Karimzadeh F, Hosseini M, Mangeng D, et al. Anticonvulsant and neuroprotective effects of Pimpinella anisum in rat brain. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2012 Jun 18;12:76. doi:10.1186/1472-6882-12-76 Akhtar, A., Deshmukh, A. A., Bhonsle, A. V., et al. (2008). In vitro Antibacterial activity of Pimpinella anisum fruit extracts against some pathogenic bacteria. Veterinary World, 1(9), 272–274. The main use of anise in traditional European herbal medicine was for its carminative effect (reducing flatulence), [4] as noted by John Gerard in his Great Herball, an early encyclopedia of herbal medicine: Valerian: A few studies support valerian in relieving menopausal symptoms. But more high-quality studies with solid evidence are still necessary to assess valerian's effects better. Yazdani, D., Rezazadeh, S., Amin, G., Zainal Abidin, M. A., Shahnazi, S., & Jamalifar, H. (2009). Antifungal activity of dried extracts of anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) and star anise (Illicium verum Hook, f.) against dermatophyte and saprophyte fungi. Journal of Medicinal Plants, 8(5), 24–29.

In animal models and in vitro assays, a variety of potential mechanisms of action were examined to understand aniseed's and trans-anethole's purported anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetes, and anti-neurodegenerative effects. The number of potential mechanisms is many, and the involvement of specific biological processes in improving outcomes depends on the animal disease model under investigation. General examples of some of these actions include altering the tissue expression and circulating levels of cytokines and chemokines, as well as of enzyme catalysts and chemical inhibitors of oxidative stress. Administration of aniseed and its constituents can alter hormone homeostasis. Complex and dose-dependent effects on transcription factors and cell-signaling pathways that control numerous physiological processes also were reported. 5,81–84 Compared with animals, these processes in humans are generally unexplored. SAFETY Additionally, there have been case reports of severe, potentially fatal reactions to star anise in infants ( 16). Sousa, M. P., Matos, E. O., Matos, J. J. A., Machado, M. I. L., & Craveiro, A. A. (1991). Constituintes quimicos ativos de plantas medicinais Brasileiras. Edic¸oes UFC/Laborat ˜ orio de Produtos Naturais, Fort- ´ aleza.Besharati-Seidani, J., & A. & Yamini, Y. (2005). Headspace solvent microextraction: a very rapid method for identification of volatile components of Iranian Pimpinella anisum seed. Analytica Chimica Acta, 530(1), 155–161. 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.

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.At this time, most research on the antibacterial properties of star anise is limited to animal and test-tube studies. More studies are needed to better understand how this spice may be used to support human health. Summary Al-Bayati, F. A. (2008). Synergistic antibacterial activity between Thymus vulgaris and Pimpinella anisum essential oils and methanol extracts. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 116(3), 403–406. Abbreviations: CAT, catalase; FBG, fasting blood glucose; GSH, reduced glutathione; GST, glutathione-S-transferase; HDL, serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; LDL, serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; MDA, malondialdehyde; NE, no effect; QOL, quality of life; TC, serum total cholesterol; TG, serum triglycerides; wt, weight.

Stephens, J. M. (1997). Cooperative extension service, institute of food and agricultural sciences, University of Florida, Doc. HS 54,1Gainesville FL. 32611. Anise is used to flavor Greek ouzo and mastika; [23] Italian sambuca; [23] French absinthe, anisette, [24] and pastis; [25] Spanish anis de chinchón, [26] anís , [27] anísado [23] and Herbs de Majorca; [28] Turkish and Armenian rakı; [23] Lebanese, Egyptian, Syrian, Jordanian, Palestinian and Israeli arak; [23] and Algerian Anisette Cristal. [23] Outside the Mediterranean region, it is found in Colombian aguardiente [24] and Mexican Xtabentún. [29] These liquors are clear, but on addition of water become cloudy, a phenomenon known as the ouzo effect. [30] [31] National Center of Complementary and Integrative Health. 6 tips: irritable bowel syndrome and complementary health approaches.Shojaii A, Abdollahi Fard M. Review of pharmacological properties and chemical constituents of Pimpinella anisum. ISRN Pharm 2012;2012:510795. View abstract.