Anise (Pimpinella anisum): Evidence, Dosage & Uses

Aromatic Annual Herb · Mediterranean

Botanical Overview

Anise is a strongly aromatic herbaceous plant, 20 to 60 cm tall, native to the Mediterranean basin. The leaves are toothed at the base of the stem, rounded in the middle and finely divided at the top. White flowers are borne in umbels. It is grown in France, Greece, Egypt, Morocco and India.

HabitHerb, 20–60 cm

OriginMediterranean basin

FlowersWhite umbels

Oil Content1.5–5% of the fruit

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomy & Identification

Latin Name: Pimpinella anisum L.
Family: Apiaceae (formerly Umbelliferae)
Common Names: Anise, Green Anise, Aniseed, Anis vert
Parts Used: Fruit (the “seeds”), and its essential oil
Related Source: Star anise (Illicium verum), also rich in trans-anethole, is tolerated by the Pharmacopoeia for preparations
Regulatory Status: French Pharmacopoeia, list A (fruit)

Ethnobotany & Traditional Use

History & Tradition

Anise has been cultivated in France, Greece and Egypt for about 4,000 years. It was cited by Dioscorides, and ranked among the “hot and dry” plants of Hippocratic medicine.

The “seeds” are in fact the fruits (cremocarps), used whole or crushed in tisanes and in galenic blends such as the classic galactagogue tisane of angelica, anise, fennel, caraway and hop cones.

Modern research has centered on anethole, on estrogen-like activity, and on randomized trials in functional dyspepsia and premenstrual syndrome. ⁴¹⁰²

⚠ Green Anise vs. Star Anise

Green anise (Pimpinella anisum) and star anise (Illicium verum) are different plants that both contain trans-anethole. The Pharmacopoeia tolerates a preparation from star anise, but the studies cited here used green anise.

Timeline

Ancient Cultivation

About 4,000 Years Ago

Grown in France, Greece and Egypt.

Dioscorides

Classical Antiquity

Cited among the medicinal plants.

“Hot and Dry” Plant

Hippocratic Medicine

Classed with the warming, drying herbs.

Clinical Trials

2014 – 2020

Randomized trials in functional dyspepsia and premenstrual syndrome. ¹¹¹⁰

The Key Compounds

Anethole — Deep Dive

The phenol methyl ether that makes up most of anise oil, and its dimers.

🧪

Trans-Anethole (80–95%)

Responsible for the smell and taste of anise. It is a central analgesic, an expectorant and estrogenic, and is said to promote ovulation and liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy.

🧬

Dianethole & Dianisoin

Dimers formed from anethole and anisaldehyde that contribute to the estrogenic action; the total essential oil is more active than anethole alone. ⁴

📏

Weak Estrogenic Potency

The estrogenic potency of (E)-anethole is estimated at 1 to 10 million times lower than that of 17β-estradiol by weight. ⁵

🕷️

p-Anisaldehyde (About 1.5%)

An aldehyde of the oil identified as an acaricidal component against house dust mites. ³

Pharmaceutical Preparations

Parts Used & Available Forms

The fruit and the essential oil distilled from it are used, in three documented forms.

Fruit (Seed)

The fruits (cremocarps), commonly called seeds, listed in the French Pharmacopoeia (list A); used as a tisane or in galenic blends.

Fruit

Mother Tincture

Teinture-mère of the seeds (fruit).

Liquid Extract

Essential Oil

Extracted from the fruits; dispensed only on prescription or in Pharmacopoeia-compliant preparations.

Essential Oil

Clinical Dosimetry

Dosages

Doses are documented for seed infusions only; no dose is given for the essential oil or the mother tincture.

Form	Dose	Frequency	Context	Notes
Seed Infusion (Per Cup)	½ teaspoon (about 1.5 g) of seeds	Per cup	General use	Standard amount for one cup of infusion.
Preferred Preparation	1 teaspoon of crushed seeds per cup of boiling water	2–3 cups per day	Digestive use	Remove from the heat and infuse for 10 minutes.
Galactagogue Tisane	1 teaspoon of the blend per cup	2–3 cups per day	Breastfeeding support	Angelica, anise and fennel seeds (30 g each), caraway seeds (60 g) and hop cones (20 g); boil 2–3 minutes, infuse 10 minutes. Traditional formulation.

Phytochemistry

Composition

Constituents of the fruit and the essential-oil profile; no gemmotherapy (bud) fraction is documented for anise.

Fruit — Primary Constituents

Essential Oil (1.5–5%)Per the European Pharmacopoeia; rich in trans-anethole (80–95%)

Major

Fixed Oil25–30% of the fruit

Present

Phenolic Compounds4-Hydroxybenzoic acid glucoside (typical of Apiaceae), phenolic acids and flavone heterosides

Present

CoumarinsFurocoumarins and hydroxycoumarins

Present

Proteins & PolysaccharidesPresent in the fruit

Present

Essential Oil Profile

Phenol Methyl EthersTrans-anethole (80–95%) and methyl-chavicol / estragole (0.5–5%)

Major

AldehydeAnisaldehyde (about 1.5%)

Present

Sesquiterpenesγ-, α- and β-Himachalene, β-bisabolene and zingiberene

Present

MonoterpenesLimonene and α-pinene

Present

DimersDianethole (from anethole) and dianisoin (from anisaldehyde)

Present

Plant Properties — Pharmacodynamics

Twelve pharmacodynamic properties are documented for anise, centered on digestive spasm, secretions and estrogen-like action.

12 Properties Digestive Estrogenic Clinical Trials

🫃

Intestinal Spasmolytic & Carminative

Relaxes intestinal spasm, particularly through the essential oil and anethole, and relieves gas.

🛡️

Antiseptic & Antifungal

Antispasmodic and antiseptic at higher dose, with antibacterial and antifungal action; the oil was active against penicillia. ⁹

🫁

Bronchial Secretolytic

The essential oil increases bronchial secretions and helps clear mucus; anethole is expectorant.

🧬

Estrogenic

Estrogen-like activity from anethole, dianethole and dianisoin; the total oil is more active than anethole alone. ⁴⁵

🍼

Galactagogue & Emmenagogue

Aqueous and ethanolic seed extracts increased milk production in rats; the plant is also emmenagogue. ¹

🩸

Premenstrual Syndrome

Studied against placebo in a double-blind randomized trial on the intensity of premenstrual symptoms. ²

💊

Central Analgesic

Anethole acts as a central analgesic (no references given).

🧠

Anticonvulsant & Neuroprotective

Anticonvulsant and neuroprotective effects were shown in rat brain. ⁶

🔥

Anti-Inflammatory

Essential oils and compounds from Pimpinella species inhibited NF-κB in vitro. ⁷

🫀

Hepatoprotective

The seed oil and extracts protected the liver against carbon tetrachloride toxicity, and anethole favors liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy. ⁸

🕷️

Acaricidal

p-Anisaldehyde is acaricidal against the house dust mites Dermatophagoides farinae and D. pteronyssinus. ³

📜

Traditional Claims

Described as aphrodisiac and as easing childbirth; the oil is said to promote ovulation (no references given).

Clinical Applications

Clinical Indications

Anise's clearest evidence is in functional dyspepsia and premenstrual syndrome; the other indications are mostly traditional.

🫃

Dyspepsia & Intestinal Spasm

Primary Indication

Functional Dyspepsia: two reports of a double-blind randomized clinical trial examined anise, one on symptoms and one on quality of life. ¹⁰¹¹
Intestinal Spasm: a traditional indication of the whole plant and the essential oil.

🫁

Respiratory Tract

Traditional Indication

Inflammation of the Airways: an indication of the whole plant.
Bronchial Secretions: the essential oil increases and facilitates the clearing of mucus.

🌸

Women's Health

Clinical & Traditional Indication

Premenstrual Syndrome: studied against placebo in a double-blind randomized trial. ²
Insufficient Milk: an indication of the essential oil; seed extracts increased milk production in rats. ¹
Hormonal Insufficiency & Menopause: indications of the essential oil.

🪱

Parasites & Diuresis

Traditional Indication

Vermifuge: used to expel intestinal worms. ¹²
Diuresis: used to improve urine output. ¹²

Pharmacodynamics

Mode of Action

The mechanisms are presumed and are attributed mainly to anethole and its dimers.

💊

Central Analgesia & Pulmonary Secretions

Anethole is credited with a central analgesic action and with stimulating pulmonary secretions.

🧬

Estrogen-Like Effect

Anethole and its dimers dianethole and dianisoin act as weak estrogens, and the total essential oil is more active than anethole alone. ⁴⁵

🔥

NF-κB Inhibition

Essential oils and isolated compounds from Pimpinella species inhibited NF-κB, a target for anti-inflammatory therapy. ⁷

🫀

Liver Regeneration

Anethole stimulates regeneration of the liver after partial hepatectomy, and anise oil protected liver cells from carbon tetrachloride in vivo and in vitro. ⁸

🌿

Thujone Antagonism

Trans-anethole may antagonize thujone, the neurotoxic ketone of some plant oils.

Clinical Safety

Safety & Interactions

The precautions concern the essential oil and follow from anethole's estrogen-like action.

⚠️

Adverse Effects & Precautions

Allergy: allergic reactions to the essential oil are rare.
Mutagenicity: mutagenic effects are judged very modest.
Hypothyroidism: caution is advised.

🚫

Contraindications & Interactions

Essential Oil: contraindicated in pregnancy, in young children and in hormone-dependent cancers.
CNS Drugs: possible interaction with analgesics, codeine, antidepressants and barbiturates. ¹³
Regulatory Status: French Pharmacopoeia, list A (fruit); the essential oil is dispensed only on prescription or in Pharmacopoeia-compliant preparations.

Clinical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before using anise essential oil, particularly in pregnancy, in children, with a hormone-dependent cancer, or alongside medicines acting on the central nervous system.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is anise used for?

Anise (Pimpinella anisum, green anise) is used for dyspepsia and intestinal spasms, for inflammation of the respiratory tract, as a vermifuge and diuretic, and traditionally to support breastfeeding. The essential oil is also used in hormonal insufficiency and menopause.

Does anise help with indigestion?

A double-blind, randomized clinical trial tested Pimpinella anisum in functional dyspepsia, and a second report from the same trial assessed its effect on quality of life. The plant and its oil are also described as intestinal spasmolytics and carminatives.

Does anise increase breast milk?

Anise is traditionally a galactagogue, and aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the seeds increased milk production in rats. The effect in nursing women has not been shown in a trial cited on the source page.

Can anise help with premenstrual syndrome?

A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial examined whether anise lowered the intensity of premenstrual syndrome symptoms. It is the main clinical study of anise for women's health.

Is anise estrogenic?

Anethole and its dimers dianethole and dianisoin have estrogen-like activity, and the whole oil is more active than anethole alone. The estrogenic potency of (E)-anethole is estimated at 1 to 10 million times lower than 17β-estradiol by weight.

Who should avoid anise essential oil?

The essential oil is contraindicated in pregnancy, in young children and in hormone-dependent cancers. Caution is advised in hypothyroidism, and rare allergic reactions have been reported.

What is the usual anise dosage?

For an infusion, half a teaspoon of seeds (about 1.5 g) is used per cup. A traditional preparation uses one teaspoon of crushed seeds per cup of boiling water, infused for 10 minutes, taken as 2 to 3 cups daily; no dose is given for the essential oil or the tincture.

Can anise interact with medications?

Anise essential oil may interact with drugs acting on the central nervous system, including analgesics, codeine, antidepressants and barbiturates.

What is the difference between anise and star anise?

Green anise (Pimpinella anisum) and star anise (Illicium verum) are unrelated plants that both contain trans-anethole. The French Pharmacopoeia tolerates a preparation made from star anise in place of green anise.

Sources

Bibliography

↑1. Hosseinzadeh H, Tafaghodi M, Abedzadeh S, Taghiabadi E. Effect of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Pimpinella anisum L. seeds on milk production in rats. J Acupunct Meridian Stud. 2014;7(4):211–216.
PubMed: PMID 25151455 →

↑2. Farahmand M, Khalili D, Ramezani Tehrani F, Amin G, Negarandeh R. Could anise decrease the intensity of premenstrual syndrome symptoms in comparison to placebo? A double-blind randomized clinical trial. J Complement Integr Med. 2020.
PubMed: PMID 32692701 →

↑3. Lee HS. p-Anisaldehyde: acaricidal component of Pimpinella anisum seed oil against the house dust mites Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. Planta Med. 2004;70(3):279–281.
PubMed: PMID 15114512 →

↑4. Howes MJ, Houghton PJ, Barlow DJ, Pocock VJ, Milligan SR. Assessment of estrogenic activity in some common essential oil constituents. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2002;54(11):1521–1528.
PubMed: PMID 12495555 →

↑5. Tabanca N, Khan SI, Bedir E, et al. Estrogenic activity of isolated compounds and essential oils of Pimpinella species from Turkey, evaluated using a recombinant yeast screen. Planta Med. 2004;70(8):728–735.
PubMed: PMID 15368661 →

↑6. Karimzadeh F, Hosseini M, Mangeng D, et al. Anticonvulsant and neuroprotective effects of Pimpinella anisum in rat brain. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2012;12:76.
Abstract →

↑7. Tabanca N, Ma G, Pasco DS, et al. Effect of essential oils and isolated compounds from Pimpinella species on NF-kappaB: a target for antiinflammatory therapy. Phytother Res. 2007;21(8):741–745.
PubMed: PMID 17450505 →

↑8. Jamshidzadeh A, Heidari R, Razmjou M, et al. An in vivo and in vitro investigation on hepatoprotective effects of Pimpinella anisum seed essential oil and extracts against carbon tetrachloride-induced toxicity. Iran J Basic Med Sci. 2015;18(2):205–211.
PubMed: PMID 25825639 →

↑9. Felšöciová S, Kačániová M, Horská E, et al. Antifungal activity of essential oils against selected terverticillate penicillia. Ann Agric Environ Med. 2015;22(1):38–42.
PubMed: PMID 25780826 →

↑10. Ghoshegir SA, Mazaheri M, Ghannadi A, et al. Pimpinella anisum in the treatment of functional dyspepsia: a double-blind, randomized clinical trial. J Res Med Sci. 2015;20(1):13–21.
PubMed: PMID 25767516 →

↑11. Ghoshegir SA, Mazaheri M, Ghannadi A, et al. Pimpinella anisum in modifying the quality of life in patients with functional dyspepsia: a double-blind randomized clinical trial. J Res Med Sci. 2014;19(12):1118–1123.
PubMed: PMID 25709650 →

↑12. Wu J, Cao Z, Hassan SSU, et al. Emerging biopharmaceuticals from Pimpinella genus. Molecules. 2023;28(4):1571.
PubMed: PMID 36838559 →

↑13. Samojlik I, Mijatović V, Petković S, Skrbić B, Božin B. The influence of essential oil of aniseed (Pimpinella anisum L.) on drug effects on the central nervous system. Fitoterapia. 2012;83(8):1466–1473.
PubMed: PMID 22926042 →

Additional Sources

Wichtl M, Anton R. Plantes thérapeutiques: Tradition, pratique officinale, science et thérapeutique. Éditions Tec & Doc, Cachan. 1999; p. 35.

Gamberini MT, Rodrigues DS, Rodrigues D, Pontes VB. Effects of the aqueous extract of Pimpinella anisum L. seeds on exploratory activity and emotional behavior in rats using the open field and elevated plus maze tests. J Ethnopharmacol. 2015;168:45–49.
PubMed: PMID 25839118 →