China, is frequently used in place of anise. More powerful than regular anise, you only use about 1/3 as much of this spice. Distilled anise oils are used to flavor licorice.

How Much To Use

How much anise seed you require depends on what you are trying to cook. Keep in mind, you really only need a little bit to get the job done. How much you require to make herbal teas depends on which form of anise you use.

The following serves as a rule of thumb:
When using parts of a fresh plant, you will need ¼ cup.
When using dried anise, you need 2 tablespoons.
When using bark or seeds, use a tablespoon of bark, and twice as much seed.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_O'Connor
http://EzineArticles.com/?Benefits-of-Anise---A-Natural-Fat-Burning-Food&id=5604378