Anise

Pimpinella anisum

Spices. Middle Eastern & Unani and Western & European.

Also called Aniseed, Yansoon

Spanish: Anís

Seeds with a licorice flavor, used in baking, liqueurs and teas for gas and cough.

Did you know? Anise flavors drinks like ouzo and turns cloudy when water is added, because its oil separates into tiny droplets.

What it may help, and how strong the proof is

Breathing & asthma. Traditionally used for cough and bronchitis. Anise oil has shown some effects in lab studies, but human trials are few.
Traditional proof
Digestion & gut health. Used for bloating and gas in tradition. Human studies are small and few.
Traditional proof

Parts of the body

Lungs, Gut & intestines, Stomach

Traditional use

Greek, Roman and Middle Eastern healers used anise for cough, gas and breast milk. Anise tea is still a common folk remedy for colic.

How it is classified

Herbal actions: Carminative, Expectorant, Galactagogue. Energy: warming.

How people take it

Use seeds in baking, cookies and bread, or steep crushed seeds as tea. Essential oil is used in small amounts as a food flavoring.

Food, tea and essential oil.

Where to get it

Grown in Egypt, Turkey, Spain and Mexico. Buy whole seeds in spice shops. Do not confuse anise with star anise, a different plant whose unsafe forms can cause seizures.

Be careful

Safe in food amounts. Anise oil is strong and should not be taken in large amounts, especially by young children. Rare allergies can occur in people sensitive to plants in the carrot family.

Mixing with other things

Works well together
Often mixed in traditional breastfeeding teas.
Works well together
Both are sweet, licorice-flavored seeds used in teas and cookies.
Works well together
Common in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean spice blends.
Works well together
Similar seed flavors and digestive uses in traditional blends.

The honest take

Anise is a flavorful food with a long history, and it has some traditional and small-study support for gas and cough. Human proof is limited. Do not confuse it with star anise, which is a separate plant with safety issues.