Pimpinella anisum, more commonly called anise, is an herb that has many uses from flavoring foods such as licorice to herbal medicinal treatments. While little clinical evidence exists for the medicinal benefits of anise, herbalists have used it to treat bronchitis and asthma, as well as an antispasmodic and as an expectorant, Drugs.com reports. Anise oil also may help treat psoriasis, and help eliminate infestations of scabies and lice. More commonly, people use anise as a food flavoring in such things as liqueurs and candy. It does contain a variety of vitamins when eaten or taken in specific amounts, such as 100 g.
B Vitamins
Anise contains most of the B vitamins, Bitelog.com reports. For example, it contains thiamin or B-1, B-6, pantothenic acid or B-5, niacin or B-3, B-12, folic acid and riboflavin or B-2. These B vitamins contribute to many functions of your body. Thiamin, for example, helps your muscles and nervous system function properly. Riboflavin helps your body break down fats, proteins and carbohydrates, MayoClinic.com reports. The National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements states that vitamin B-12 helps make healthy blood cells and nerve cells, as well as helping to formulate DNA materials in your cells. Vitamin B-6 helps your body in many ways, including boosting your immune system and helping to create normal nervous system function.
Vitamin A
When you ingest anise, you also get some vitamin A into your body. Vitamin A, the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements reports, helps your vision to work correctly, as well as to help your bones grow adequately. The organization states that vitamin A also helps your immune system to work efficiently, preventing infections. This vitamin also aids your urinary and respiratory systems by keeping the linings of these systems healthy.
Vitamin C
Anise also contains approximately 21 mg of vitamin C per 100 g portion. Ascorbic acid, another name for vitamin C, functions in your body to aid your immune system to create collagen for healing of wounds, the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements states. It also helps your body prevent cells from damage.
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