Q&A for How to Make Anise Tea

If you like, you can use a teabag to place the anise seeds or leaves inside for steeping. Health food stores often sell empty teabag pouches that allow you to add your own herbs and spices or tea leaves inside. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for adding the leaves or seeds.

Yes, you certainly can. See the Method detailing using milk for this tea. You will need to experiment to see how much sugar you find suitable in this tea, it's not usually added but there's no reason why you can't add some.

No.

Star anise is a different spice. While it can be made into a tea, it is not the same as anise (aniseed). Care must be taken to ensure you are using the Chinese star anise, as the Japanese star anise is toxic.

No, as noted in the Tips below, this spice is anise or aniseed, and is not to be confused with star anise. See the Tips for the scientific names.

It may help to soothe the unpleasant feeling accompanying the nature of being congested. In terms of releasing the mucus, it may help to dislodge a little (it is added to many cough mixtures as an expectorant), but if the discomfort persists, then your best bet is to talk to your pharmacist or doctor for more advice.

You may want to make it in a pan. You'll want to funnel it into a jug and leave it in the freezer for a couple hours, then put it in the fridge so you can drink it when you like.

Yes, but be careful about how much you add. Do some research on safe and proper dosages, and check with your doctor if you have any existing health conditions that you are particularly concerned about.

Anise can decrease the effects of birth-control pills and tamoxifen/Nolvadex, so don't drink it if you take either of those. It can also worsen any medical condition that is affected by exposure to estrogen such as endometriosis or breast cancer (ask your doctor if you don't know whether this applies to you). Otherwise, it's probably fine, but because the effects of anise on developing babies and newborns is unknown, you should avoid it if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.