Pimpinella anisum. Anisum vulgare,  A. officinarum   Aniseed, Anise, Anisum   Family: Umbelliferae      



PART USED:  Fruit  
TASTE: Sweet   ODOR: Characteristic
ACTIONS
GROUP: Aromatics
1. Carminative.[1,2,3]
2. Expectorant.[1,2,3] Used in cough medicines and lozenges.[3]
3. Galactogogue.
4. Stomachic.
5. Spasmolytic.[1]
6. Parasiticide.[1]
INDICATIONS- Used as a flavouring and spice.
1. Spasmodic coughs,[1] including whooping cough. Tracheitis with persistent cough. Bronchitis.
Bronchial catarrh.[1] Asthma. Pertussis.[1]
2. Poor milk supply.
3. Corrective to cathartic- helping to prevent possible griping pains. Flatulent colic.[1]  Mouthwash.
Topically:  Pediculosis.[1] Scabies.[1]
SPECIFIC INDICATIONS: Bronchitis; tracheitis with persistent cough.[1] Aromatic adjuvant to prevent tormina from cathartics.[1]
COMBINATIONS
- Flatulent colic, use with Peppermint.
- Bronchitis, use with White Horehound, Coltsfoot, Skunk cabbage and Lobelia.
- Tracheitis, use with Prunus.
- Cough remedy, use with White Horehound.
Topically- The oil-1% may be combined with oil of Sassafras-1% in an ointment base for scabies.
PREPARATIONS   3X /day
Dried Fruit  0.5-1 g,[1] or by infusion.[1]
Liquid extract   60% alcohol.
Oil   0.05-0.2 ml.[1,3]   Externally 1%.
Spirit  (BHP1983)  0.3-1 ml.[1] Anis spirit (BHP1949) 0.3-1 ml.[1,3]
Distilled Anis Water (BHP1934)   15-30 ml.[1]
Concentrated Anis Water (BHP)   0.3-1 ml.[3]


PART USED: Aniseed essential oil- steam distilled.  
DESCRIPTION: Light yellow oil. Low temperatures tend to solidify the oil.
TASTE and ODOR: Licorice like
FUNCTIONS
1. Expectorant.
2. Relaxing.
INDICATIONS
1. Bronchial cough, sinusitis, and the symptoms of hayfever and congested head colds- use in a massage oil and massage into chest and back, or steam inhalation.
2. Insomnia- place 3 drops of Aniseed in a glass of milk or water and drink. Take for a maximum of 4 weeks.
WARNING: Use as directed. Do not take more than recommended dose.
PREPARATIONS
Massage blend.
Steam inhalation.
Vaporization. Top to middle note.
(SA).
ORIGIN: Turkey, Greece and Egypt. Asia minor.
DESCRIPTION: Annual herb reaching about 0.5 m. The fruits, soemtimes called seeds, are greyish or brownish-grey, ovate, hairy and up to 5 mm long with 10 crenate ribs, often with part of the stalk attached.
References
Inner Path can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Constituents
Research
Aniseed had been demonstrated to increase the mucociliary transport in vitro, therefore demonstrating expectorant behavour, and to significantly increases Liver-regeneration in rats.[1]
References
[1] Gershbein, L.L. (1977) Food Cosmet. Toxicol. 15 (3), 173

The Study on the Effects of Pimpinella anisum on Relief and Recurrence of Menopausal Hot Flashes.
Nahidi F, Kariman N, Simbar M, Mojab F.
Abstract
With respect to the high incidence of hot flash in postmenopausal women and the controversies regarding its treatment, this double-blind clinical trial was conducted to determine the effects of Pimpinella anisum on hot flashes in these women referring to rural and urban health centers of Qazvin Province in 2009. Seventy-two women with hot flashes were randomly selected according to the predetermined criteria and divided into two experimental and control groups. Their medical records at health centers were used for sampling. Each woman in the experimental group took a capsule containing 330 mg Pimpinella anisum 3 times a day while in the control group, women took 3 capsules, each containing 330 mg potato starch, over 4 weeks and after that, they were following up for 4 weeks. Before taking the capsules, they were assessed for 2 weeks about the frequency and severity of hot flashes. Data were collected through a questionnaire and an information form. Content validity method was used for validity of the tools. ANOVA and Student›s t-test were applied for statistical analysis. In the experimental group, the frequency and severity of hot flashes before the treatment were 4.21% and 56.21% and, after that, were 1.06% and 14.44% at the end of the fourth week respectively. No change was found in the frequency and severity of hot flashes in the control group. The frequency and severity of hot flashes was decreased during 4 weeks of follow up period. P. anisum is effective on the frequency and severity of hot flashes in postmenopausal women.
PMID: 24250540 PMCID: PMC3813162 Iran J Pharm Res. 2012 Fall;11(4):1079-85. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pimpinella anisum in the treatment of functional dyspepsia: A double-blind, randomized clinical trial
S. Ashraffodin Ghoshegir, Mohammad Mazaheri, Alireza Ghannadi, Awat Feizi, Mahmoud Babaeian, Maryam Tanhaee, Mehrdad Karimi, and Peyman Adibi
Abstract
Background:
We aimed to evaluate the effects of Pimpinella anisum (anise) from Apiaceae family on relieving the symptoms of postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) in this double-blind randomized clinical trial.
Materials and Methods:
Totally, 107 patients attending the gastroenterology clinic, aged 18-65 years, diagnosed with PDS according to ROME III criteria and signed a written consent form were enrolled. They were randomized to receive either anise or placebo, blindly, for 4 weeks. Anise group included 47 patients and received anise powders, 3 g after each meal (3 times/day). Control group involved 60 patients and received placebo powders (corn starch), 3 gafter each meal (3 times/day). The severity of Functional dyspepsia (FD) symptoms was assessed by FD severity scale. Assessments were done at baseline and by the end of weeks 2, 4 and 12. Mean scores of severity of FD symptoms and the frequency distribution of patients across the study period were compared.
Results:
The age, sex, body mass index, smoking history, and coffee drinking pattern of the intervention and control groups were not significantly different. Mean (standard deviation) total scores of FD severity scale before intervention in the anise and control groups were 10.6 (4.1) and 10.96 (4.1), respectively (P = 0.6). They were 7.04 (4.1) and 12.30 (4.3) by week 2, respectively (P = 0.0001), 2.44 (4.2) and 13.05 (5.2) by week 4, respectively (P = 0.0001), and 1.08 (3.8) and 13.30 (6.2) by week 12, respectively (P = 0.0001).
Conclusion:
This study showed the effectiveness of anise in relieving the symptoms of postpartum depression. The findings were consistent across the study period at weeks 2, 4 and 12.
J Res Med Sci. 2015 Jan; 20(1): 13–21.
PMCID: PMC4354059 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov