ANISEED SIDE EFFECTS AND BENEFITS
ANISEED SIDE EFFECTS AND BENEFITS

Aniseed [Pimpinella anisum, Umbelliferae], Anise

INTRODUCTION

Aniseed is originally from Egypt and Asia Minor but it also can grow in warmer climates. The ripe dry fruits of
aniseed are usually collected in the summer. It contains volatile oils, the polymers of anethole, dianethole and
photoanethole, coumarins, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, fatty acids, sterols, proteins and carbohydrates.

Anise has been used as a traditional aromatic herb in many drinks and baked foods because of the presence of
volatile oils in its fruits [commonly known as seeds]. Hot water extracts of these seeds have been used also in folk
medicine for their diuretic and laxative effect, expectorant and anti-spasmodic action, and their ability to ease
intestinal colic and flatulence. [2] Further, aniseed has also been claimed to benefit libido, lactation (milk
production), digestion (reduction of nausea, gas and bloating) and certain skin conditions (lice and scabies) over
the internet.

ANISEED PREPARATION
Pour one cup of boiling water over l-2 teaspoonfuls of crushed anise seeds and let it stand covered for 5 to l0
minutes. Take one cup three times a day. To treat flatulence, drink the tea slowly before meals. [3]

RESEARCH FINDINGS

ANISEED BENEFITS - GLUCOSE ABSORPTION
In a study of rat, aniseed oil enhanced glucose absorption from the rat jejunum and increased the Na+-K+ ATPase
activity in a jejunal homogenate in a dose dependent manner. [2]

ANISEED BENEFITS - URINE OUTPUT REDUCTION
In a study of rat, aniseed oil has an anti-diuretic effect through a similar mechanism in the kidney. [2]

ANISEED BENEFITS - IMMUNE STIMULANT?
One hundred and sixty, day old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to four treatments, as A, B, C, receiving 20,
30 and 40 mL of 6% (w/v) concentrated aniseed infusion and D was kept as control group. Each treatment was
replicated four times with ten chicks per replicate. Chicks were reared in cages in an open sided house.
Vaccination was done against ND and IBD.  Mean weight gain, FCR and dressing percentage was found better (p
< 0.05) in group C.  Mean antibody titer against IBD was higher (p < 0.05) in group C.Mean percent mortality was
found higher (p < 0.05) in group D. [5]

ANISEED BENEFITS - AIRWAY
A herbal composite containing garlic, white horehound, boneset, aniseed, fennel, licorice, thyme, and hyssop was
shown reduce the clinical signs of recurrent airway obstruction in "horses". [6]

COMMENT: There are only a few animals studies supporting the health claims of aniseed and it is not sure if
aniseed works in the same way in our body.

ANISEED SIDE EFFECTS
Aniseed probably is safe, without serious side effects. An outbreak of Salmonella Agona caused by
aniseed-containing herbal tea occurred from October 2002 through July 2003 among infants in Germany. [1] A
case of aniseed-induced tongue angioedema was reported. This is the first case of type I hypersensitivity due to
aniseed liqueur ingestion reported. [4] High doses of aniseed oil can cause side effects like nausea and vomiting.

This article is for your reference only. If you have any questions, please, consult with your doctor. All right reserved. DO NOT COPY NOR
TRANSFER THIS ARTICLE TO OTHER WEBSITE(S) OR BLOG(S)

REFERENCES
[1] Koch J. Salmonella agona outbreak from contaminated aniseed, Germany. Emerg Infect Dis. 2005 Jul;11(7):1124-7. [2]
Kreydiyyeh SI, Aniseed oil increases glucose absorption and reduces urine output in the rat. Life Sci. 2003 Dec 19;74(5):663-73. [3]
The herbalist by David Hoffman, (c)1993 David Hoffman, Hopkins Technology [4] Gázquez García V, Gaig Jané P, Bartolomé Zavala
B. Aniseed-induced nocturnal tongue angioedema. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 2007;17(6):406-8. [5] Durrani FR, Sultan A,
Ahmed S, Chand N, Khattak FM, Durrani Z. Efficacy of aniseed extract as immune stimulant and growth promoter in broiler chicks.
Pak J Biol Sci. 2007 Oct 15;10(20):3718-21. [6] Pearson W, Charch A, Brewer D, Clarke AF. Pilot study investigating the ability of an
herbal composite to alleviate clinical signs of respiratory dysfunction in horses with recurrent airway obstruction. Can J Vet Res.
2007 Apr;71(2):145-51.
Discuss with your doctor before taking any alternative medicine. This article is for
reference only, it is not a medical advice. All rights reserved. Do not copy this article to
other website or blog.