Many of you may not be familiar with the word Aniseed Myrtle, perhaps this could be the first time you are reading it. You are not alone.

What Is Aniseed Myrtle

Aniseed Myrtle is a native plant to the Australian rainforest of southern Queensland and northern New South Wales. Aniseed myrtle is also called Native Anis or ringwood. Despite being only grown in somewhat rare rainforest it also has been grown commercially since the 1990s to meet a growing demand for its leaves. In Australia itself, the leaves are being used as a Bush tucker spice or bush spice. These bush spices are made from the leafs or fruits of native plants of Australia such as Aniseed Myrtle and being used to season food or boil tea. Mostly due to Aniseed Myrtle imparts a rich aniseed flavor.

Also known as the Latin and science name of Syzygium anisatum, aniseed myrtle has been classified to be closely related to cinnamon myrtle, curry myrtle, and lemon myrtle. The Australian native tribes, the aborigines usually used the leaves to flavor foods cooked in earth ovens and to prepare drinks. Many parts of aniseed myrtle can be used for various reasons. The leaves, for example, are known to be very aromatic. The flavor of the leaves it self are very similar to true aniseed. This is one of many reasons why the trees of aniseed myrtle have been grown commercially since the 1990s. The trees, then, will be extracted for their essential oils, which will be used in the making perfumes.

Not only the fresh aniseed myrtle are useful and have been grown almost worldwide, dried aniseed myrtle leaves are also being grown due to the popularity. The dried aniseed myrtle leaves are also being sold as both culinary herbs for food and for making teas. Apart from being used in perfume and for consumption, Aniseed myrtle is also being used as an aromatherapy and for diffusion applications, this is mainly because of their powerful aroma.

Nutrition Of Anise Myrtle For Health

Mother earth has blessed us with so many wonderful plants and flowers. Some for us to admire, others to give benefits to our health. Many time it will be both pretty and healthy and sometimes, it’s the exact opposite. Some of the ugliest plants to be witnessed on this planet earth carried the most health benefits to our body.

Today, we will be taking the subject of health benefits of Aniseed myrtle. We have touched briefly about the origin of Aniseed Myrtle and few of its usages, such as aromatherapy, food flavoring, and perfumes. But Aniseed Myrtle, does not stop there, in fact the plant of white flowers and curly leaves has many health benefits.

1. Medical & Vitamin Supplements of  Aniseed Myrtle

Aniseed Myrtle is one the herbs which traditionally has been used to treat anorexia, hiccuping or epigastric pain. It has anti septic feature and cancer – preventative. Scientists have found that consuming aniseed myrtle regularly may help the body fighting with radical active which is the main cause of cancer. It is also carminative, expectorant, fungicide, insecticide and gastro stimulant in nature. Aniseed myrtle can also relax your stomach pains caused by cramp or menstrual period pains.

Apart from being in the medical field as medicines and vitamins, aniseed myrtle has been widely used in the fragrance industry for cosmetics.

2. Food & Beverages of Anise Myrtle

As mentioned before Aniseed Myrtle has been widely used as a flavoring agent in many numbers of foods and beverages products. Aniseed Myrtle will enrich the aroma and taste of any food and beverages, making it one of the most popular and versatile native Australian herbs available. Other than for medical and food, below are the healthy benefits of aniseed myrtle

3. Used as flavoring spice and herbal tea ingredient.

Aniseed myrtle leaves can be purchased either as dried, grounded or flaked. Each of them provides a strong aroma and taste. As the spice, aniseed myrtle should be used in a very minimal amount, as the aroma and flavors are already powerful, using too much of aniseed myrtle spices will make the taste becomes over powering. The usage of aniseed myrtle is varied, it can be added to various recipes, such as sauces and marinades, any meat recipes, baked goods, cookies, as dips or even as desserts.

4. The extracted oil has antimicrobial property.

Various research has indicated that anise myrtle oil has antimicrobial feature. This is why some native Australian tribes are using Aniseed Myrtle oil in their cooking apart from just the spices. Apart from having anti microbial feature, the extracted oil contains chavicol, imparting licorice and aniseed flavors.

5. Used for flavoring desserts, sweet sauces, and preserves.

Aniseed Mrtyle is also used as a scented sauce in meats and salad dressing. If you would like to start using aniseed myrtle, you may try this simple aniseed myrtle salad dressing.

To get many health benefits of Aniseed myrtle, these all you need are :

• one teaspoon of aniseed myrtle
• two tablespoons of sweet and sour sauce
• two tablespoons of lemon juice
• one tablespoon of fish sauce

Mix all above ingredients together and add it your salad.  Apart from being used in salad and desserts, Aniseed Myrtle is also being spice to enhance taste of meat, tea, ice cream, and biscuits.

6. Antibacterial

The leaves of  Aniseed Myrtle are the highest known sources of the chemical compound which can give the aniseed flavor and aroma. This leaves of aniseed myrtle are also beings used as a flavoring agent, sedative, expectorant, and stimulant in cough medicines, due to its high anti bacterial feature and can calm your throat after a series of infections caused by the viruses and bacteria. Apart from its anti virus feature, aniseed myrtle has been used to assist with weight loss for a long time, also with lactation and stomach pains.

7. Treats Cramps and Menstrual pains

Apart from issues related to stomach, such as bloating and food poisoning. The essential oil of Aniseed Myrtle has been used for centuries to ease reproductive and menstrual issues in women. The strong aroma of Aniseed Myrtle may also calm your mind and nerves, bringing an ease feeling to your crampy pain.

8. Aromatherapy

The nourishing and refreshing fragrance is a treat for the nostrils. It can bring ease to your respiratory system if you are caught with flu, cough or a runny nose. The strong aroma of aniseed myrtle can calm you if you are experiencing a series of panic attacks or anxiety. If you are having trouble to calm yourself at nights and trouble sleeping, inhaling aniseed myrtle may calm you.

9. Tonic

As a tonic, Aniseed myrtle can be used for your hair, especially if it’s colored hair. Aniseed Myrtle may be able to preserve the color to lasts longer, to make your hair stronger and act as anti dandruff. Other than to be used in your hair, Aniseed Myrtle tonic can also be used for your face, to protect your skin, remove dead cells, and even as anti – aging. Some people will drink Aniseed Myrtle tonic as a way to clean their digestive system.

10. Fights Fungi

If you are battling fungi on your body, then Aniseed Mrtyle may just be your go t0 solution. The anti microbes and anti bacterial properties of aniseed myrtle can also help to treat fungicide in your body. You may use powdered aniseed myrtle or paste aniseed myrtle and put it around and on the area of infected. Do this after every time you have taken shower and regularly for the better result.

More Natural Uses of Aniseed Mrtyle

Here are more health benefits of Aniseed Mrtyle essential oil:

1. Antioxidant
2. Antiseptic
3. Expectorant
4. Insecticide
5. Anesthetic
6. Antispasmodic

Now that you have known the health benefits of aniseed myrtle, you may start using it along with other spices and be included in one of your diets. Aniseed myrtle is another traditional herbal plant that the Earth serve us.