Herb Description: One of the most ancient herbs, anise is native to Southern Europe and the Mediterranean. In ancient Palestine, anise was highly valued and used as a form of currency for payment of taxes. In the United States, anise has been grown since the fourteenth century. In England in 1305, anise was so popular as a spice or medicine that King Edward I put a tax on it to raise money to repair London Bridge. Anise seeds have a wide variety of medicinal uses and are rich in volatile oil, flavonoids and other important nutrients. The distinctive flavor of anise can be found in licorice as well as certain kinds of cookies, bread, sausage, and cheese; almost every culture has a special confection that contains this sweet herb.