Overview

Anise (Pimpinella anisum) is one of the oldest known spice plants. It grows in the Mediterranean, Spain, West Asia, Mexico, Egypt, and the Middle East.

Anise contains chemicals that might have estrogen-like effects, decrease swelling, and help fight off insects.

People use anise for indigestion, constipation, migraine, menopausal symptoms, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Don't confuse anise with star anise. These are not the same.



Uses & Effectiveness

We currently have no information for Anise overview.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Anise and anise oil are commonly consumed in foods. Anise powder and oil are possibly safe when used as medicine for up to 4 weeks. It's usually well-tolerated, but it might cause allergic reactions in some people.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Anise and anise oil are commonly consumed in foods. Anise powder and oil are possibly safe when used as medicine for up to 4 weeks. It's usually well-tolerated, but it might cause allergic reactions in some people.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Anise is commonly consumed in foods. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if anise is safe to use in larger amounts as medicine while pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.

Children: Anise is commonly consumed in foods. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if anise is safe for children to use as medicine.

Allergies: Anise might cause allergic reactions in some people who are allergic to other plants that are similar to anise. Plants that are similar to anise include asparagus, caraway, celery, coriander, cumin, dill, and fennel.

Hormone-sensitive conditions: Anise might act like estrogen. If you have any condition that might be made worse by exposure to estrogen, don't use anise. This includes breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, and others.

Surgery: Anise might lower blood sugar levels. This might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop using anise at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Interactions

    Moderate Interaction

    Be cautious with this combination

  • Birth control pills (Contraceptive drugs) interacts with Anise

    Some birth control pills contain estrogen. Taking anise along with birth control pills might decrease the effects of birth control pills. If you take birth control pills along with anise, use an additional form of birth control such as a condom.

  • Estrogens interacts with Anise

    Large amounts of anise might have some of the same effects as estrogen. Taking anise along with estrogen pills might increase or decrease the effects of estrogen pills.

  • Tamoxifen (Nolvadex) interacts with Anise

    Tamoxifen is used to help treat and prevent estrogen-sensitive cancers. Anise seems to affect estrogen levels in the body. By affecting estrogen in the body, anise might decrease the effects of tamoxifen.

  • Codeine interacts with Anise

    Codeine is changed into morphine by the liver. Taking anise oil with codeine might increase the effects and side effects of codeine.

  • Diazepam (Valium) interacts with Anise

    The body breaks down diazepam to get rid of it. Taking anise oil with diazepam might slow down how quickly the body breaks down diazepam. This might increase the effects and side effects of diazepam.

  • Fluoxetine (Prozac) interacts with Anise

    Taking anise oil with fluoxetine might reduce how well fluoxetine works.

  • Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with Anise

    Anise might lower blood sugar levels. Taking anise along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.

  • Caffeine interacts with Anise

    Taking anise oil with caffeine might reduce the levels of caffeine in the blood. This might decrease the effects of caffeine.

  • Imipramine (Tofranil) interacts with Anise

    Taking anise oil with imipramine might reduce how well imipramine works.

  • Midazolam (Versed) interacts with Anise

    The body breaks down midazolam to get rid of it. Anise oil might slow down how quickly the body breaks down midazolam. This might increase the effects and side effects of midazolam.

    Minor Interaction

    Be watchful with this combination

  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) interacts with Anise

    Taking anise oil with acetaminophen might reduce the levels of acetaminophen in the blood. This might reduce how well acetaminophen works.

Dosing

Anise is commonly used as a spice in foods or as a tea.

As medicine, anise seed powder has most often been used by adults in doses of 5 grams by mouth daily for up to 2 months. Anise oil has most often been in doses of 200 mg by mouth three times daily for up to 4 weeks. Anise extract has most often been used in doses of 110-330 mg by mouth daily for up to 4 weeks. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what type of product and dose might be best for a specific condition.
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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
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