When you want to add a little of something, but you're not quite sure what. So there you have it, allspice is the Swedish meatball spice. Sold in seed form. Anise smells like black licorice, though it is actually a member of the parsley family. Anise seeds are used as a flavoring in some cookies.
Anise extract is used to flavor the Greek liquor ouzo.
And apparently it also has its uses as a medicine for expelling internal gas. Basil is available in both fresh and dried forms. Fresh basil and dried basil are completely separate entities, and may not be freely substituted for each other. Fresh basil is readily available in summertime, and as fall encroaches, one will notice the price of basil drift higher and higher. Fresh basil is the key ingredient in making pesto, which when made well is a beautiful thing.