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Anise

Anise oil is obtained from fruits of the herb. The highest quality oil comes from allise seeds. The oil’s major component is tuns-anethole, which is responsible for the taste, smell, and medicinal properties of anise. Anise is rich in calcium and iron

Structurally, anise is comparable to catecholamines (such asdopamine,epinephrine,and norepinephrine) and the hallucinogenic compound myristicin. It also possesses some estrogenic acitivity. Bergapten, another component of anise, may cause photosensitivity recations and may be carcinogenic. Anise is available as dried fruit, essential oil, and tea.

Benefits And Uses of Anise

Anise is used to treat coughs and colds and to decrease bloating and gas. In higher doses, anise is used as an antispasmodic and antiseptic for cough, asthma, and bronchitis, as it has expectorant properties.

Anise also has weak antibacterial effects against gram-positive and gram negative organisms. The oil has been used to treatlice, scabies, and psoriasis.

Anise has also been used as flavoring in alcohols, various foods, perfumes, and soaps.In folk medicine, anise has been used to increase lactation, induce menstruation, facilitate birth, increase libido, and alleviate menopausal symptoms.

Administration

• As an antiflatulent: For adults, 1 tablespoon of tea several times every day; for breast-feeding babies, 1 teaspoon of tea by mouth as needed
• Dried fruit: 0.5 to 1 g (3 g maximum) by mouth every day .
• Essential oil: 50 to 200 ml by mouth every day .
• As an expectorant: 1 cup of tea by mouth in the morning or the evening . Tea (1 to 2 teaspoons of crushed seed steeped in hot water for 10 to 15 minutes): 1 cup three times a day.

Side Effects of Anise

Adverse effects associated with anise include seizures, nausea, vomiting, stomatitis, pulmonary edema, erythema, scaling, vesiculation, and photosensitivity reactions.

High doses of anise can interfere with anticoagulants, monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, oral contraceptives, and other hormone therapy.There is an increased risk of photosensitivity reactions for patients taking anise. Those with dermatitis or inflammatory or allergic skin reactions should avoid using anise.

Those allergic to anise or anethole should avoid use. Those with coagulation problems should use anise with caution.

Clinical considerations

• Preparations containing 5% to 10% essential oil can be used externally.
• If overdose occurs, monitor patient for neurologic changes and provide supportive measures for nausea and vomiting.
• If patient is pregnant, instruct her not to use anise.
• If patient is taking an anticoagulant or an antiplatelet drug, advise him not to take anise.
• If patient is taking MAO inhibitors or hormones, tell him to seek medical advice before taking anise.
• Instruct patient not to exceed the daily recommended dose.
• Advise patient to report any skin changes to his health care provider.
• Tell patient to remind prescriber and pharmacist of any herbal or dietary supplement that he’s taking when obtaining a new prescription.
• Advise patient to consult his health care provider before using an herbal preparation because a treatment with proven efficacy may be available.

Research summary

The concepts behind the use of anise and the claims made regarding its effects have not yet been validated scientifically.

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