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Omnia Sana · Plant Monograph

Anise

Pimpinella anisum

Family ApiaceaeParts used Fruit, SeedAlso known as Aniseed, Anise seed

This monograph compiles 5 pharmacological actions, 11 traditional / indicated uses, supported by 15 cited sources, drawn directly from the Omnia Sana plant database.

Pharmacological Actions

Analgesic (pain relief)[11, 12, 13, 14, 15]
Anti-inflammatory[2, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15]
Antimicrobial[7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15]
Antioxidant[3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15]
Digestive aid[6, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15]

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Arthritis / joint pain[11, 12, 13, 14, 15]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →
Back pain[11, 12, 13, 14, 15]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from analgesic action

more plants for back pain →detailed sources →
Bloating[11, 12, 13, 14, 15]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from digestive action

more plants for bloating →detailed sources →
Headache[11, 12, 13, 14, 15]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from analgesic action

more plants for headache →detailed sources →
Indigestion[11, 12, 13, 14, 15]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from digestive action

more plants for indigestion →detailed sources →
Infection (general)[8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

more plants for infection (general) →detailed sources →
Inflammation (general)[11, 12, 13, 14, 15]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →
Pain (general)[11, 12, 13, 14, 15]Traditional · 1/10
more plants for pain (general) →detailed sources →
Respiratory support[11, 12, 13, 14, 15]Traditional · 1/10
more plants for respiratory support →detailed sources →
Skin irritation[2, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →
Wounds[2, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

more plants for wounds →detailed sources →

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note[11, 12, 13, 14, 15]Caution

Generally safe when consumed in food amounts. Doses up to 20g daily considered safe for adults. May cause allergic reactions in some people. Caution advised during pregnancy and breastfeeding - stick to food amounts. Anethole can be toxic at high concentrations, particularly to the nervous system. Not enough safety data for medicinal use in children.

Safety note[11, 12, 13, 14, 15]Info

Duke (2002) provides clinical evidence (score 2) for anise as an antibacterial, antiseptic, antispasmodic, and expectorant. It has demonstrated estrogenic activity and is used as a clinically supported lactagogue to promote milk production. Commission E and WHO have both approved its use for catarrh and gastrointestinal spasms. Typical dosages are 0.5–1 g crushed seed three times per day in tea, or 0.05–0.2 ml of the fruit essential oil (Duke, 2002).

References

REF-1407, REF-1408, REF-1409, REF-1410, REF-1411, REF-1412, REF-1413, REF-1414, REF-1415, REF-1416

References & Sources

  1. Samojlik, I., Petkovic, S., Stilinovic, N., Vukmirovic, S. and others (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, 30(2), pp. 253-259. doi:10.1002/ptr.5523 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.5523
  2. Hashemnia, M., Nikousefat, Z., Mohammadalipour, A., Zangeneh, M.M. and others (2019) 'Wound healing activity of Pimpinella anisum methanolic extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats', Journal of Wound Care, 28(Sup10), pp. S26-S36. doi:10.12968/jowc.2019.28.Sup10.S26 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.12968/jowc.2019.28.Sup10.S26
  3. Samojlik, I., Mijatovic, V., Petkovic, S., Skrbic, B. and others (2012) 'The influence of essential oil of aniseed (Pimpinella anisum, L.) on drug effects on the central nervous system', Fitoterapia, 83(8), pp. 1466-1473. doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2012.08.012 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2012.08.012
  4. Changizi-Ashtiyani, S., Seddigh, A., Najafi, H., Hossaini, N. and others (2017) 'Pimpinella anisum L. ethanolic extract ameliorates the gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats', Nephrology (Carlton), 22(2), pp. 133-138. doi:10.1111/nep.12953 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1111/nep.12953
  5. Mushtaq, A., Habib, F., Manea, R., Anwar, R. and others (2023) 'Biomolecular Screening of Pimpinella anisum L. for Antioxidant and Anticholinesterase Activity in Mice Brain', Molecules, 28(5), pp. 2217. doi:10.3390/molecules28052217 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28052217
  6. Alotaibi, M.F (2020) 'Pimpinella anisum extract attenuates spontaneous and agonist-induced uterine contraction in term-pregnant rats', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 254, pp. 112730. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2020.112730 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2020.112730
  7. Dawoud, T. and Ameen, F (2023) 'Unveiling the bioactive potential of Pimpinella anisum L. leaf extracts: Chromatographic profiling, antimicrobial efficiency, and cytotoxicity analysis', Biomedical Chromatography, 37(12), pp. e5739. doi:10.1002/bmc.5739 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1002/bmc.5739
  8. Alrasheid, A.A., Kabbashi, A.S., Ali, A.O., Alrasheed, A.A. and others (2024) 'Nutritional Value and in vitro Antigiardial Activity of Anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) Seeds', Chemistry & Biodiversity, 21(3), pp. e202301254. doi:10.1002/cbdv.202301254 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1002/cbdv.202301254
  9. Almaimani, G., Jabbar, A.A.J., Ibrahim, I.A.A., Alzahrani, A.R. and others (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, 31(3), pp. 4439-4452. doi:10.1007/s11356-023-31349-z Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-31349-z
  10. Shrief, A.I., Abdel-Hamid, A.A.M., Moustafa, A. and El-Mohandes, E (2022) 'The possible protective role of Pimpinella anisum oil versus selenium on aspartame induced changes in rat cerebellar cortex', Ultrastructural Pathology, 46(6), pp. 497-510. doi:10.1080/01913123.2022.2136809 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1080/01913123.2022.2136809
  11. Jaradat N, et al. A Multidimensional Review of Pimpinella anisum. Molecules. 2023. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10035495/ (2023) 'https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10035495/'. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10035495/ Traditional / reference
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10035495/
  12. McCormick Science Institute. Anise Potential Health Benefits. https://www.mccormickscienceinstitute.com/our-research/scientific-overviews/anise-potential-health-benefits. Available at: https://www.mccormickscienceinstitute.com/our-research/scientific-overviews/anise-potential-health-benefits Traditional / reference
    https://www.mccormickscienceinstitute.com/our-research/scientific-overviews/anise-potential-health-benefits
  13. Shahrajabian MH, Sun W, Cheng Q. Anise (2019) ';5(1)', 5(1). doi:10.1080/23312025.2019.1673688 Traditional / reference
    https://doi.org/10.1080/23312025.2019.1673688
  14. Shojaii A, Abdollahi Fard M. Review of pharmacological properties and chemical constituents of Pimpinella anisum. ISRN Pharm. 2012;2012:510795. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3405664/ (2012) ';2012:510795'. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3405664/ Traditional / reference
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3405664/
  15. Singletary KW. Anise: Potential Health Benefits. Nutrition Today. 2022;57 (2022) ';57(2):73-80', 57(2). Available at: https://journals.lww.com/nutritiontodayonline/fulltext/2022/03000/anise__potential_health_benefits.10.aspx Traditional / reference
    https://journals.lww.com/nutritiontodayonline/fulltext/2022/03000/anise__potential_health_benefits.10.aspx

Record last updated 2026-06-20 · Provenance: book+pubmed · Status: verified

This fact sheet is generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and reflects its latest synced data. It is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.

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