Menu
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 16, 2018.
- Overview
What is Anise?
Anise is an annual herb that grows 0.3 to 0.6 m and is cultivated widely throughout the world. The flowers are yellow, compound umbels and its leaves are feather shaped. The greenish-brown, ridged seeds are used for food or the drug. They are harvested when ripe in autumn. Aniseed has an anethole-like odor and a sweet 'licorice-like' aromatic taste, which has led to the traditional use of anise oils in licorice candy.
Scientific Name(s)
Pimpinella anisumIn some texts, anise is referred to as Anisum vulgare or A. officinarum. Do not confuse with the 'Chinese star anise' (Illicium verum).
Common Name(s)
Anise also is known as aniseed, and sweet cumin.
What is it used for?
Traditional/Ethnobotanical uses
Anise has a history of use as a spice and fragrance. It has been cultivated in Egypt for at least 4,000 years. Recordings of its diuretic use and treatment of digestive problems and toothache are seen in medical texts from this era. In ancient Greek history, writings explain how anise helps breathing, relieves pain, provokes urine, and eases thirst. The oil has been used commercially since the 1800s. The fragrance is used in food, soap, creams, and perfumes. Anise often is added to licorice candy or used as a 'licorice' flavor substitute. It is a fragrant component of anisette liqueur. Anise is used widely as a flavoring in all food categories including alcohols, liqueurs, dairy products, gelatins, puddings, meats, and candies. It is sold as a spice, and the seeds are used as a breath freshener. The essential oil is used medicinally as well as in perfume, soaps, and sachets.
Unusual Uses One of the most unusual uses for anise extract is as a bait additive for catching fish. Many fishermen claim that when they add some anise extract to their bait, they are able to catch more fish. Some cooks also claim that a dash of anise extract adds a noteworthy additional flavor to Oysters Rockefeller.
Antispasmodic/Expectorant
Anise is well known as a carminative and an expectorant. Its ability to decrease bloating and settle the digestive tract still is used today, especially in pediatrics. In high doses, it is used as an antispasmodic and an antiseptic and for the treatment of cough, asthma, and bronchitis. Research reveals no clinical data regarding the use of anise as an expectorant or as an antimicrobial.
Other uses
The oil of anise has been used for the treatment of lice, scabies, and psoriasis.
What is the recommended dosage?
There are no recent clinical studies to guide use of anise. However, typical use in dyspepsia is 0.5 to 3 g of seed or 0.1 to 0.3 mL of the essential oil.
Contraindications
Contraindications have not yet been identified.
Pregnancy/Lactation
Aniseed is a reputed abortifacient. Excessive use is not recommended in pregnancy.
Interactions
None well documented.
Side Effects
Anise may cause allergic reactions of the skin, respiratory tract, and GI tract.
Toxicology
Ingestion of the oil may result in pulmonary edema, vomiting, and seizures.
References
1. Anise. Review of Natural Products. factsandcomparisons4.0 [online]. 2005. Available from Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. Accessed April 16, 2007.
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
More about anise
Related treatment guides
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 1, 2017.
Scientific Name(s): Pimpinella anisum L.
Common Name(s): Anise, Aniseed, Sweet cumin
Common Name(s): Anise, Aniseed, Sweet cumin
Clinical Overview
Use
Clinical data are lacking to support the wide-ranging traditional uses for anise; limited studies have been conducted in disorders of the GI tract and in menopause. Studies in rodents suggest effects on the CNS. The oil has been used to treat lice, scabies, and psoriasis.
Dosing
GI disorders: In limited clinical studies, anise 3 g powder taken after each meal (3 times per day) for 4 weeks has been studied for treatment of dyspepsia. Menopausal symptoms: Capsules containing P. anisum 330 mg taken 3 times daily for 4 weeks has been used for treatment of menopausal symptoms.
Contraindications
Anise is not recommended for use in pregnancy in amounts exceeding those found in food.
Pregnancy/Lactation
Aniseed is a reputed abortifacient. Use in amounts exceeding those found in food is not recommended in pregnancy.
Interactions
None well documented.
Adverse Reactions
Anise may cause allergic reactions of the skin, respiratory tract, and GI tract.
Toxicology
Ingestion of the oil may result in pulmonary edema, vomiting, and seizures.
Scientific Family
- Apiaceae
Botany
Anise is an annual herb that grows 0.3 to 0.6 m in height and is widely cultivated throughout the world.1 The flowers are yellow and grow in compound umbels. The leaves are feather-shaped. The 2 mm long, greenish-brown, ridged seeds are used in food or as an herb, and are harvested when ripe in autumn.2 Aniseed has an anethole-like odor and a sweet, aromatic taste3 described as 'licorice-like,' which has led to the traditional use of anise oils in licorice candy. In some texts, anise is referred to as Anisum vulgare Gartner or Anisum officinarum Moench; it should not be confused with the 'Chinese star anise' (Illicium verum Hook. filius.; family: Magnoliaceae).1
History
Anise has historically been used as a spice and fragrance. It has been cultivated in Egypt for at least 4,000 years; records of its use as a diuretic and treatment for digestive problems and toothaches exist in medical texts from this era. Ancient Greek writings describe anise use to help with breathing, relieve pain, stimulate urination, and ease thirst.2 The essential oil has been used commercially since the 1800s.
Anise is widely used as a flavoring in alcohols, liqueurs, dairy products, gelatins, puddings, meats, and candies.1 Anise is often added to licorice candy or used as a licorice flavor substitute; it is also a fragrant component of anisette liqueur. It is sold as a spice, and the seeds are used as a breath freshener.4 The essential oil is used medicinally as well as in perfume, soaps, and sachets.1, 5
Chemistry
A review of the constituents and properties of P. anisum has been published.6
Examination of the mycoflora of anise seed resulted in the isolation of 15 fungal genera, 78 species, and 6 varieties, including Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Rhizopus.7 Naturally occurring mycotoxins were also present in thin-layer chromatography analysis of anise spice extract.8 Gamma irradiation has inhibited mold growth on anise in humid conditions.9
Anise oil (1% to 4%) is obtained by steam distillation of the dried fruits of the herb. The highest-quality oils result from anise seeds of ripe umbels in the center of the plant.10 A major component of the oil is trans-anethole (75% to 90%), which is responsible for the characteristic taste and smell, as well as the medicinal properties of anise.3, 5, 11 The cis-isomer is 15 to 38 times more toxic than the trans-isomer.4 Spectrophotometric determination of anethole in anise oil has been performed.12
The volatile oil also has related compounds that include estragole (methyl chavicol 1% to 2%), anise ketone (p-methoxyphenylacetone), and beta=caryophyllene. Present in smaller amounts are anisaldehyde, anisic acid, limonene, alpha-pinene, acetaldehyde, p-cresol, cresol, and myristicin (the psychomimetic compound previously isolated from nutmeg).3, 13, 14, 15 Oil of Feronia limonia has some similarity to anise oil and may be used as a substitute.16
Constituents of the whole seed include coumarins (eg, umbelliferone, umbelliprenine, bergapten, scopoletin). Lipids (16%) include fatty acids, beta-amyrin, and stigmasterol and its salts.1, 15 Flavonoids in aniseed include rutin, isoorientin, and isovitexin.15 Protein (18%) and carbohydrates (50%) are also present. Terpene hydrocarbons in the plant have also been described.17
Uses and Pharmacology
Antimicrobial/Insecticidal effects
Animal data
Anise has been evaluated for its antimicrobial action against gram-negative and gram-positive organisms.18 The anethole constituent also inhibited growth of mycotoxin-producing Aspergillus in culture.1 Anise is used in dentifrices as an antiseptic and in lozenges and cough preparations for its weak antibacterial effects.1, 4 One report testing aromatic waters (including anise) on the growth and survival of Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been published.19
Larvicidal activity has been reported.20 Anise oil, when mixed with sassafras oil, is used as an insecticide.5 Applied externally, the oil has been used to treat lice and scabies.2
Clinical data
A combination preparation of coconut and anise was reported to be superior to permethrin 0.43% in the treatment of head lice.20
CNS effects
Animal data
The pharmacological effects of anise are caused mainly by anethole, which has structural similarities to catecholamines (eg, epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine).15 Sympathomimetic-type effects have been attributed to anethole in at least one report.21 A study in rodents failed to demonstrate anxiolytic activity for aqueous Pimpinella seed extract; however, some activity related to learning was reported.22
Anise oil was reported to prolong the latency and reduce the amplitude and duration of induced seizures in rats.23
Antidepressant activity has been reported for both aqueous and ethanolic extracts of P. anisum fruit in mice.24 Increased analgesic effects of codeine and benzodiazepine on motor impairment have been observed in mice, and decreased antidepressant effects of imipramine and fluoxetine have also been observed with aniseed essential oil pretreatment.25
GI effects
Anise is well known as a carminative and an expectorant. It is used to decrease bloating and to settle the digestive tract.2, 3
Clinical data
Limited clinical studies have evaluated anise powder in the management of dyspepsia. Quality-of-life scores were reported to be higher in the treatment group compared with placebo.26, 27
Anise oil was compared with peppermint oil in a clinical trial of patients with irritable bowel syndrome. A decrease in scores for abdominal discomfort or pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and other symptoms was reported.28 In another trial, the same researchers also reported improvements in depression with anise oil treatment in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.29
Iron deficiency anemia
Animal data
Anise has promoted iron absorption in rats, suggesting possible use as a preventative agent in iron deficiency anemia.30
Menopausal effects
Clinical data
P. anisum has been evaluated in a trial of peri- and postmenopausal women, with positive findings reported for menopausal symptoms (ie, hot flashes).31, 32
Morphine dependence
Animal data
A study of morphine-dependent mice demonstrated a reduction in severity of withdrawal symptoms with ethanolic extracts of anise.33
Nephroprotective effects
P. anisum may have nephroprotective effects; an ethanolic extract given orally to Wistar rats decreased tubule damage from gentamycin, and an aqueous extract lessened markers of damage in rats treated with lead acetate.34, 35
Other uses
Topical application of the constituent bergapten, in combination with ultraviolet light, has been used in psoriasis treatment.15
As a skin penetration enhancer, anise oil has little activity compared with eucalyptus and other oils,36 and anise-based bioadhesive gels have been evaluated as a method of drug delivery.37
Dosing
GI disorders: In limited clinical studies, anise 3 g powder taken after each meal (3 times per day) for 4 weeks has been studied in the treatment of dyspepsia.26
Menopausal symptoms: Capsules containing P. anisum 330 mg taken 3 times daily for 4 weeks have been used for treatment of menopausal symptoms (ie, hot flashes).32
Pregnancy / Lactation
Anise is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) when used at levels found in food.38 Aniseed is a reputed abortifacient. Use in amounts exceeding those found in food is not recommended in pregnancy.2, 15
Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of P. anisum L. seeds have demonstrated galactagogue effects in rodents. The maximum nonfatal dose was reported to be 2.2 g/kg in rats.39
Interactions
Case reports are lacking. Increased analgesic effects of codeine and benzodiazepine on motor impairment have been observed in mice, and decreased antidepressant effects of imipramine and fluoxetine have also been observed with aniseed essential oil pretreatment.25 Similarly, a pharmacokinetic interaction with acetaminophen and caffeine has been reported in rodents.40
Adverse Reactions
According to the Complete German Commission E Monographs, adverse effects of anise include occasional allergic reactions of the skin, respiratory tract, and GI tract.3 When applied to human skin in a 2% concentration in petrolatum base, anise oil produced no dermatological reactions. The oil is not considered to be a primary irritant. However, anethole has been associated with sensitization and skin irritation and may cause erythema, scaling, and vesiculation.14 Anise oil in toothpaste has been reported to cause contact sensitivity, cheilitis, and stomatitis.4 The constituent bergapten may cause photosensitivity.15
Toxicology
Anise oil has GRAS status when used in typical amounts found in food. In rats, the acute oral median lethal dose (LD50) of the oil is 2.25 g/kg. No percutaneous absorption of the oil through mouse skin occurred within 2 hours.41 The oral LD50 of anethole is 2,090 mg/kg in rats; rats fed a diet containing anethole 0.25% for 1 year showed no adverse effects, while those receiving anethole 1% for 15 weeks had microscopic changes in hepatocytes.4
The cis-isomer of anethole is 15 to 38 times more toxic to animals than the trans-isomer.1, 4 Ingestion of the oil in doses as small as 1 mL may result in pulmonary edema, vomiting, and seizures.42 The estrogenic activity of anethole and its dimers may alter hormone therapy (eg, oral contraceptives).43
References
1. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: J Wiley; 1996:36-38.2. Chevalier A. TheEncyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. New York, NY: DK Publishing; 1996:246-247.3. Bisset N. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals. Stuttgart, Germany: CRC Press; 1994:73-75.4. Duke J, Bogenschutz-Godwin M, duCellier J, Duke P. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. 2nd ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press; 2002.5. Chandler RF, Hawkes D. Aniseed: spice, flavor, drug. Can Pharm J. 1984;117:28-29.6. Shojaii A, Abdollahi Fard M. Review of pharmacological properties and chemical constituents of Pimpinella anisum. ISRN Pharm. 2012;2012:510795.228488537. Moharram AM, Abdel-Mallek AY, Abdel-Hafez AI. Mycoflora of anise and fennel seeds in Egypt. J Basic Microbiol. 1989;29(7):427-435.26007778. El-Kady IA, El-Maraghy SS, Eman Mostafa M. Natural occurrence of mycotoxins in different spices in Egypt. Folia Microbiol (Praha). 1995;40(3):297-300.89199369. Mahmoud MI, El-Bazza ZE, Mohamed ZG. Afatoxin production at different relative humidities on gamma-irradiated herbs used as Egyptian drinks. Egypt J Pharm Sci. 1992;33:21-30.10. Tsvetkov R. Study on the fruit quality of some umbelliferous essential oil plants. Planta Med. 1970;18:350-353.11. Tabacchi R, et al. Helv Chim Acta. 1974;57:849.12. Mohamed Y, Abdel-Salam NA, El-Sayed MA, Abdel-Salam MA. Spectrophotometric determination of certain volatile oils. Part 3. Assay of anethole in volatile oils of anise and fennel. Indian J Pharm. 1976;38:117-119.13. Harborne JB, Heywood VH, Williams CA. Distribution of myristicin in seeds of the umbelliferae. Phytochemistry. 1969;8:1729.14. Food Cosmet Toxicol. 1973;11:865.15. Newall CA, Anderson LA, Phillipson JP. Herbal Medicines: A Guide for Health-Care Professionals. London, England: Pharmaceutical Press; 1996:30-31.16. Shah N, Agrawal SK, Ahmed A, Nigam MC. Essential oil of Feronia limonia: substitute for anise and fennel oils. Parfum Kosmetic. 1985;66:182-183.17. Burkhardt G, Reichling J, Martin R, Becker H. Terpene hydrocarbons in Pimpinella anisum L. Pharm Weekbl Sci. 1986;8(3):190-193.373737218. Narasimha BG, Nigam SS. In vitro antimicrobial efficiency of some essential oils. Flavor Ind. 1970;1:725-729.19. Ibrahim YK, Ogunmodede MS. Growth and survival of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in some aromatic waters. Pharm Acta Helv. 1991;66(9-10):286-288.175890520. Burgess IF, Brunton ER, Burgess NA. Clinical trial showing superiority of a coconut and anise spray over permethrin 0.43% lotion for head louse infestation, ISRCTN96469780. Eur J Pediatr. 2010;169(1):55-62.1934336221. Albert-Puleo M. Fennel and anise as estrogenic agents. J Ethnopharmacol. 1980;2(4):337-344.699924422. Gamberini MT, Rodrigues DS, Rodrigues D, Pontes VB. Effects of the aqueous extract of Pimpinella anisum L. seeds on exploratory activity and emotional behavior in rats using the open field and elevated plus maze tests. J Ethnopharmacol. 2015;168:45-49.2583911823. Karimzadeh F, Hosseini M, Mangeng D, et al. Anticonvulsant and neuroprotective effects of Pimpinella anisum in rat brain. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2012;12:76.2270924324. Shahamat Z, Abbasi-Maleki S, Mohammadi Motamed S. Evaluation of antidepressant-like effects of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Pimpinella anisum fruit in mice. Avicenna J Phytomed. 2016;6(3):322-328.2746255525. Samojlik I, Mijatović V, Petković S, Skrbić B, Božin B. The influence of essential oil of aniseed (Pimpinella anisum, L.) on drug effects on the central nervous system. Fitoterapia. 2012;83(8):1466-1473.2292604226. Ghoshegir SA, Mazaheri M, Ghannadi A, et al. Pimpinella anisum in modifying the quality of life in patients with functional dyspepsia: A double-blind randomized clinical trial. J Res Med Sci. 2014;19(12):1118-1123.2570965027. Ghoshegir SA, Mazaheri M, Ghannadi A, et al. Pimpinella anisum in the treatment of functional dyspepsia: A double-blind, randomized clinical trial. J Res Med Sci. 2015;20(1):13-21.2576751628. Mosaffa-Jahromi M, Lankarani KB, Pasalar M, Afsharypuor S, Tamaddon AM. Efficacy and safety of enteric coated capsules of anise oil to treat irritable bowel syndrome. J Ethnopharmacol. 2016;194:937-946.2781507929. Mosaffa-Jahromi M, Tamaddon AM, Afsharypuor S, et al. Effectiveness of anise oil for treatment of mild to moderate depression in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: a randomized active and placebo-controlled clinical trial. J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2017;22(1):41-46.2687339230. el-Shobaki FA, Saleh ZA, Saleh N. The effect of some beverage extracts on intestinal iron absorption. Z Ernahrungswiss. 1990;29(4):264-269.208063831. Ghazanfarpour M, Sadeghi R, Abdolahian S, Latifnejad Roudsari R. The efficacy of Iranian herbal medicines in alleviating hot flashes: A systematic review. Int J Reprod Biomed (Yazd). 2016;14(3):155-166.2729421332. Nahidi F, Kariman N, Simbar M, Mojab F. The study on the effects of Pimpinella anisum on relief and recurrence of menopausal hot flashes. Iran J Pharm Res. 2012;11(4):1079-1085.2425054033. Sherzadi GD, Abbasi-Maleki S, Zanbouri A. Ethanolic extract of anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) attenuates morphine physical dependence in mice. J Herbmed Pharmacol. 2017;6(2):69-73.34. Changizi-Ashtiyani S, Seddigh A, Najafi H, et al. Pimpinella anisum L. ethanolic extract ameliorates the gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats [published correction appears in Nephrology (Carlton). 2017;22(3):268]. Nephrology (Carlton). 2017;22(2):133-138.2786004935. Amina B, Nadia AH, Kahloulakhaled, Nesrine S, Abdelkader A. Nephroprotective effect of Pimpinella anisum L. aqueous extract against lead toxicity: in vivo study. Intl J Green Pharmacy. 2016;10(2):86-91.36. Williams A, Barry BW. Essential oils as novel human skin penetration enhancers. Int J Pharm. 1989;57:R7-R9.37. Gafiţanu CA, Filip D, Cernătescu C, et al. Formulation and evaluation of anise-based bioadhesive vaginal gels. Biomed Pharmacother. 2016;83:485-495.2743486438. CFR-Code of Federal Regulations Title 21. Food and Drug Administration website. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=182.20. Accessed June 29, 2017.39. Hosseinzadeh H, Tafaghodi M, Abedzadeh S, Taghiabadi E. Effect of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Pimpinella anisum L. seeds on milk production in rats. J Acupunct Meridian Stud. 2014;7(4):211-216.2515145540. Samojlik I, Petković S, Stilinović N, Vukmirović S, Mijatović V, Božin B. Pharmacokinetic herb-drug interaction between essential oil of aniseed (Pimpinella anisum L., Apiaceae) and acetaminophen and caffeine: a potential risk for clinical practice. Phytother Res. 2016;30(2):253-259.2661982541. Meyer F, Meyer E. Arzneimittelforschung. 1959;9:516.42. Spoerke DG. Herbal Medications. Santa Barbara, CA: Woodbridge Press; 1980.43. Zabłocka-Słowińska K, Jawna K, Grajeta H, Biernat J. Interactions between preparations containing female sex hormones and dietary supplements. Adv Clin Exp Med. 2014;23(4):657-663.25166453
Disclaimer
This information relates to an herbal, vitamin, mineral or other dietary supplement. This product has not been reviewed by the FDA to determine whether it is safe or effective and is not subject to the quality standards and safety information collection standards that are applicable to most prescription drugs. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take this product. This information does not endorse this product as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this product. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to this product. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. You should talk with your health care provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this product.
This product may adversely interact with certain health and medical conditions, other prescription and over-the-counter drugs, foods, or other dietary supplements. This product may be unsafe when used before surgery or other medical procedures. It is important to fully inform your doctor about the herbal, vitamins, mineral or any other supplements you are taking before any kind of surgery or medical procedure. With the exception of certain products that are generally recognized as safe in normal quantities, including use of folic acid and prenatal vitamins during pregnancy, this product has not been sufficiently studied to determine whether it is safe to use during pregnancy or nursing or by persons younger than 2 years of age.
Copyright © 2019 Wolters Kluwer Health
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.