Carminative anise

The aromatic, warm, and sweetish odor and taste of the seed, leaves, and stem arises from the presence of a volatile oil that contains anethole p-propenyl phenylmethyl ether, C3H5C6H4OCH3), the derivatives of which (anisole and anisaldehyde) are used in food flavoring, particularly bakery, liqueur, and candy products, as well as ingredients for perfumes. For commercial production of anise oil, the seeds and the dried, ripe fruit of the plant are used. Anise oil. a colorless to pale-yellow, strongly refractive liquid of characteristic odor and taste, is prepared by steam distillation of the seed and fruit. The oil contains choline, which finds use in medicine as a carminative and expectorant. 

Aniseed (Anise) Pimpinella anisurn (Umbelliferae/ Apiaceae) ripe fruit 2-3 anethole (80-90) estragole (1-6) flavour, carminative, aromatherapy... 

Flatulent patients may benefit from carminatives, substances which are held to assist expulsion of gas from the stomach and intestines. Examples are dimethicone, peppermint, dill, anise and other... 

Intermediate solutions Pharmaceutical solutions are used as intermediates for manufacturing other preparations. Aromatic water is used as a flavoring agent and peppermint and anise waters have some carminative properties. These are manufactured as concentrated waters and are diluted before use. Infusions are prepared by extracting the drug using 25% alcohol without heat. Extracts are similar to infusions, but are... 

In France, it is the custom before a meal to partake of an aperitif, usually an aniseed-flavoured spirit called pastis. Pastis (e.g. Ricard , Pernod ) when it comes out of the bottle is a clear, light brown coloured solution of volatile oils from the seeds of the anise plant (Pimpinella anisum), which impart the characteristic aniseed flavour to the drink, dissolved in approximately 40% v/v ethanol. When a pastis is drunk, it is mixed with water and ice, whereupon the liquid becomes cloudy. This happens because the anise oils are hydrophobic, non-polar liquids and not very water-soluble. They are only held in solution by the high alcohol content of the drink. When the alcohol is diluted with water, the oils come out of solution and form an emulsion of oil droplets in the aqueous phase. This is what gives the drink its cloudy appearance. Oral solutions of anise oils have been used pharmaceutically for their carminative action and as an aid to digestion for many years, although it seems to this author preferable to consume anise oils in the form of a pastis, rather than in the form of a bottle of medicine. 

Both aniseed and star-anise are used as spices and for distillation of anise oil. Besides the main ingredient anethole, it contains a polymeric product, dianethole, with oestrogenic effects. Aniseed has been reputed to increase milk secretion, promote menstruation, facilitate childbirth and increase libido. Aniseed is reported to be expectorant, carminative and exert sympathomimetic-type effects. These effects are attributed to anethole. The expectorant effect of aniseed oil is experimentally verified by measuring the amount of secretion from an upper respiratory tract and measuring its viscosity. In therapeutic doses, anethole is reported to cause minimal hepatotoxicity. 

Like Aniseed, Fennel has a secretolytic, spasmolytic, carminative and antiseptic effect with the same use as anise. 

This is often attended by the ernctation of gas. Snbstances that prodnce these effects are known as carminatives. They are nsed to relieve intestinal flatnlence and distention, to lessen the spasms that canse colic, and as stimulants to the appetite. Those nsed for this pnrpose include camphor, cinnamon, fennel, peppermint, spearmint, wintergreen, bitter almond, and anise. 

Garzo Fernandez, C., P. Gomez Pintado, A. Barrasa Blanco, et al. 2002. Cases of neurological symptoms associated with star anise consumption used as a carminative. An. Esp. Pediatr. 57(4) 290-294. 

Synonyms Aniseed Anise fruit Anise seed Pimpinella anisum Definition Pimpineiia anisum Properties Sweet, soft, mild flavor Toxicoiogy Can cause contact dermatitis Storage Protect from light Uses Natural flavoring agent in foods and pharmaceuticals carminative, mild expectorant... 

Both anise and Chinese star anise oils are used as carminatives, stimulants, mild spasmolytics, weak antibacterials, and expectorants in... 

Traditional Medicine. Anise and Chinese star anise have been used as aromatic carminatives, stimulants, and expectorants also as estrogenic agents to increase milk secretion, promote menstruation, facilitate child birth, increase libido, and alleviate symptoms of male climacteric. Chinese star anise has been used in Chinese medicine for similar purposes for 1300 years (jiangsu). Anise has also been used as an appetizer, diuretic, tranquillizer, antiseptic, laxative, and as a treatment for epilepsy and seizures. ... 

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