ANISE (Pimpinella Anisum)  , an umbelliferous plant found in Egypt and the Levant, and cultivated on the continent of Europe for medicinal purposes . The officinal part of the plant is the fruit, which consists of two united carpels, called a cremocarp . It is known by the' name of aniseed, and has a strong aromatic taste and a powerful odour . By distillation the fruit yields the volatile oil of anise, which is useful in the treatment of flatulence and colic in children . It may be given as Aqua Anisi, in doses of one or more ounces, or as the Spiritus Anisi, in doses of 5-20 minims . The main constituent of the oil (up to 90 %) is anethol, C10H120 or C6H4[1.4](OCH3)(CH:CH•CH3.) It• also contains methyl chavicol, anisic aldehyde, anisic acid, and' a terpene . Most of the oil of commerce, however, of which anethol is also the chief constituent, comes from Illicium verum (order Magnoliaceae, sub-order Wintereae), indigenous in N.E . China, the star-anise of liqueur makers . It receives its name from its flavour, and from its fruit spreading out like a star . The anise of the Bible (Matt. xxiii . 23) is Anethum or Peucedanum graveolens, i.e. dill (q.v.) .