Anise

Backstory
In France, you may have enjoyed “une aperitif Anisette,” a sweet liqueur flavored with anise that smacks of licorice. Called ouzo in Greece, raki in Turkey and sambuco in Italy, it’s served before meals to aid digestion. In Greece, ouzo is Americanized with coke (coca-cola, that is) for a soda-like beverage popular in cafés and among friends.
 
Benefits
Anise is a sweet herb perfect for those concerned with flatulence (after a spicy meal or a bean burrito) as it mitigates gas build-up in the intestinal tract.
Because it’s carminative in expelling air, anise helps with digestion, especially after rich, heavy meals during the holidays.
Anise is used in cough mixes and drops, too.
 

Uses
After dance practice, cool off with a hip drink on the rocks—with a splash of anisette mixed water or club soda on ice.
Fragrant essential oil of anise wards off mold (and the Evil Eye, tis said).
The ancients used anise oil for toothaches—it’s antiseptic, as well.