Aniseseed oil is distilled from the dried seeds of an annual herb that is native to Greece and Egypt. With its warm, spicy, licorice-like aroma and taste, it is reported to have an uplifting and comforting effect on the mind. It is widely used as a flavoring. Aniseseed oil has been said to have excellent antispasmodic and antiseptic properties. As an expectorant, it is used to treat asthma and other respiratory conditions.