anise (anisi fructus)

Complementary/Alternative Medicine: This monograph describes a natural or herbal product that is not subject to FDA guidelines for medicines. Patients and clinicians are advised to read package labels carefully to ensure safe and efficacious use.

REMS

PO: Dyspepsia, flatulence
Rhinorrhea
PO: Topical Lice, scabies, psoriasis

Action ⬆ ⬇

The anethole component of anise is similar in structure to catecholamines and is likely responsible for its therapeutic effects of decreasing bloating and indigestion and as an antispasmodic. May also have estrogenic and insecticidal effects.

Therapeutic effects:

Dyspepsia relief.

Pharmacokinetics ⬆ ⬇

Absorption: POUnknown; Topicalnot absorbed systemically.

Distribution: Unknown.

Metabolism/Excretion: Unknown.

Half-Life: Unknown.

Time/Action Profile ⬆ ⬇

ROUTE	ONSET	PEAK	DURATION
PO, Topical	unknown	unknown	unknown

Contraind./Precautions ⬆ ⬇

Contraindicated in:

Allergy to anise.

Use Cautiously in:

OB: Excessive use not recommended;
Hormone sensitive cancers/conditions (due to possible estrogenic effects).

Adv. Reactions/Side Effects ⬆ ⬇

Derm: pruritus (topical use)

GI: Nausea, vomiting(toxic amounts of essential oil)

Neuro: SEIZURES (TOXIC AMOUNTS OF ESSENTIAL OIL)

Misc: Allergic reactions

Interactions ⬆ ⬇

Natural-Drug Products:

Excessive doses may interfere with tamoxifen, oral contraceptives, and hormone replacement therapy.

Natural-Natural Products:

None known.

Route/Dosage ⬆ ⬇

PO (Adults ): 0.5–1 gram of dried seed or 0.05–0.2 mL of essential oil 3 times daily.

Availability ⬆ ⬇

Crude drug (seed) : ^OTC
Essential oil: ^OTC

Assessment ⬆ ⬇

Dyspepsia: Assess patient routinely for epigastric or abdominal pain and for frank or occult blood in stool, emesis, or gastric aspirate.
Lice, Scabies, Psoriasis: Assess scalp for presence of lice and their ova (nits) prior to and 7–10 days after application.

Toxicity and Overdose:

Nausea, vomiting, seizures and pulmonary edema have been reported with ingestion of small quantities (1–5 mL) of anise oil. Pseudo-Conn’s syndrome (hypermineralocorticism) has been associated with overdoses of anise oil. Treat supportively.

Implementation ⬆ ⬇

Store in a tightly sealed, light-resistant container at room temperature.
PO: Dilute anise oil in liquid prior to ingestion. Do not take anise oil undiluted.
Topical Apply to dry scalp and hair and leave on hair 15 minutes. Wash with shampoo and comb to remove lice and nits. Repeat once after 7–10 days.

Patient/Family Teaching ⬆ ⬇

Instruct patients not to ingest pure anise oil except under the supervision of a health care provider because of the risk of toxicity.
Caution patients that anise oil should only be taken for temporary relief of epigastric symptoms, and that chronic use of this agent is not recommended. Toxicity has been noted with chronic, long-term use.
Inform patients that studies have not confirmed any therapeutic effects in humans for this herbal remedy.
Advise patients with persistent symptoms (e.g., cough, epigastric pain) to seek the advice of their health care provider and not to continue to self-medicate for a prolonged period of time (more than a week). Counsel patients with a productive cough accompanied by a fever to seek treatment from their health care provider before self-medicating with anise oil.
Inform patients that epigastric pain accompanied by blood in the stool, black, tarry stools or other changes in bowel habits may indicate more serious health problems and to consult health care professional prior to self-medicating with anise oil.

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Pronunciation ⬇

Classifications ⬆ ⬇

Indications ⬆ ⬇