Anise, belonging to the Apiaceae family, originates from the Eastern Mediterranean. It is an annual herbaceous plant, measuring 50 to 80 cm in height, with white-yellow flowers in umbels, and upright and hollow green stems.
It is one of the oldest spice plants used for culinary and medicinal purposes. The parts of anise used are the seed, which can be ground into powder or the oil that can be extracted.
The active components of anise are: sesquiterpenes, phenolic acids, furocoumarins, essential oil based on anethole, sugars, starch, flavonoids, resin, malic acid.
Green anise is traditionally used for its carminative properties (intestinal flatulence), antispasmodic, and galactagogue (women use anise to increase lactation during breastfeeding). It is also used as an expectorant to increase coughing, as a diuretic to increase urinary output, and as an appetite stimulant.
Active Components
- Flavonoids
- Sesquiterpenes
- Phenolic acids
- Furocoumarins
Properties
Effet digestif
In animals, anise has significant cytoprotective and anti-ulcer activities against experimentally induced gastric lesions. The anti-ulcer effect of anise may be induced by prostaglandins and/or by its antisecretory and antioxidant properties. Moreover, some in vivo studies have shown that anise has a spasmolytic effect.
Finally, anise has long been used as a carminative: it promotes the expulsion of intestinal gases.
Associated Uses:
- Digestive disorders
- Irritable bowel syndrome
Effet respiratoire
In vitro, the essential oil and aqueous and ethanolic extracts of anise seem to have bronchodilator effects, through anticholinergic activity.
Associated Uses:
- Bronchitis
Antibactérien
Studies have shown that the essential oils of anise and various constituents of anise had antibacterial effects in vitro against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Salmonella enterica, Proteus vulgaris, while others have shown that anise does not have antibacterial effects against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli O157: H7, and other bacteria. Trans-anethole, a constituent of anise, has demonstrated antibacterial effects against Salmonella.
Anti-inflammatoire
In animals, anise oil has shown anti-inflammatory effects. Indeed, anethole, a constituent of anise, appears to inhibit the production and activity of inflammatory cytokines. Additionally, it inhibits the activity of NF-kB (nuclear factor-kappa B: a protein involved in the immune response and cellular stress response) induced by tumor necrosis factor (TNF).
Action oestrogenique
Some constituents of anise oil, including anethole, may have estrogenic effects. However, other in vitro research has shown that aqueous extracts of anise have anti-estrogenic effects.
Associated Uses:
- Menopause
Galactogène
Green anise is considered a galactagogue. It is therefore thought to stimulate milk secretion in breastfeeding women.
Associated Uses:
- Lactation
Clinical Studies
Troubles de digestion
✪✪✪✪✪
A clinical study on adults with postprandial distress syndrome showed that taking 3 grams of anise powder three times a day for 4 weeks improved the symptoms of functional dyspepsia compared to a placebo. Moreover, the quality of life of patients treated with anise improved compared to the placebo. According to the EMA, anise is traditionally used to improve digestive disorders, notably abdominal bloating. The recommended dose is 50-200 microliters of anise oil, three times a day.
Dosage
150 microlitre – 600 microlitre par jour
2 semaines
Huile – Graine
Calsamiglia, S., Busquet, M., Cardozo, P. W., Castillejos, L., and Ferret, A. Invited review: Essential oils as modifiers of rumen microbial fermentation. J Dairy Sci. 2007;90(6):2580-2595.
Cardozo, P. W., Calsamiglia, S., Ferret, A., and Kamel, C. Effects of natural plant extracts on ruminal protein degradation and fermentation profiles in continuous culture. J Anim Sci. 2004;82(11):3230-3236.
Cardozo, P. W., Calsamiglia, S., Ferret, A., and Kamel, C. Effects of alfalfa extract, anise, capsicum, and a mixture of cinnamaldehyde and eugenol on ruminal fermentation and protein degradation in beef heifers fed a high-concentrate diet. J Anim Sci 2006;84(10):2801-2808.
Community herbal monograph on Pimpinella anisum L., aetheroleum
Busquet, M., Calsamiglia, S., Ferret, A., and Kamel, C. Plant extracts affect in vitro rumen microbial fermentation. J Dairy Sci. 2006;89(2):761-771.
Syndrome de l’intestin irritable
✪✪✪✪✪
Clinical studies conducted on adults with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have shown that taking 200 mg of anise oil three times a day for 4 weeks eliminates IBS symptoms in 75% of patients, compared to 52.5% of patients taking peppermint oil and 35% of patients taking a placebo. The most significant improvement was in abdominal pain, bloating, and reflux, which was sustained for an additional 2 weeks after treatment ended.
Dosage
600 mg par jour
4 semaines
Huile – Graine
Efficacy and safety of enteric coated capsules of anise oil to treat irritable bowel syndrome.
Ménopause
✪✪✪✪✪
Preliminary clinical research conducted on menopausal women shows that taking an anise seed extract at a dose of 330 mg three times a day for four weeks reduced the frequency and severity of hot flashes by about 75% compared to a placebo.
Dosage
990 mg – 9000 mg par jour
4 semaines
Extrait sec – Graine
The Study on the Effects of Pimpinella anisum on Relief and Recurrence of Menopausal Hot Flashes.
Lactation
✪✪✪✪✪
Traditional use. Anise green is considered a galactagogue. It would therefore stimulate milk secretion in breastfeeding women.
Dosage
990 mg – 9000 mg par jour
4 semaines
Tisane/thé/infusion – Graine
Bronchite
✪✪✪✪✪
According to the EMA, anise-based preparations are traditionally used as expectorants (they help expel phlegm) in productive coughs associated with bronchitis.
Dosage
150 microlitre – 600 microlitre par jour
2 semaines
Huile – Graine
Community herbal monograph on Pimpinella anisum L., aetheroleum
Safety Dosage
Adulte à partir de 18 an(s)
150 μl – 600 μl par jour – Huile
Anise powder has been used safely in doses up to 9 grams per day for 4 weeks. Anise oil has been used safely taken orally at doses up to 600 mg per day for 4 weeks. The EMA recommends a dose of 150 to 600 µL of anise oil per day in three doses for 2 weeks, for subjects over 18 years old.
Interactions
Medications
Oral Contraceptives: moderate interaction
Preliminary research suggests that anise may have anti-estrogenic effects. Theoretically, concurrent use of large amounts of anise may interfere with contraceptive medications through competition for estrogen receptors.
Estrogens: moderate interaction
Theoretically, the concurrent use of large amounts of anise may interfere with hormone replacement therapy by competing for estrogen receptors.
Tamoxifen: moderate interaction
Theoretically, high doses of anise may interfere with tamoxifen due to its potential estrogenic effects.
Contraindications
Pregnant women: use with caution
When used orally in amounts commonly found in foods, anise and anise oil are not harmful. There is not enough reliable information about the safety of anise when taken orally in medicinal amounts during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding women: use with caution
When used orally in amounts commonly found in foods, anise and anise oil are not harmful. There is not enough reliable information about the safety of anise when taken orally in medicinal amounts during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Children: use with caution
When used orally in amounts commonly found in foods, anise and anise oil are not harmful. There is not enough reliable information about the safety of anise when taken orally in medicinal amounts by children.
