Anise is a native to the eastern Mediterranean region and has been
highly valued since ancient times. Aniseeds have a distinctively licorice
type flavor and have been used for medicinal purposes throughout in
history.
Anise is from parsley family and, like parsley it is used as a mouth
freshener from a long time back.
Anise seeds can be steeped in boiled water at home to produce home made
mouth wash. Many mouthwashes and tooth paste available in market contain
anise. It is a sweet, warming and stimulating herb with estrogenic and
expectorant effect, traditionally regarded to have aphrodisiac properties.