Pimpinella anisum (Anise)

Family: Umbelliferae

Habitat/Botanical Description: Native to Egypt and W. Asia but cultivated throughout the world. The stem is about one foot in height, erect, smooth, slightly branched. The are various, lower ones cordate and cuneate, loved middle one pinnate-lobed, upper ones trifid. It has long stalked umbels and small white flowers. The fruit is compressed and oval, striate with five ridges. The seeds are fragrant.

Part Used: Dried fruits

Active Constituents:

Carbohydrates, coumarins, fatty acids, flavonoid glycosides, lipids, phenylpropanoids, proteins, sterols, volatile oil

Medicinal Actions:

Anti-microbial, anti-spasmodic, aromatic, carminative, expectorant, galactagogue, phytoestrogen (dianethole, photoanethole), sedative (mild)

Medicinal Use:

1) Pimpinella is an anti-spasmodic to smooth muscle and a good expectorant indicated for treatment of spasmodic, irritable cough. It stimulates cilial function that aids in expectoration.

2) It is also an extremely effective carminative to treat nausea, colic and gas and bloating after meals. Pimpinella is one of the sweetest of the volatile oils.

3) It has a calming effect, so is useful in patients who are agitated and anxious.

4) It may also be added to formulas to mask bitter herbs. It is a mild phytoestrogen, similar to Foeniculum.

5) It is often combined with Lavendula and used topically, in essential oil form,

6) to treat lice and scabies.

Has cerebellar feed back

Contraindications: None

Toxicity: None

Drug Interactions: None

Pharmacy:

Infusion: 1 – 2 tsp. crushed seeds/cup TID

Tincture (1:5): 2 – 4 ml TID

Fluid Extract (1:1): 1 – 2 ml TID