Aniseed is a soothing, aromatic, carminative, similar to fennel, used to settle the stomach and help expel trapped gas (2). It works well to ease intestinal griping, colic, indigestion (dyspepsia), bloating, trapped wind and flatulence (3, 4). The aromatic taste can also help to freshen the breath and improve halitosis (bad breath) (5). 

Aniseed is antispasmodic and will help a spasmodic cough, bronchial asthma and whooping cough (6). The mucolytic and expectorant actions help to thin mucus and break up catarrh so it can be more easily expelled from the lungs (2, 4). Aniseed is also antimicrobial, so combined with the other actions on the lungs it works well to prevent infections from developing in the lung tissue (3). 

Aniseed can be taken to increase milk secretion and support lactation (6, 7).

Safety note: See section on safety before taking aniseed during pregnancy or lactation. 

The pleasant-tasting, licorice-like seeds can be added as flavour to foods such as breads, cakes, biscuits, soups and pickles (1). When incorporated into food, the seeds add flavour and act as a digestive aid and breath freshener (5). Many alcoholic drinks which are considered an “aperitif” contain anise, such as Pernod, Ouzo and Anisette (5). 

Aniseed is sweet and pungent, warm, and dry (2, 5). Wood described aniseed as warm and moist, and suited to tissue states that are atrophic and cold (4). An atrophic tissue state refers to a dryness and lack of fluids or oils in a tissue (4). This impairs the functioning of the body as there is a difficulty absorbing nutrients or removing waste. An indication for an atrophic tissue state would be dry skin, nervousness, restlessness, constipation, gas and bloating (4). Cold and dry tissues require the nourishment, relaxation, movement, warmth and oils, which can all be provided by aniseed. Interestingly, aniseed can be drying where there is excessive mucus in the lungs and digestive tract, yet bring moisture and function back to very dry tissues.

Aniseed has been used in England since the 14th century (8). It was used as a spice in cakes, cordials and liqueurs to be consumed at the end of a meal to prevent indigestion (8). 

In 1898 King’s American Dispensary listed aniseed as a stimulant carminative, to be used for flatulence, flatulent colic in infants, and nausea (9). It was also recommended as an addition to other medicines to improve flavour and prevent griping and intestinal side effects (9). Aniseed was listed as a carminative in the British Pharmaceutical Codex (BPC) in 1911, recommended to physicians to be added as an ingredient in cathartic formulas to counteract any discomfort and griping caused by purgative herbs (10). Grieve supports the reputation as a carminative for flatulence, colic and griping, recommending an infusion in water or 4–20 drops of essential oil on sugar (8). It was also used for hiccups, headaches, and the seeds chewed as a breath freshener (11). 

The BPC also listed it as an ingredient for cough mixtures due to the expectorant action (9). It was used for bronchial catarrh, pertussis (whooping cough), spasmodic cough, persistent cough, tracheitis and bronchitis (12). Grieve reports the value as a medicine for hard, dry coughs, that are difficult to expectorate. For lung conditions it was used in the form of lozenges, as well as the seeds being smoked to promote expectoration (8). A liqueur flavoured with aniseed was given for bronchitis and spasmodic asthma to soothe the bronchial tubes (8). Aniseed is still a commonly used traditional medicine for the treatment of respiratory ailments in Egypt (13).   

Aniseed was traditionally used as an abortifacient (2). This is likely due to the mild oestrogenic action, stimulating the uterus (2). This oestrogenic effect also explains its use in folk medicine to increase libido, facilitate birth, and increase milk secretion during lactation (3). It has a long tradition globally as a galactagogue to support lactation (14, 15).

Additionally, aniseed has reported uses in traditional medicine as an analgesic for migraine headaches, as a diuretic, for melancholy, for nightmares, and to treat epilepsy and seizures (1).

Topically, aniseed was used for pediculosis (head lice) and scabies (12).

Digestive system

The carminative and antispasmodic actions of aniseed make this herb suited to most dyspeptic conditions including colic, stomach cramps, bloating, belching, nausea and flatulence (4, 16). Clinical trials have shown that aniseed powder is effective for the treatment of functional dyspepsia (17), and this can significantly improve quality of life of these patients (18). Aniseed can alleviate symptoms of IBS, including abdominal discomfort or pain, bloating, diarrhoea, constipation severity, difficulty in defecation, gastroesophageal reflux, headache, tiredness, and improve QOL (19, 20).

For digestive symptoms of bloating, nausea, uncomfortable trapped wind, flatulence and low appetite, aniseed mixes well with fennel and caraway seed (3). Aniseed is also effective and safe for colic in young children and babies (4). The essential oil components are responsible for the carminative and antispasmodic action, and also the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties which can further support digestive health (21). 

For the treatment of nausea, aniseed combines well with fennel seed, chamomile, and peppermint (22). Halitosis (bad breath) can stem from digestive weakness, or stagnation in the intestines where tension is inhibiting movement (4). Aniseed can support this by both sweetening the breath, and relaxing tension in the intestines to allow movement to return. For digestive stagnation and bilious nausea, aniseed combines well with dandelion root or artichoke leaf. 

Respiratory system

Aniseed can be used when there is excessive mucus in the lungs causing a wet or boggy cough (3). Aniseed is a warming expectorant which is indicated when the lungs are congested, cold and damp (4). Aniseed also directly increases the mucociliary transport of mucus out of the lungs (3). When the mucus is stuck and difficult to cough up, the mucolytic and expectorant actions help to thin mucus so it can be more easily expelled from the lungs (2). The antispasmodic action also makes aniseed suited to a dry, persistent or spasmodic cough, such as occurs with whooping cough or asthma (11). The antimicrobial properties make aniseed an excellent herb for cases of acute and chronic bronchitis (6). For bronchitis, it combines well with coltsfoot, white horehound and lobelia (3). 

Reproductive system

Aniseed has a galactagogue action and was used as a traditional medicine to increase milk production and stimulate milk flow (25). Recently, a large-scale global survey identified aniseed as one of the most commonly used herbs during lactation, along with fennel, fenugreek and shatavari (15). This action and a positive effect on milk production has been demonstrated in animal research (25) and in a human clinical trial (7). One of the primary constituents, anethole, is structurally similar to dopamine and competitively antagonises the dopamine receptor site (7, 25). This removes the inhibitory effect of dopamine on prolactin release, and stimulates milk production (25). Increased milk secretion can prevent colic in the baby, as well as delivering the aniseed through the breast milk to further support the digestion of the baby (4). 

Aniseed is an effective herb to reduce the frequency and severity of hot flushes during the menopause transition (26), and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in menstruating females (27). When combined with other ingredients such as celery seed and saffron, aniseed can improve menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea) and symptoms in cases of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) (24). Isolated constituents from the volatile oils in aniseed have demonstrated oestrogenic effects in laboratory assays (28). It is the combined effects on prolactin secretion, the mild oestrogenic action and the antispasmodic action which contribute to the mechanism for the increased lactation, improved menstrual dysregulation, and mitigation of menopausal hot flashes (2, 24). 

External uses

The volatile oils in aniseed have anti-bacterial, insecticidal and antifungal activity (22) and an oil extract can be used to treat pediculosis (head lice) or scabies (3, 12). The essential oil can be added to a carrier oil and applied directly to the skin or scalp. The extracted essential oil is analgesic, and can be used in topical applications where pain mitigation is required (22). 

Digestive system

Ghoshegir and colleagues (2015) conducted a double blind, randomised clinical trial to assess the effect of aniseed on symptoms of postprandial distress in patients with functional dyspepsia (17). For a duration of four weeks, 107 patients randomly received either aniseed powder after meals (3 g, three times per day) or a placebo. Overall symptoms (including gastric discomfort, bloating, belching, fullness, pain) significantly improved in the aniseed group at weeks 2 and 4, and this improvement was maintained at the 12-week follow up. This was significantly different to the placebo group, where overall symptoms progressively worsened over the 12 weeks (17). The same group of patients reported a significant increase in all components of a quality of life (QOL) scale (including physical functioning, pain, mental health and general health) when taking the aniseed powder (18). Overall QOL significantly decreased in the placebo group, demonstrating the efficacy of aniseed powder in improving QOL in patients with functional dyspepsia (18). 

A double-blind, parallel group clinical trial of 120 patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) compared aniseed oil capsules (600 mg per day) to a commercially available treatment (Colpermin, 187 mg) and a placebo (19). The 200 mg capsules were taken three times per day, after each meal, for a duration of four weeks. The improvement in symptoms in the aniseed group was significantly greater than the other conditions, with 75% of patients free from symptoms, and only 52% and 35% for the Colpermin and placebo groups, respectively (19). The greatest improvement occurred in the symptoms of reflux, abdominal pain, and bloating, and was maintained at the two-week follow up after the treatment ended. The same group of participants experienced a significant decrease in symptoms of depression when taking the aniseed, compared to the other two conditions (23). 

A recent randomised, placebo-controlled trial, published in 2024 investigated the efficacy and safety of aniseed powder for treating gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with COVID-19 (20). In the treatment group, 45 patients took 50 g aniseed powder per day (25 g, twice per day), compared to 180 patients taking a placebo, for two weeks. Compared to the placebo group, the aniseed treatment significantly improved symptoms of abdominal pain, loss of appetite and diarrhoea, but not flatulence or nausea. The authors concluded that aniseed may directly inhibit the viral replication and reduce the COVID-19 pathological process with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and hepatoprotective actions, reducing any associated gut dysbiosis (20).

Female reproductive system

A study in 2021 reviewed the research exploring the efficacy of aniseed for female disorders, and identified five clinical trials. The study concluded that aniseed is effective in treatment of postpartum pain, menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea), PCOS, hot flash during menopause and improved lactation (24). The majority of the studies used aniseed combined with other ingredients, though aniseed did make up a large proportion (75%) of the formulas. 

Lactation

Khalili et al. (2023) conducted a human clinical trial to investigate the effect of aniseed on lactation and weight gain in preterm infants (7). Three parallel groups of participants consumed either aniseed tea (6 g per day), black tea placebo, or no intake control, for seven days. With the exception of day two, the aniseed tea resulted in a significantly greater daily volume of milk production than the placebo or control groups. There was an increase in milk production in all groups from day 1–7, but the magnitude of the increase was far greater in the aniseed group compared to the placebo or control (131 ml, 38 ml, and 42 ml, respectively). No adverse side effects were reported in the study, and it was concluded that aniseed is a safe and effective herbal tea to increase lactation, and support weight gain in preterm infants (7). 

Using an animal model, both a water and alcohol extract of aniseed (0.5 and 1 g/kg) significantly increased milk production and infant weight gain in rats (25). The study demonstrated a therapeutic effect at these doses, and also that high doses (3–5 g/kg) had low toxicity, and low risk to suckling infants (25).

PMS

A randomised double-blind controlled clinical trial of 68 menstruating females with PMS explored the effect of aniseed capsules on symptoms (27). Either 330 mg of aniseed or a placebo capsule was consumed for two consecutive menstrual cycles. The authors conclude that aniseed was effective at significantly decreasing symptoms of PMS. However, the results should be interpreted with caution, since closer inspection of the data shows there was also a significant decrease in symptoms in the placebo group (27). 

Menopause

A clinical trial of 72 postmenopausal women compared the effect of aniseed capsules (300 mg, three times per day) to a placebo control group (26). The frequency and severity of hot flashes were assessed at baseline and after four weeks. In the aniseed group, the frequency of hot flashes significantly decreased, with no difference in the placebo group. The severity of the hot flashes significantly decreased by 75% in the aniseed group when compared to the placebo group (26). 

Aniseed is a key ingredient in liqueurs such as Pernod, Pastis, Ouzo, and Sambuca, which are traditionally consumed after meals as a “digestif” to support digestion.

Aniseed is native to Turkey, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Cyprus, and Egypt (31). It has been introduced across southern and eastern Europe, India, North Africa, Central and South America, and China (31).

It is an annual and grows primarily in countries with a warm temperature biome (31). It is cultivated in English gardens but the seeds only ripen during hot summers (8).

Habitat loss and over-harvesting from the wild are two of the biggest threats faced by medicinal plant species. There are an increasing number of well-known herbal medicines at risk of extinction. We must, therefore, ensure that we source our medicines with sustainability in mind.

The herb supplement industry is growing at a rapid rate and until recent years a vast majority of medicinal plant produce in global trade was of unknown origin. There are some very real and urgent issues surrounding sustainability in the herb industry. These include environmental factors that affect the medicinal viability of herbs, the safety of the habitats that they are taken from, as well as the welfare of workers in the trade.

The botanical supply chain efforts for improved visibility (transparency and traceability) into verifiably sustainable production sites around the world are now certificated through the emergence of credible international voluntary sustainability standards (VSS). 

Read our article on Herbal quality and safety: What to know before you buy and Sustainable sourcing of herbs to learn more about what to look for and questions to ask suppliers about sustainability.

Aniseed is not listed on CITES (32), is unranked by Nature serve (33), and is not listed by United Plant Savers (34) nor IUCN (35).

Aniseed has no status ranking by Nature Serve, it does not appear on the U.S. Endangered Species Act (33), it is not listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) (35), and it is not on the United Plant Savers “Species at-risk” list (34).

Herbal medicines are often very safe to take, however, it is important to buy herbal medicines from a reputed supplier. Sometimes herbs bought from disreputable sources are contaminated, adulterated or substituted with incorrect plant matter.

Some important markers for quality to look for would be to look for certified organic labelling, ensuring that the correct scientific/botanical name is used and that suppliers can provide information about the source of ingredients used in the product.

A supplier should be able to tell you where the herbs have come from. There is more space for contamination and adulteration when the supply chain is unknown.

The plant only grows from seed, sown in spring, and will only mature to seed if the weather is warm enough (8, 11). It prefers dry, light soil in full sun (5). The seeds (fruit) are gathered from July–September, when ripe and dry (3, 11).

Aniseeds can be added to cakes, puddings, breads and biscuits.

Take a look at this delicious recipe for Italian Aniseed Bread.

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