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]

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

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]

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

OUTBREAK OF SALMONELLA AGONA
An outbreak of Salmonella Agona caused by aniseed-containing
herbal tea occurred from October 2002 through July 2003 among
infants in Germany. [1]

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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
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