Anise is a dainty, white-flowered urnbelliferous annual, about 18 inches high, with secondary feather-like leaflets of bright green, hence its name, Pimpinella, from dipinella, or twicepinnate, in allusion to the form of the leaves.

The seed is antiseptic, antispasmodic, aromatic, carminative, digestive, expectorant, pectoral, stimulant, stomachic, tonic, slightly diuretic, stimulates the secretion of gastric juices, antimicrobial and kills certain insects.

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8-methoxypsoralen and 5-methoxypsoralen (furocoumarins of fruit); anethole (essential fruit oil); alpha-pinene, alpha-terpineol, ascorbic acid, fatty oil, limonene, rutin, sugars, scopoletin and proteins (fruit); caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, eugenol, myristicin, (plant); imperatorin (leaf)

In the treatment of various respiratory problems. It is a sexual stimulant and increases the production of breast-milk. It is used the treatment of asthma, whooping couch, coughs and pectoral affections and digestive disorders such as wind, bloating, colic, nausea and indigestion. Externally it is used to treat infestations of lice and scabies. Anise warms the abdomen, dispels gas and is helpful for belching, vomiting, chronic diarrhea, abdominal pains, sluggish digestion and hernia. Star Anise is used as a sedative, especially for nervousness and to induce sleep.

Although many herbalists recommend anise as a remedy for morning sickness during pregnancy, it is not recommended for use during pregnancy. If your physician recommend against taking any birth control pills, avoid using anise as it has some estrogen activity. Estrogen may contribute to migraine headaches and abnormal blood clotting and promote the development of certain types of brain tumors.

Chandel et al., Biodiversity in Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in India.