Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUses of AniseSide EffectsPrecautionsDosageToxicityInteractionsHow to StoreSimilar SupplementsSources & What to Look For
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Uses of Anise
Side Effects
Precautions
Dosage
Toxicity
Interactions
How to Store
Similar Supplements
Sources & What to Look For
Anise is an annual herb of theparsleyfamily that’s said to have health benefits including relieving menstrual cramps and menopausal symptoms. It’s also thought to help manage diabetes, indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, migraines, nasal allergies, and more.
Its scientific name isPimpinella anisum(P. anisum). Anise is native to Egypt and the eastern Mediterranean region. However, it also grows in other parts of the world, such as areas in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. Whenchoosing a supplement, look for independently tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.
Supplement FactsActive ingredients (s): Acetophenone, anethole, anise alcohol, estragole, limonene, p-anisaldehyde, pineneAlternative name(s): Anise,Pimpinella anisum,P. anisum, aniseed (the fruits ofP. anisum)Legal status: Over-the-counter supplement in the United States; substance added to foodSuggested dose: May vary based on the specific dosage form and medical conditionSafety considerations: Used in children, pregnant people, and breastfeeding parents, although more information is still needed to assess its safety better
Supplement Facts
Active ingredients (s): Acetophenone, anethole, anise alcohol, estragole, limonene, p-anisaldehyde, pineneAlternative name(s): Anise,Pimpinella anisum,P. anisum, aniseed (the fruits ofP. anisum)Legal status: Over-the-counter supplement in the United States; substance added to foodSuggested dose: May vary based on the specific dosage form and medical conditionSafety considerations: Used in children, pregnant people, and breastfeeding parents, although more information is still needed to assess its safety better
Savany / Getty Images
Like many natural products, more extensive research is necessary. But people might use anise for various reasons.
Diabetes
Results from a 2022 review suggest people withtype 2 diabetes(high blood sugar due to a problem in the way the body regulates and uses sugar for use as energy) might benefit from 5 grams (g) of aniseed powder per day for 60 days.
The potential effects werelower fasting (before-meal) blood sugar levelsand lowertotal cholesterolandtriglyceride levels.
Indigestion
Results in a review suggested people with functional dyspepsia might benefit from 3 g of anise powder three times daily with food for four weeks.Functionaldyspepsiais a medical condition with symptoms of indigestion (upper abdominal pain or discomfort) for at least 12 weeks that started within the last six months.
While the results look promising, additional research with larger groups of participants is still necessary to better understand how anise works.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Studies suggested people withirritable bowel syndrome(IBS) might benefit from anise oil. In these clinical trials, a group of study participants took anise oil as an enteric-coated (EC) capsule called AnisEncap.
The dosage was 600 milligrams (mg) (three capsules of 200 mg each) before a meal every day for four weeks.
The group that took AnisEncap reported fewer of the following symptoms when compared to the group taking aplacebo(an intentionally ineffective drug given to people in a control group):
The AnisEncap group also had symptom relief fromdepressionand severeconstipation.
What’s more, this group reported experiencing a better quality of life.
Although results were promising, higher-quality and larger clinical trials are still necessary to better assess the effects of anise and understand how it works.
Natural Remedies for IBS
Migraines
Results from a small six-week study suggested that people withmigrainesmight benefit from an aniseed oil cream, which they applied to the forehead and temporal areas (behind the ears).
The aniseed oil cream group of study participants experienced migraine attacks less often than the group not using the cream. And if they did have an attack, it didn’t last as long. However, the cream didn’t seem to affect the severity of the migraine attack.
While this trial is promising, additional research with larger clinical trials is still necessary.
Nasal Allergies
A small clinical trial compared anise to fluticasone nasal spray for nasal (nose)allergies.
The anise group of participants applied nasal drops containing 200 micrograms (mcg) of a water extract of aniseed in almond oil into each nostril every 12 hours for four weeks.
Results from this study suggest that anise might be better at relieving nasal allergy symptoms than fluticasone nasal sprays, which include the brand Flonase.
Larger clinical trials with extensive research are still necessary to evaluate these effects.
Premenstrual Syndrome
Results from a small study suggested an alcohol extract of aniseed powder might relievepremenstrual syndrome(PMS) symptoms better than a placebo. In this clinical trial, the dosage was 330 mg per day.
Natural Remedies for Menstrual Cramps
Hot Flashes
Another small clinical trial also studied the potential use of an alcohol extract of aniseed powder for relieving certainmenopausalsymptoms, such as hot flashes.
In this study, a group of participants took 990 mg of the extract daily for four weeks. The extract seemed to decrease the severity of the hot flashes, as well as their frequency.
However, larger clinical trials need to be performed extensively compare anise to typical hormonal therapies and their effects on various hormone levels.
Natural Menopause Symptom Treatments
What Are the Side Effects of Anise?
As with many medications and natural products, side effects are possible with anise.
Common Side Effects
There is little information about anise’s common side effects. However, the FDA placed anise on its Substances Added to Food list.
Severe Side Effects
Anise is generally recognized as safe with typical amounts in food.One study reported no severe side effects with enteric-coated (EC) anise oil capsules (AnisEncap).
However, a severe allergic reaction is a serious side effect possible with any medication, including plant-based medicines. If you’re having asevere allergic reactionto anise, symptoms may include breathing difficulties, itchiness, and rash.
Call 911 and get medical help immediately if you’re having a severe allergic reaction or any of your symptoms feel life-threatening.
A healthcare provider may advise against using anise if any of the following applies to you:
Severe allergic reaction: If you have or have had a severe allergic reaction to anise or its components (ingredients or parts), you shouldn’t take this medication.
Pregnancy: Historically, anise was considered safe and traditionally used duringpregnancy. But essential oil constituents (components or parts) might reach the unborn fetus and have harmful effects.Aniseed oil and alcohol extracts of aniseed should be avoided. Aqueous (water-based) extracts of aniseed are preferred during pregnancy.Contact your healthcare provider to discuss the benefits and risks before using anise during pregnancy.
Breastfeeding: As with pregnancy, the use of anise was historically considered safe in breastfeeding parents and a way to increase milk supply. However, there aren’t any solid and high-quality clinical trials to support this use or effect.Little is known about the safety of anise in nursing babies.Anise is present in breast milk but in smaller amounts than what breastfeeding parents take. A small study showed no side effects in nursing infants.
However, reports of toxicity in nursing babies exist from breastfeeding parents who drank too much tea containing anise and other herbs. Anise may also change how the breast milk might smell. Some breastfeeding parents also experienced abnormal liver labs.
Consult with a healthcare provider to discuss the benefits and harms before using anise—particularly aniseed oil and alcohol extracts of aniseed.While the possible exception is water-based extracts of aniseed, most anise product labels don’t likely targetbreastfeedingparents.
Children: A small clinical trial showed no negative effects in nursing babies when breastfeeding parents used anise.But there’s a possibility of toxicity in these children if the breastfeeding parents drink too much tea containing anise and other herbs.
What’s more, many anise products likely target adults—not children.If you are considering anise for your child, talk with their healthcare provider.
Older adults over 65 years old: Older adults participated in anise-related clinical trials, but these studies were small.Some older adults tend to have a higher likelihood of medication side effects. For this reason, use anise with caution.
Diabetes: Anise may affect your blood sugar.A healthcare provider may want to closely monitor your blood sugar levels—especially if you take medications for diabetes.
Breast cancer: Endocrine (hormone) therapy is typically used after surgery for certain types of breast cancer. This is to prevent these types of breast cancers from coming back.Since anise might have someestrogen-like effects and may interfere with endocrine therapy, the healthcare provider might want to avoid it.
Dosage: How Much Anise Should I Take?
Always speak with a healthcare provider before taking a supplement to ensure that the supplement and dosage are appropriate for your individual needs.
While there are some studies on anise in humans, high-quality clinical trials are still necessary.For this reason, there are no guidelines on the appropriate dosage to take for any condition.
What Happens If I Take Too Much Anise?
At typical amounts in food, anise is generally considered safe.
However, with excessive amounts, possible symptoms of toxicity with anise may include:
Some anise products might also be contaminated with fake star anises, which may result in the following serious side effects:
If you suspect you’re experiencing life-threatening side effects, seek immediate medical attention.
In general, there is limited information about possible medication interactions with anise. However, most data is based on in vitro (cell culture) and in vivo (animal) studies.
Use caution when taking anise with the following:
CYP2C9 substrate medications: CYP2C9 is a liver protein typically responsible for breaking down and clearing out certain medications. Some examples of CYP2C9 substrates may include ablood pressuremedication called Cozaar (losartan), a blood thinner calledJantoven (warfarin), and an anti-seizuremedication called Dilantin (phenytoin).
Anise may promote the CYP2C9 protein to work faster and quickly break down these medications, lowering their effectiveness.So, if you take anise with these medications, a healthcare provider may want to closely monitor you and make any necessary adjustments to your medications.
Sleep-inducing medications: Various medications may make you sleepy. Some examples are codeine to help relievepainandValium (diazepam)to help relieveanxietyormuscle spasms. Anise may increase this side effect, making you excessively drowsy and sleepy.
Hormone therapy:Anise may have some estrogen-like activity.For this reason, anise may interact with endocrine (hormone) therapy for certain types of breast cancer, menopausal hormone therapy, and hormonal birth control.
It is essential to carefully read a supplement’s ingredients list and nutrition facts panel to learn which ingredients are present and how much of each ingredient is included. Please review this supplement label with a healthcare provider to discuss potential interactions with foods, other supplements, and medications.
How to Store Anise
Since storage instructions may vary for different natural products, carefully read the directions and packaging label on the container.
Keep your medications tightly closed and out of the sight and reach of children and pets, ideally locked in a cabinet or closet. Store in a cool and dry place, and discard after one year or as indicated on the packaging.
Avoid putting unused and expired medicines down the drain or in the toilet. Visit the FDA’s website to know where and how to discard all unused and expired medicines. You can also find disposal boxes in your area.Ask a pharmacist or healthcare provider any questions about how to dispose of your medications or supplements.
Anise may have potential uses for high blood sugar, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), migraines, allergies,menstrual periodsymptoms, and menopause.
Other potentially similar supplements may include:
Frequently Asked Questions
Anise is available in a few different dosage forms—with liquid potentially being the most common.
Yes. The anise seed is a source of B-complex vitamins, including thiamin (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin (vitamin B3), and pyridoxine (vitamin B6). It’s also a source of other vitamins, such as vitamins A and C. As for minerals, it’s a source of calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, and zinc.
No. Anise (Pimpinella anisum) and star anise (Illicium verum) have similar flavor profiles and uses. However, they do not come from the same plant. Anise is an herb from the parsley family, and star anise is the dry fruit from the star anise tree.
No. Anise and licorice have very similar flavor profiles, but they do not come from the same plant. Anise is from the parsley family, and licorice is from the pea family.
No. Both anise and fennel are herbs from the same official family called Apiaceae. But anise is from the parsley part of the family, and fennel is from the carrot part of the family. They’re not from the same plant.
To safely take natural products—like anise—inform a healthcare provider and pharmacist about any medication changes.This includes over-the-counter (OTC), herbal, natural medications, and supplements.They can help prevent possible interactions and side effects. They can also ensure you’re giving anise a good trial at appropriate doses.
Sources of Anise & What to Look For
There are several different sources of anise.
Food Sources of Anise
Anise is naturally available as a plant from the parsley family.When the aniseed (anise fruit) is ripe and dried, it can be used as a spice.
The FDA has placed anise to its list of approved substances added to food.
You may see aniseed and anise oil as flavoring agents in various foods, such as curries, Italian sausage, baked goods, and desserts.
Anise Supplements
Anise might be available in the following forms:
Summary
Anise is an herb from the parsley family. It might have potential use for high blood sugar, indigestion (upset stomach), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), migraines, allergies, menstrual period symptoms, and menopause.
Similar to many medications and natural products, side effects and medication interactions are still possible. Additional higher-quality, longer-term, and larger clinical trials are still necessary to better evaluate the effectiveness and safety of anise.
Before taking anise, consult with a registered dietitian nutritionist, pharmacist, or healthcare provider to help you choose safely.
22 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Encyclopedia Britannica.Anise.Food and Drug Administration.Substances added to food (formerly EAFUS).Singletary K.Anise: Potential health benefits.Nutrition Today. 2022;57(2):96-109. doi: 10.1097/NT.0000000000000534Ghoshegir SA, Mazaheri M, Ghannadi A, et al.Pimpinella anisumin modifying the quality of life in patients with functional dyspepsia: A double-blind randomized clinical trial.Journal of Research in Medical Sciences. 2014;19(12): 1118-1123.Mosaffa-Jahromi M, Tamaddon AM, Afsharypuor S, et al.Effectiveness of anise oil for treatment of mild to moderate depression in people with irritable bowel syndrome.Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine. 2017;22(1):41-46. doi: 10.1177%2F2156587216628374Mahboubi M, Mahboubi M.Pimpinella anisumand female disorders: A review.Phytomedicine Plus. 2021;1(3):100063. doi: 10.1016/j.phyplu.2021.100063LactMed.Anise.National Institutes of Health: Office Dietary Supplements.Dietary supplement label database.American Cancer Society.Hormone therapy for breast cancer.Sun W, Shahrajabian MH, Cheng Q.Anise (Pimpinella anisum L.), a dominant spice and traditional medicinal herb for both food and medicinal purposes.Cogent Biology. 2019;5(1):1673688. doi: 10.1080/23312025.2019.1673688Food and Drug Administration.Drug development and drug interactions | Table of substrates, inhibitors, and inducers.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Black cohosh.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Headaches: What you need to know.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.6 things to know about complementary health approaches for seasonal allergy relief.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Chasteberry.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Diabetes and dietary supplements: What you need to know.National Center of Complementary and Integrative Health.7 tips: Irritable bowel syndrome and complementary health approaches.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Valerian.Encyclopedia Britannica.Star anise.Encyclopedia Britannica.Licorice.Encyclopedia Britannica.Fennel.MedlinePlus.A guide to herbal remedies.
Encyclopedia Britannica.Anise.
Food and Drug Administration.Substances added to food (formerly EAFUS).
Singletary K.Anise: Potential health benefits.Nutrition Today. 2022;57(2):96-109. doi: 10.1097/NT.0000000000000534
Ghoshegir SA, Mazaheri M, Ghannadi A, et al.Pimpinella anisumin modifying the quality of life in patients with functional dyspepsia: A double-blind randomized clinical trial.Journal of Research in Medical Sciences. 2014;19(12): 1118-1123.
Mosaffa-Jahromi M, Tamaddon AM, Afsharypuor S, et al.Effectiveness of anise oil for treatment of mild to moderate depression in people with irritable bowel syndrome.Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine. 2017;22(1):41-46. doi: 10.1177%2F2156587216628374
Mahboubi M, Mahboubi M.Pimpinella anisumand female disorders: A review.Phytomedicine Plus. 2021;1(3):100063. doi: 10.1016/j.phyplu.2021.100063
LactMed.Anise.
National Institutes of Health: Office Dietary Supplements.Dietary supplement label database.
American Cancer Society.Hormone therapy for breast cancer.
Sun W, Shahrajabian MH, Cheng Q.Anise (Pimpinella anisum L.), a dominant spice and traditional medicinal herb for both food and medicinal purposes.Cogent Biology. 2019;5(1):1673688. doi: 10.1080/23312025.2019.1673688
Food and Drug Administration.Drug development and drug interactions | Table of substrates, inhibitors, and inducers.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Black cohosh.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Headaches: What you need to know.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.6 things to know about complementary health approaches for seasonal allergy relief.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Chasteberry.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Diabetes and dietary supplements: What you need to know.
National Center of Complementary and Integrative Health.7 tips: Irritable bowel syndrome and complementary health approaches.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Valerian.
Encyclopedia Britannica.Star anise.
Encyclopedia Britannica.Licorice.
Encyclopedia Britannica.Fennel.
MedlinePlus.A guide to herbal remedies.
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.
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Lee JB, Yamagishi C, Hayashi K, Hayashi T.Antiviral and immunostimulating effects of lignin-carbohydrate-protein complexes from Pimpinella anisum.Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2011;75(3):459-65. doi:10.1271/bbb.100645
Nahidi F, Kariman N, Simbar M, Mojab F.The study on the effects of Pimpinella anisum on relief and recurrence of menopausal hot flashes.Iran J Pharm Res.2012 Fall;11(4):1079-85.
Nahid K, Fariborz M, Ataolah G, Solokian S.The effect of an Iranian herbal drug on primary dysmenorrhea: A clinical controlled trial.J Midwifery Womens Health.2009 Sep-Oct;54(5):401-4. doi:10.1016/j.jmwh.2008.12.006
Picon PD, Picon RV, Costa AF, et al.Randomized clinical trial of a phytotherapic compound containing Pimpinella anisum, Foeniculum vulgare, Sambucus nigra, and Cassia augustifolia for chronic constipation.BMC Complement Altern Med.2010 Apr 30;10:17. doi:10.1186/1472-6882-10-17
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 Dec;83(8):1466-73. doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2012.08.012
Shojaii A, Abdollahi Fard M.Review of pharmacological properties and chemical constituents of pimpinella anisum.ISRN Pharm. 2012; 2012:510795. doi:10.5402%2F2012%2F510795
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