Anise (Pimpinella anisum) is an herb known for its aromatic seeds and potent medicinal benefits. It is also used in various cuisines and traditional medicines worldwide.
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| Medicinal Anise seeds (Pimpinella anisum) |
Here's a summary of its health benefits, appearance, habitat, compounds, traditional uses, and clinical research.
What is Anise?
Anise, also known as aniseed, has been used for thousands of years as an aromatic medicinal herb and essential oil. This licorice-flavored herb was used by ancient healers in Egypt, Greece and Persian.
Anise is an annual plant with feathery green leaves and small white flowers arranged in umbels. Its seeds are small, oval-shaped, and ridged. It thrives in warm climates and is native to the Eastern Mediterranean region and Southwest Asia. It's cultivated in various parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, and North Africa.
Anise seeds are commonly used as a spice in cooking and baking.
The seeds are the primary source to make anise essential oil, but anise petals and leaves can also be used medicinally.
Note that anise is not the same herb as star anise.
Primary Compounds in Anise
The key compounds in anise seeds include:
Anethole: A major phytoestrogen compound responsible for the characteristic flavor and aroma of anise.
Fenchone: Another important compound contributing to its medicinal properties.
Flavonoids: Including quercetin and kaempferol, known for their antioxidant effects.
Other medicinal compounds in anise include eugenol, anisaldehyde and anisic acid.
The fruits of anise contain
other compounds, including chlorogenic acid, naringenin, gallic acid, ellagic
acid, taxifolin, coffeic acid, tocopherols, mucilage and coumarins.
Anise Traditional Uses
Anise has been used in traditional medicine systems globally:
In ancient Egypt, it was used as a digestive aid and to flavor bread.
Greek and Roman physicians prescribed it for respiratory ailments.
Traditional Chinese medicine employs it for digestive and respiratory issues.
In Middle Eastern cultures, it's used in teas for digestive relief.
Anise has a long history of use in Ayurveda as well, for a number of issues.
Health Benefits of Anise
Digestive Health
Anise is often used to relieve digestive issues like bloating, gas, and indigestion.
Respiratory Health
It's believed to have expectorant properties, aiding in relieving coughs and congestion.
Antimicrobial Properties
Anise has shown antimicrobial activity against certain bacteria and fungi, suggesting potential in fighting infections.
Antioxidant Activity
Compounds in anise, like flavonoids and phenolic compounds, exhibit antioxidant properties, protecting cells from oxidative damage.
Menstrual Relief
Traditionally, anise has been used to alleviate menstrual cramps and promote lactation in breastfeeding mothers.
Lactation
Mothers given anise seeds have shown increased breastfeeding volume.
Research on Anise
Several studies have explored the health benefits of anise:
A 2015 medical school study tested 107 adult patients diagnosed with postprandial distress syndrome or PDS. For four weeks, 47 patients were given 3 grams of anise powder after each meal. A control group of 60 patients received corn starch powder as a placebo.
The severity of PDS symptoms among the anise group dropped from 10.6 to 1.08 by week four. Meanwhile the placebo group’s scores actually worsened during the four weeks.
A 2016 clinical study tested 120 patients with irritable bowel syndrome. The researchers split them into three groups. The group that received 3 capsules of enteric-coated anise over a four-week period had significant symptom improvements. Improvements in bloating, diarrhea, constipation, reflux and abdominal discomfort were significant.
This study also found the patients that consumed the anise had significantly less depression related to their IBS after the four weeks of anise treatment.
A 2017 medical school study found that anise was one of several phytoestrogenic herbs that were “effective in the treatment of acute menopausal syndrome with different mechanisms.”
A 2016 study tested 48 patients with chronic sinusitis. One group of 26 was given two drops of an anise-based solution every 12 hours over a four-week period. The anise drops saw significant improvements in their postnasal drip and nasal obstruction (clogs).
A 2023 study from the Middle East tested 145 women with preterm infants. They were divided into three groups. A group of 50 mothers and infants were given 2 grams of dried anise with a cup of black tea three times a day, while the placebo group was given only the black tea three times a day.
The researchers found the preterm infant weights were significantly increased in the anise group. They also found that milk production was significantly increased in the anise tea group.
Laboratory research has found that anise stimulates the release of prolactin and this increases milk production among animals.
Laboratory research has found that anise aids wound healing. It is also significantly antibacterial and antifungal according to multiple studies.
Other research has found anise extract was also a significant antioxidant due to its phenolic compounds.
Scientific References
Dumitrescu E, Muselin F, Tîrziu E, Folescu M, Dumitrescu CS, Orboi DM, Cristina RT. Pimpinella anisum L. Essential Oil a Valuable Antibacterial and Antifungal Alternative. Plants (Basel). 2023 Jun 23;12(13):2428. doi: 10.3390/plants12132428.
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 Dec 24;194:937-946. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2016.10.083.
Mosaffa-Jahromi M, Tamaddon AM, Afsharypuor S, Salehi A, Seradj SH, Pasalar M, Jafari P, Lankarani KB. 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 Jan;22(1):41-46. doi: 10.1177/2156587216628374.
Vazifehkah S, Shams-Ardekani MR, Kamalinejad M, Saderhossein SM, Hosseini H, Shams SM, Abbassi S, Eghtesad S, Saedi B. Evaluation of a novel natural drop for treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps: a single blind randomized trial. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2016 Sep;6(9):943-9. doi: 10.1002/alr.21785.
Khalili S, Amiri-Farahani L, Haghani S, Bordbar A, Shojaii A, Pezaro S. The effect of Pimpinella Anisum herbal tea on human milk volume and weight gain in the preterm infant: a randomized controlled clinical trial. BMC Complement Med Ther. 2023 Jan 21;23(1):19. doi: 10.1186/s12906-023-03848-6.
Hashemnia M, Nikousefat Z, Mohammadalipour A, Zangeneh MM, Zangeneh A. Wound healing activity of Pimpinella anisum methanolic extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. J Wound Care. 2019 Oct 1;28(Sup10):S26-S36. doi: 10.12968/jowc.2019.28.Sup10.S26.
Kargozar R, Azizi H, Salari R. A review of effective herbal medicines in controlling menopausal symptoms. Electron Physician. 2017 Nov 25;9(11):5826-5833. doi: 10.19082/5826.