What Are the Health and Medicinal Uses for Anise?

Anise (or, aniseed) is a common spice found in most kitchens, where it plays a crucial role in hundreds of different recipes. Health and medicinal uses of anise include that it is good for diabetes, menopause symptoms, and inflammation.

Anise (or, aniseed) is a common spice found in most kitchens, where it plays a crucial role in hundreds of different recipes. However, not many people know that aniseed also has a long history of being used as a herbal remedy in traditional Asian cultures. Modern research has not only confirmed some of these alleged health benefits but also discovered some new ones. 

Here’s what you need to know.

Pimpinella anisum, more commonly known as anise, is a herbaceous plant that grows in temperate and subtropical regions of the world. This plant is known for producing a hairy fruit that contains a single seed inside.

The anise seed is a common spice that’s used to add a sweet and aromatic touch to different meals. It can also be eaten in salads, and the leaves of the plants may even be used for flavoring alcoholic beverages. 

It’s important not to confuse the anise seed with the similarly-named star anise. Star anise is a small plant that produces star-shaped, aromatic flowers that have a woody texture. While they are used for similar purposes, star anise has different health benefits, so make sure you’re buying the right one.

Anise was widely used in traditional Asian medicine, particularly Chinese medicine — ancient texts mention it, for example, as a possible treatment for epilepsy. Modern research is showing that both anise seed and anise oil are capable of providing even more health benefits.

Recently, more and more health benefits have been confirmed to come from the anise plant, making it one of the safer and most effective supplements available today. Here are some of its medicinal properties:

Helps treat diabetes

Recent research has shown promise in using aniseed to lower blood sugar levels, which could in turn help manage conditions such as diabetes. While there isn’t yet a clear explanation for this, experts believe it has to do with anethole — a key component of aniseed. Anethole not only lowers blood sugar levels but also promotes the production of insulin in the body.

Has antimicrobial and antifungal properties

Aniseed extracts have also shown antibacterial and antifungal properties. Although this was tested in an isolated environment, experts believe that these benefits could extend to the human body. Namely, this would mean that taking aniseed could prevent and help fight certain infections caused by fungi and bacteria.

Alleviates menopause symptoms

Women who are going through menopause, or are already postmenopausal, are prone to certain uncomfortable symptoms, such as headaches and palpitations. Aniseed is able to reduce the severity of some symptoms of acute menopausal syndrome. Particularly, it has proven to be an effective solution for hot flashes — sudden feelings of hot and cold in the neck and face.

Has anti-inflammatory functions

While the reason why this happens in humans is unclear, aniseed has long been considered an effective anti-inflammatory agent. Studies also show that it could also play a crucial part in reducing pain. In fact, it seems that a sufficient dose of anise could be comparable to an aspirin. 

Other benefits

While not all of the reported health benefits are completely confirmed, preliminary testing proves that anise can be one of the most beneficial supplements in specific cases. Here are some of the other health benefits. It:

• Helps fight viral infections
• Relaxes muscles
• Prevents convulsions
• Has laxative properties
• Acts as an antispasmodic

Remember, though, that the efficiency of these properties varies from person to person, and they may not function at all in certain cases. 

Both anise seed and anise oil are widely regarded to be safe for use in small doses for set periods of time. However, there are a few things to keep in mind, as anise can be dangerous for certain people. 

Particularly, people with mugwort allergies should avoid taking anise without asking their doctor. Anise could cause an unexpected reaction, so it’d be best to take it under professional supervision. Similarly, people taking blood thinners should also consult with a doctor — anise can increase the risk of bleeding.

Anise may also reduce the effectiveness of contraceptives, increasing the chance of pregnancy for women. This doesn’t always happen, but a doctor will be able to discern whether or not the anise and a contraceptive will likely interact. 

Pregnant and breastfeeding women should also be careful with their intake of anise to avoid intoxicating the newborn.

While these side effects may sound serious, remember that anise is widely considered to be safe for most people. Still, if you’re in doubt, or you are among the cases mentioned above, you should check with a doctor before taking anise.

Anise is found in small doses as a spice in many traditional Asian dishes. It’s also used in baked goods, teas, and liquors, so you’re probably already intaking some amount of anise in your everyday life. 

However, some people also decide to take it as a supplement for its health benefits. Anise supplements come in a variety of forms, such as pills, extracts, oils, and sprays. Supplements are all taken differently and serve different purposes — for example, some oils can be used as a topical.

It’s important to check with either a nutritionist or a doctor, though, before taking any supplements. Similarly, if you believe you could have allergies or are taking blood thinners or contraceptives, you should check with a medical professional before taking anise.