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Anise Green
Pimpinella anisum
Digestive conditions and colic since ancient Egypt
Anise contains trans-anethole, which acts as a carminative by relaxing smooth muscle in the gastrointestinal tract. This antispasmodic action helps relieve gas, bloating, and colic. The volatile oils also stimulate digestive enzyme secretion. Traditional use spans millennia, from ancient Egypt to modern Middle Eastern medicine, though clinical evidence remains limited (Level C). The herb's expectorant properties work similarly by relaxing respiratory tract muscles.
Does anise interact with any medications?
Anise may interact with estrogen-containing medications, including birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy, due to its phytoestrogenic compounds like trans-anethole. Theoretically, it could interfere with anticoagulants due to coumarin content. Anise may also affect how the liver processes certain drugs metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes. Consult a healthcare provider before combining anise with hormonal therapies or blood thinners. Evidence level: C.
What is the recommended dosage for anise seed tea?
The standard adult dosage for anise seed is 1-3 grams of crushed seeds prepared as a tea, taken up to three times daily. For liquid extracts, 1-2ml of tincture three times daily is typical. Steep crushed seeds in hot water for 10-15 minutes to extract volatile oils effectively. Dosage for children should be proportionally reduced and supervised by a qualified practitioner. These recommendations are based on traditional use with limited clinical evidence (Level C).
Is anise safe to take during pregnancy?
Anise is considered unsafe during pregnancy when used in medicinal doses. The compound trans-anethole has estrogenic properties that may stimulate uterine contractions or affect hormonal balance. Culinary amounts in food are generally considered acceptable, but therapeutic doses should be avoided. Women with estrogen-sensitive conditions, including certain breast cancers, should also exercise caution. Always consult a healthcare provider before using herbal remedies during pregnancy. Evidence level: C.
What is anise used for in herbal medicine?
Anise has been used medicinally since ancient Egyptian times primarily for digestive complaints, including indigestion, gas, and colic. It serves as a carminative to relieve bloating and as an expectorant for respiratory congestion. Traditional Middle Eastern medicine employs anise for coughs and bronchitis. Nursing mothers have historically used it as a galactagogue to promote milk production. It has also been used to support menstrual regularity. Evidence level: C for most applications.
What are the side effects of anise?
Anise is generally well-tolerated in culinary amounts. Rare side effects include photosensitivity due to furocoumarin content, making skin more sensitive to sunlight. Allergic reactions are possible, particularly in individuals sensitive to plants in the Apiaceae family, such as fennel, carrot, or celery. Contact dermatitis has been reported in some cases. Discontinue use if skin rash, itching, or difficulty breathing occurs. Evidence level: C for adverse effects.
PubMed-compiled information sheet
This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 29 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Pimpinella anisum (Anise) is a medicinal herb used for its antimicrobial, gastroprotective, and galactagogue properties [PMID:30000835, 37446993, 17373749].
Background
Anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) is an aromatic plant widely used in folk medicine, pharmacy, and the food industry [PMID:22926042, 38334183].
Traditional uses
It has been used in folk medicine as an antiulcer, anticancer, antibacterial agent, and muscle relaxant [PMID:32145331].
Active compounds
The primary bioactive compound is trans-anethole [PMID:27427817, 37446993, 26619825]. Other constituents include chlorogenic acid, naringenin, gallic acid, ellagic acid, taxifolin, coffeic acid, syringic acid, eugenol, cis-anethole, methylchavicol, anisaldehyde, estragole, anisketone, linalool, coumarins, catechins, scopeletin, umbelliferone, estrols, beta-farnesene, limonene, and alpha-pinene [PMID:30000835, 37446993].
Mechanism of action
Anethole and polyphenols are noted to modulate intestinal motility and provide antimicrobial activity [PMID:39770978]. In rat models, Pimpinella anisum seeds attenuate colorectal cancer via antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic pathways [PMID:38103135].
Clinical evidence
Evidence ABreast milk volume
A meta-analysis indicated a small increase in milk volume on day 1 postpartum, with low certainty evidence for an increase on day 7 [PMID:30000835]. A randomized controlled trial also reported a statistically significant difference in milk volume between intervention and placebo groups across several days [PMID:36681821].
Evidence BGastrointestinal symptoms of COVID-19
Evaluated as an add-on therapy using 25g of powdered aniseed twice daily for 2 weeks in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial [PMID:38292939].
Evidence DGastric ulcers (Animal model)
Aqueous suspension significantly inhibited gastric mucosal damage induced by necrotizing agents and indomethacin in rats [PMID:17373749].
Evidence DDiabetic wound healing (Animal model)
A 10% methanolic extract significantly decreased wound size and improved fibroblast numbers in diabetic rats [PMID:31600102].
Safety & adverse effects
Aniseed can cause clinical allergy, including occupational rhinoconjunctivitis and gastrointestinal symptoms [PMID:12027075]. In fish models, concentrations above 100 mg L-1 caused 10% mortality [PMID:38630160].
Pregnancy & lactation
Maternal ingestion reportedly imparts an odor to breastmilk, possibly due to anethole excretion [PMID:30000835]. In term-pregnant rats, extracts attenuated spontaneous and agonist-induced uterine contractions [PMID:32145331].
Drug interactions
In mice, aniseed essential oil significantly decreased the peak plasma concentration of acetaminophen after oral application [PMID:26619825]. It also significantly increased the analgesic effect of codeine and enhanced motor impairment caused by midazolam [PMID:22926042].
Evidence summary
Evidence ranges from high-level meta-analyses and RCTs regarding lactation to preclinical animal studies for gastroprotection and wound healing; human clinical data for other indications are limited.
PubMed sources
1.PMID: 30000835 (2006) — Chemical Constituents, Antioxidant Potential, and Antimicrobial Efficacy of Pimpinella anisum Extracts against Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria. · Microorganisms
2.PMID: 38103135 (2024) — Anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) attenuates azoxymethane-induced colorectal cancer by antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic pathways in rats. · Environmental science and pollution research international
3.PMID: 37446993 (2023) — Pimpinella anisum L. Essential Oil a Valuable Antibacterial and Antifungal Alternative. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
4.PMID: 39770978 (2024) — Herbal Extracts Mixed with Essential Oils: A Network Approach for Gastric and Intestinal Motility Disorders. · Nutrients
5.PMID: 27427817 (2016) — Essential Oils, Part III: Chemical Composition.
Government sources
No direct government monograph is available for this herb. The content below is AI-generated and has not been verified against an authoritative government source. Use the search links to check official sources before relying on this information.
· Dermatitis : contact, atopic, occupational, drug
6.PMID: 26619825 (2016) — Pharmacokinetic Herb-Drug Interaction between Essential Oil of Aniseed (Pimpinella anisum L., Apiaceae) and Acetaminophen and Caffeine: A Potential Risk for Clinical Practice. · Phytotherapy research : PTR
7.PMID: 38292939 (2024) — Efficacy and safety of aniseed powder for treating gastrointestinal symptoms of COVID-19: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. · Frontiers in pharmacology
8.PMID: 22926042 (2012) — The influence of essential oil of aniseed (Pimpinella anisum, L.) on drug effects on the central nervous system. · Fitoterapia
9.PMID: 31600102 (2019) — Wound healing activity of Pimpinella anisum methanolic extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. · Journal of wound care
10.PMID: 17373749 (2007) — Aqueous suspension of anise "Pimpinella anisum" protects rats against chemically induced gastric ulcers. · World journal of gastroenterology
11.PMID: 38630160 (2024) — Efficacy of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) and anise (Pimpinella anisum) essential oils as anaesthesics in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L. 1758). · Fish physiology and biochemistry
12.PMID: 36681821 (2023) — The effect of Pimpinella Anisum herbal tea on human milk volume and weight gain in the preterm infant: a randomized controlled clinical trial. · BMC complementary medicine and therapies
13.PMID: 32145331 (2020) — Pimpinella anisum extract attenuates spontaneous and agonist-induced uterine contraction in term-pregnant rats. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
14.PMID: 12027075 (2002) — Occupational rhinoconjunctivitis and food allergy because of aniseed sensitization. · Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology : official publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology