Anisi fructus

Anisi fructus, the anise fruits, are the official components of Pimpinella anisum, the anise plant. The plant belongs to the Umbellifereae family. Aniseed is widely used in liqueurs. Confectionery, baked goods, puddings.

Quality is defined in the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.).
HMPC monograph: Traditional-use: Mild cramp-like gastrointestinal complaints, flatulence, flatulence; expectorant for coughs due to colds
ESCOP monograph: Dyspeptic complaints, mild cramp-like gastrointestinal complaints, flatulence, flatulence; mild inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, expectorant
Commission E monograph: Internal: Dyspeptic complaints; Internal and external: Catarrh of the respiratory tract

Active ingredients: 2-6% essential oil with the main components trans-anethole, 10-30% fatty oil, flavonoids, anisaldehyde, sugar, protein.

Antimicrobial, antiviral (demonstrated in experimental studies in herpes simplex virus type 1), antihelmintic, expectorant, spasmolytic, experimental: antitumoral. Increase salivary and gastric juice secretion.

Aromatic (essential oil drug)

Indications (according to commission E): dyspeptic complaints, catarrhal respiratory complaints (internal and external applications)

Internal: average TD of the crushed and ground (the essential oils are in the fruit in special secretion spaces, so the fruit must be crushed to open these secretion spaces) fresh drug is 3.0g; ED 1.0g 3 times daily; preparation of 1.0g of drug as tea infusion with 150ml of hot water.

Alternatively 10-12 tr. (0,3g) of essential oil

External: essential oil 5-10% dissolved in olive or peanut oil

occasional allergic reactions to skin, respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract.

Allergies to ingredients of the drug (see also spice allergy).

Pregnancy and lactation, children and adolescents under 18 years due to lack of data.

Remark: The allergological significance of anise extracts is to be regarded as low. There are a few publications on type I allergies, including anaphylactic events, especially in spice allergy sufferers.

The fixed combination primrose root+marshmallow root+anise consists of:

• Primula radix (Primrose root)
• Althaeae radix (marshmallow root)
• Anisi fructus (Aniseed)

has a slightly antispasmodic, soothing, antibacterial and secretolytic effect. In addition, it inhibits mucociliary activity, has expectorant effects and is used for a mild catarrh of the upper respiratory tract and for a dry irritable cough.

Antiviscosin® Tea N, Dr. Klinger's Bergischer Herbal Tea (nerve and calming tea), ratiopharm® balsam for colds, Fugacid® Bronchial Tea, Helago-Oel®, Heumann Bronchial Tea Solubifix®N, Hevert Cough Bronchial Tea, Hevert Majocarmin Tea, Kamillosan® Mouth Spray N, Neo-Ballistol®, Orbis® Cough and Bronchial Tea, Ramend® Instant Laxative, Repha-Os® Mouth Spray, Rheumex® Tea, Salviathymol® Drops, Four Winds Tea

Combined preparations: anise oil+eucalyptus oil+peppermint oil (Bronchoforton® capsules: 1-1-1)

Note: not to be used in children <12 years of age; due to lack of data, use during pregnancy and lactation is recommended only after consultation with the doctor. The application period should not exceed 2 weeks without medical advice.

Anisi aetherolicum, the anise oil is obtained from the ripe fruit of P. anisum and star anise by steam distillation. There is no Commission monograph on Anisi aetherolicum.

1. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/anis.php
2. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-community-herbal-monograph-pimpinella-anisum-l-aetheroleum_en.pdf
3. Wenigmann M. (2017) Phytotherapy medicinal drugs, phytopharmaceuticals, application. Urban & Fischer, p.69.70