Chap. 72.] ANISE. 271 



into the nostrils, it dispels liead-ache. With oil of iris it is 

 good for defiuxious and tumours of the eyes, and a decoc- 

 tion of it with vinegar is a cure for tooth-ache. Beaten up 

 and applied topically, or else chewed, it is used for ulcers 

 of the mouth, and combined with vinegar, it is good for 

 leprous sores and freckles on the skin. Taken in drink, with 

 the addition of nitre, it is good for hardness of breathing, and, 

 employed as a liniment, for indurations, tumours of long 

 standing, and suppurations. Taken several days in succession, 

 it augments the milk in women who ore nursing. 



The juice of this plant is collected"^ in the same manner as 

 that of henbane ; and, like it, if taken in too large doses, it 

 acts as a poison, a surprising fact, seeing that the seed is held 

 in esteem as a most agreeable seasoning for bread. ^^ The seed 

 cleanses the eyes also, acts as a diuretic, and promotes the men- 

 strual discharge ; and not only this, but I find it stated also, that 

 if thirty grains only are attached to the body, in a linen cloth, 

 it will have the effect of accelerating the after-birth. It is 

 stated, also, that beaten up in urine, it is a cure for corns on 

 the feet ; and that when burnt it kills gnats and Hies with the 

 smell. 



CHAP. 72. ANISE : SIXTY-ONE EEMEDIES. 



Anise,'*^ too, one of the comparatively small number of plants 

 that have been commended by Pythagoras, is taken in wine, 

 either raw or boiled, for the stings of scorpions. Both green 

 and dried, it is held in high repute, as an ingredient in all sea- 

 sonings and sauces, and we find it placed beneath the under- 

 crust of bread. ^^ Pat with bitter-almonds into the cloth 

 strainers*- for filtering wine, it imparts an agreeable flavour to 

 the wine : it has the eff'ect, also, of sweetening the breath, and 

 removing all bad odours from the mouth, if chewed in the 

 morning Avith smj-rnion*^ and a little honey, the mouth being 

 then rinsed with wine. 



This plant imparts a youthful look*^ to the features ; and if 



See B. XXV. c. 17. 39 gee B. xix. c. 52. 



38 



*o The Pimpinella auisum of Linnaeus. 



^^ It i.s still used in some countries us a seasoning with which bread and 

 pastry are powdered. *-^ See B. xiv. c. 28. 



•*■* See B. xix. cc. 48 and 62 : also B. xxvii. c. 97. 

 •11 This and the next statement are utterly fabulous. 



