All About Anise
Anise has commonly been used as a digestive aid, to help with coughing, reduce menopausal and menstrual issues, and to repel insects. The key anethole constituent comprises over 75% of the essential oil, with a possible estrogenic effect.
Fun Fact
Due to anise's licorice-like flavor, it has been used as bait while fishing, since the taste entices fish.
Anise Research
Over 60 research articles were cataloged on anise. Human studies were found related to its qualities as a digestive aid, female health herb, and anti-tussive. It has also demonstrated insecticidal and repelling action and is antimicrobial, antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral in vitro. Other in vitro studies show anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, antioxidant, smooth muscle relaxing, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, anticonvulsive, and andi-depressive potential. More research is warranted. Click the button below for a detailed review of research.
Anise Blog Articles
Anise Herb and Essential Oil
Latin Name: Pimpinella anisum
Family: Apiaceae
Other Common Names
- Anise seed, aniseed, sweet cumin, hui qin, anis vert, phytoestrogen, pinella, shatpushpa
- Not to be confused with star anise (Illicium verum), with a similar chemistry profile, but possibly carcinogenic safrole content and higher estragole content.
Plant Description
Anise is an annual herb with white flowers and greenish yellow seeds, growing in warm climates like Turkey, Iran, India, and Egypt.
Herb Description
Anise seeds are used as tea infusions at about 3 grams per day for an adult. Essential oil is added to topical preparations as a mild spasmolytic and antibacterial, or added to a diffuser for its aromatic qualities.
Essential Oil Description
Oil is steam distilled from the seeds, and contains only 1.5% - 5% essential oil. It is thin, but congeals below 68 degrees. It has a clear to pale yellow color and smells and tastes like black licorice.
Key Constituents
- Anethole / Anise Camphor / Trans-Anethole
- Anisaldehyde / 4-Anisaldehyde / P-Anisaldehyde
- Methyl chavicol / Estragole / p-allyanisole / Isoanethole
- d-Limonene / Limonene / Dipentene
