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Aniseed

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Aniseed Pimpinella anisum herb

Photo: Franz Eugen Köhler, Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen · Public domain · Source

Aniseed

Pimpinella anisum

Family: Umbelliferae  |  Parts Used: Seeds

Aniseed is an aromatic herb native to Egypt and the eastern Mediterranean, now cultivated globally. It belongs to the Umbelliferae family and is widely used for digestive and respiratory health with applications in spiritual practices and culinary uses. Its key constituents include volatile oil, coumarins, lipids, fatty acids, sterols, proteins, and carbohydrates.

Digestive Respiratory Western Middle Eastern

Traditional Uses

  • may help ease gas and bloating
  • Eases indigestion
  • Alleviates nausea
  • Supports bronchitis traditional use
  • may help ease cough
  • Stimulant properties
  • Emmenagogue properties
  • Demonstrates antimicrobial activity against common pathogens
  • Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties

Properties

Key Constituents

Preparations & Dosage

  • Infusion: 1-2 teaspoons gently crushed seeds in 1 cup boiling water, or 1 ounce in 1 pint boiling water
  • Take 1 cup up to three times daily
  • For flatulence: consume 1 cup 30 minutes before meals
  • Used as a baking spice and for flavoring syrups

TCM Profile: Spicy, warm

Spiritual & Folk Uses

Improve psychic abilities; can be used in a mojo bag to help increase psychic dreams.

Bonnie's Notes

I've used it as a spice for baking and it's great for flavoring syrups.

Cautions

  • Contains anethole, which has estrogenic properties; avoid in hormone-sensitive conditions.
  • Not recommended in large doses during pregnancy or lactation.
  • May interact with anticoagulant and hormonal medications.
  • May cause allergic reactions in individuals sensitive to plants in the Apiaceae family.
  • Contraindications: allergy-apiaceae, blood-thinners, breastfeeding, diabetes, diabetes-medication, hormonal-medication, hormone-sensitive-conditions, pregnancy

Habitat & Growing Conditions

Native to Egypt and eastern Mediterranean, now cultivated worldwide, in US zones 4-11. Likes well-drained, alkaline soil in full sun.

Sources & Research

The Way of Herbs, Michael Tierra p87

The New Holistic Herbal, David Hoffmann p176

Herbs An Illustrated Encyclopedia, Kathi Keville p147

Published Research:

traditional Effects of Pimpinella anisum Fruit Extract on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in a Rat Model: Emerging Role of ... | Iranian journal of pharmaceutical research : IJPR (2024)

Pimpinella anisum L. Essential Oil a Valuable Antibacterial and Antifungal Alternative | Plants (Basel, Switzerland) (2023)

Biomolecular Screening of Pimpinella anisum L. for Antioxidant and Anticholinesterase Activity in Mice Brain | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (2023)

The Effect of Pimpinella Anisum and Origanum Vulgare Extracts Against Streptococcus Sanguinis, Streptococcus Mutans, ... | Journal of dentistry (Shiraz, Iran) (2022)

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you are under the care of a health care provider or taking prescription medication, check with your provider before using any herbal supplement.

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