ANISETTE, OR ANISEED. 49 
volatile oil, and a solid camphor called “anethol.” The oil, 
being mixed with spirit of wine as an essence, or the liqueur 
anisette from the liqueur case, has a specially beneficial action 
on the bronchial tubes to encourage expectoration, particularly 
with children. For infantile catarrh, after its first feverish stage 
is over, aniseed tea is very helpful. It should be made by 
pouring half a pint of boiling water on two teaspoonfuls of the 
seeds, first bruised in a mortar, and is to be taken (when suffi- 
ciently sweetened) cold, in doses of one, two, or three teaspoonfuls 
according to the age of the child, with repetitions as needed. 
Gerarde teaches that Aniseed “helpeth the yeoxing, or hicket 
(hiccough), and should be given to young children to eat which 
are like to have the falling sickness, or to such as have it by 
patrimony, or succession.” 
Again, for spasmodic asthma, anisette is, if administered in hot 
water, an immediate palliative. The Germans have an almost 
superstitious belief in the medicinal virtues of Aniseed, and all 
their ordinary household bread is plentifully besprinkled with 
the whole seeds. The mustacex, or spiced cakes of the Romans, 
introduced at the end of a rich feast so as to prevent indigestion, 
consisted of meal with anise, and other such aromatics, as used 
for staying putrescence or sour fermentation within the intestines. 
Such a cake was formerly brought in at the close of a marriage 
banquet ; and hence the bride cake of modern times has taken 
its origin, though now its rich, heavy composition is rather apt 
to produce indigestion than to prevent this trouble. An old 
Latin epithet of the herb Anise was “ solamen intestinorum,” 
—comforter of the bowels. 
In the city of Naples, “long before dawn, and whilst unseen 
by the most active of visitors, comes up and down into the poorer 
streets a tattered fellow blowing a shrill whistle. ‘O Caffé!’ 
he shouts as he tramps from cellar to garret of the lofty houses, 
rousing the sleepy people to their work, and setting down at 
their doors the comfortable drink which fortifies them for the 
day. He carries a small bottle of Aniseed, and pours a drop or 
two into every cup.” 
For the restlessness of lagging digestion at night, a cup of 
Aniseed tea made by pouring boiling water on the bruised seeds 
(tied in a small bit of muslin) and sweetening the infusion, is 
much to be commended at bedtime. Besides containing the 
volatile oil, Anise yields phosphates, malates, gum, and a resin. 
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