2. Aniseed

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With a strongly distinct licorice aroma, there’s no mistaking aniseed for any other spice. Aniseed contains a compound called anethole, which has proven itself as an effective digestive aid. That’s not all aniseed has in its bag of tricks however. It’s also been proven to help alleviate bad breath, colic, constipation and stomach cramps and has the power to relax the muscles of the respiratory tract, which can help asthma sufferers. Researchers in the Middle East also discovered that aniseed extract stopped the formation of ulcers in animals that had damaged stomachs.