Aniseed plant

Pimpinella anisum the anise plant is a plant of the genus Pimpinella in the umbelliferae family (Apiaceae). The anise plant is used as a spice and medicinal plant (in Germany medicinal plant of the year 2014), was originally native to the eastern Mediterranean but is now cultivated in almost all zones of the world with temperate climate.
The anise plant grows as an annual herbaceous plant, with 1-3cm long roundish leaves and reaches a growth height of 10 to 60 cm. The white flowers bloom from June to September. The brown fruits have a length of 3-5cm and ripen from August to September.
The dry, ripe 2-part split fruits (anise - Anisi fructus) are used phytotherapeutically. The officinal components are used for dyspeptic complaints and catarrhal complaints of the respiratory tract.
The allergological significance of the anise plant is to be regarded as low. There are few publications on type I allergies, including anaphylactic events.

1. García-González JJ et al. (2002) Occupational rhinoconjunctivitis and food allergy because of aniseed sensitization. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 88:518-522.
2. Gázquez García V et al (2007) Aniseed-induced nocturnal tongue angioedema. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 17:406-408.
3. Stricker WE et al (1986) Food skin testing in patients with idiopathic anaphylaxis. J Allergy Clin Immunol 77:516-519.
4. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/index.php?en_pflanzen=55