Pimpinella anisum

Pimpinella anisum
Family:Pimpinella anisum; Antiseptic; Antispasmodic; Aromatic; Carminative; Digestive; Expectorant; Galactogogue; Pectoral; Stimulant; Stomachic; Tonic.
Common name:Aniseed
Aniseed has a delicious sweet liquorice-like flavour and is a commonly used and very safe herbal remedy that is well suited for all age groups from children to the elderly. However its use has declined in recent years with the advent of cheaper substitutes such as Illicium verrum and synthetic substances. It is a particularly useful tonic to the whole digestive system and its antispasmodic and expectorant effects make it of value in the treatment of various respiratory problems. The seed is the part used generally in the form of an extracted essential oil. The essential oil comprises 70 - 90% anethole which has an observed oestrogenic effect whilst the seed is also mildly oestrogenic. This effect may substantiate the herb's use as a stimulant of sexual drive and of breast-milk production. The essential oil should not be used internally unless under professional supervision whilst the seeds are best not used medicinally by pregnant women though normal culinary quantities are quite safe. The seed is antiseptic antispasmodic aromatic carminative digestive expectorant pectoral stimulant stomachic and tonic. It is of great value when taken internally in the treatment of asthma whooping couch coughs and pectoral affections as well as digestive disorders such as wind bloating colic nausea and indigestion. Externally it is used to treat infestations of lice scabies and as a chest rub in cases of bronchial disorders. A strong decoction of the seeds can be applied externally to swollen breasts or to stimulate the flow of milk.

Herbal Database

01.01.2005 05:04 []