Anise (aniseed): Flavor, Cooking Use and Health Facts
Anise (aniseed) is sweet with a clear licorice taste and is used in baking, sweets and drinks; research on digestion and IBS comes from small trials of anise oil, and it is not star anise.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
In the kitchen at a glance
Flavor:Licorice / aniseSweetWarm / woody
Aroma: Sweet and strongly licorice-like, a little like fennel.
Used in: baking, desserts, tea and drinks, soups and stews
Usual amount in food: About 1 teaspoon (2.1 g) of whole seed is the USDA household measure; we found no reliable source that sets a usual recipe amount.
What it is
Anise, also called aniseed, is Pimpinella anisum, a small annual herb of the carrot family. [1] It is native to the eastern Mediterranean and southwest Asia. [1] The spice is the small, curved fruit, usually called a seed, about 4 to 6 mm long. [1] It has been grown in Egypt for about 4,000 years, according to that article. [1]Do not mix it up with star anise (Illicium verum), a tree whose star-shaped pods share the same main flavor compound. [1] See star anise.
Flavor and aroma
Anise tastes sweet, with a clear licorice flavor. Anethole is the main flavor compound in its oil; one figure cited puts it at 80 to 90 percent of the oil. [1] Star anise has the same compound and is cheaper, so it has largely replaced anise in Western markets. [1] The taste is also close to fennel, licorice and tarragon. [1] Seeds hold about 2 to 7 percent essential oil. [1]We found no reliable source on how heat or grinding changes the flavor, so we make no claim here.
How it is used in cooking
Seeds are used whole or ground. [1]- Sweets and baking: aniseed balls, jelly beans, pizzelle, biscotti and pfeffernüsse. [1]
- Drinks: teas and infusions, Mexican atole de anís and champurrado, and spirits such as ouzo, sambuca, pastis, rakı and arak. [1] These clear drinks turn cloudy when water is added. [1]
- Savory food: Italian sausage and pepperoni, and brines in Apulia. [1] Fresh leaves go into cheese spreads, dips and salads. [1]
- After a meal: in India and Pakistan the seeds are taken as a digestive. [1]
The sources we read give no dependable rules on when to add it, toasting, or substitutes. A commercial spice-site guide suggests fennel seed as a milder swap, but the guides we saw disagree on amounts, so we give no ratio. Taste as you go. See fennel seed.
Normal food amounts
| Measure | Grams | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1 teaspoon, whole seed | 2.1 g | USDA [8] |
| 1 tablespoon, whole seed | 6.7 g | USDA [8] |
| Typical recipe amount | Not found | We opened no reliable source that states one |
What one teaspoon (2.1 g) of whole anise seed provides, calculated from USDA values per 100 g:
| Nutrient | One teaspoon |
|---|---|
| Energy | about 7 kcal |
| Fiber | about 0.3 g |
| Calcium | about 14 mg |
| Iron | about 0.8 mg |
| Potassium | about 30 mg |
| Magnesium | about 4 mg |
The USDA SR Legacy data are from 2018, and real products vary. [8] We did not compare these numbers with official daily values, so we do not call anise a "good source" of anything. A teaspoon is mostly flavor.
Buying, storing and preparing
- Forms: whole seed and ground seed. Anise extract and essential oil are also sold for flavoring and other uses. [1]
- Quality: Canadian rules ask for more than 0.2 mL of volatile oil per 100 g of the spice. [1] The sources we read give no other quality test.
- Shelf life and storage: the sources we read give no dependable figure. Heat and light usually fade spices, so a cool, dark, airtight place is sensible.
- Mix-ups: the sources we read describe no adulteration of the seed. The known mix-up is star anise tea, where Chinese star anise was contaminated with toxic Japanese star anise. [9]
Health: what research says
Eating anise in cooking is different from taking concentrated products such as anise oil capsules.Food amounts vs supplements
| In normal cooking | In supplements and extracts | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical amount | About 2.1 g per teaspoon (USDA); no usual recipe amount found [8] | Capsules of anise oil or powder; trials used three capsules a day for 4 weeks, or 330 mg a day around the period [3][5] |
| What studies mostly used | No trial of anise sprinkled on food was found | Anise oil capsules, in small Iranian trials [3][5][6] |
| What we can say about benefit | Nothing from trials; the EU accepts only traditional use for digestion [2] | Small single trials report effects, and none has been repeated in our sources [3][5][6] |
| Main safety limit | Allergy in sensitive people [9] | EU: adults and adolescents over 12, not more than two weeks; not recommended in pregnancy [2][9] |
What the evidence shows
| Use | What the sources found | Strength of evidence | Form and population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mild indigestion and bloating | The EU accepts aniseed for mild indigestion, bloating and gas on long-standing use only. [2] | Insufficient evidence | Herbal tea; adults and adolescents over 12 [2] |
| Functional dyspepsia | A 2023 Cochrane review of 41 trials listed Pimpinella anisum among herbs that may improve symptoms, from one study of 107 people (low certainty). [4] | Insufficient evidence | One study; adults [4] |
| Irritable bowel syndrome | A 2016 trial of 120 people found 75% symptom-free with enteric-coated anise oil capsules, versus 35% with placebo. [3] | Promising but limited | Anise oil capsules, 4 weeks; adults with IBS [3] |
| Depression in people with IBS | A 2017 trial of 120 people with mild to moderate depression and IBS reported better scores with anise oil than placebo. The mechanism is unknown. [6] | Promising but limited | Anise oil; adults with IBS [6] |
| Premenstrual symptoms | A 2020 trial of 67 students found lower symptom scores with anise capsules than placebo. [5] | Promising but limited | 330 mg a day for 10 days a cycle; ages 18 to 35 [5] |
| Anise in ordinary cooking | No study found | Insufficient evidence | Food amounts |
These are single, small trials, so they need repeating by others. Results from capsules do not show that anise in food has the same effect.
For supplement forms, trials and interactions in depth, see the full herb guide: Anise.
Official statements
- EMA (EU): the HMPC says aniseed medicines can be used for mild indigestion, bloating and gas, and as an expectorant, on long-standing use; adults and adolescents over 12, not more than two weeks. The monograph was first published in 2014 and is now under periodic review. [2]
Related pages
Health connections for Anise (aniseed)
What research links to this spice, and how strong the evidence is. Most studies use concentrated extracts or doses far above what you eat; each card says which.
Mild indigestion, bloating and gas (traditional tea use)
Not enough evidenceThe EU accepts aniseed for mild indigestion, bloating and gas on long-standing use only, for adults and adolescents over 12 and not more than two weeks.
Supplements: Traditional use only; no trial of food amounts found.
Irritable bowel syndrome symptoms (anise oil capsules)
Preliminary or mixedA 2016 three-arm trial of 120 people reported 75% symptom-free with enteric-coated anise oil capsules versus 35% with placebo; the authors asked for further studies.
Supplements: Finding is for enteric-coated oil capsules (4 weeks), single trial; not shown for food amounts.
Functional dyspepsia
Not enough evidenceA 2023 Cochrane review listed Pimpinella anisum among herbs that may improve symptoms versus placebo, from one study of 107 people (low certainty).
Supplements: One study; form not described in the abstract; not food amounts.
Depression symptoms in people with IBS (anise oil)
Preliminary or mixedA 2017 trial of 120 people with IBS and mild to moderate depression reported better scores with anise oil than placebo or an active control; the mechanism is unknown.
Supplements: Oil product, 4 weeks; single trial; not food amounts.
Premenstrual symptoms (capsules)
Preliminary or mixedA 2020 trial of 67 students aged 18 to 35 found lower symptom scores with 330 mg a day of anise capsules than starch placebo over two cycles.
Supplements: Capsules for 10 days per cycle; not food amounts.
Connected topics
Open a group to see how each topic connects and how strong the evidence is.
Health goals (1)
- Digestive SupportPreliminary or mixed
Traditional tea use for mild digestive complaints is recognised by the EU; trials are small and used anise oil capsules, not food.
Body systems (2)
- Digestive SystemPreliminary or mixed
The EU accepts aniseed for mild indigestion on traditional use; single trials of anise oil capsules in IBS were positive but small.
- Immune SystemDocumented risk
Allergy to anise, carrot-family plants or anethole is listed as a reason not to use medicinal anise.
Body parts (2)
- GutPreliminary or mixed
Traditional digestive use; one trial of anise oil capsules in IBS reported fewer symptoms than placebo.
- Immune SystemDocumented risk
Allergic reactions are possible in sensitive people, including cross-reaction with other carrot-family plants.
Functional actions (1)
- Digestive SupportPreliminary or mixed
Traditional use for bloating and gas; trial evidence is limited to single studies of oil capsules.
Conditions & symptoms (4)
- Food AllergyDocumented risk
Allergy to anise, carrot-family plants or anethole is a listed contraindication; cross-reactivity is described.
- Irritable Bowel SyndromePreliminary or mixed
One 2016 trial of enteric-coated anise oil capsules reported more people symptom-free than with placebo; single trial, oil product, not food.
- Depressive DisorderPreliminary or mixed
One 2017 trial in people with IBS and mild to moderate depression reported better scores with anise oil; abstract only.
- Premenstrual SyndromePreliminary or mixed
One 2020 trial of 67 students reported lower symptom scores with anise capsules than placebo.
Documented risks and interactions (4)
- Allergy to anise, carrot-family plants or anethole. The EU monograph, as summarized in our herb guide, lists hypersensitivity to anise, carrot-family plants and anethole as contraindications. A case report links anaphylaxis to star anise sensitization in celery-carrot-mugwort-spice syndrome.
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding and children. Safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding is not established and medicinal use is not recommended; use under 12 is not recommended.
- Star anise mix-up and infant tea. Star anise, a different plant, has caused nerve reactions in infants through tea contaminated with Japanese star anise. Anise seed itself is not described as the cause.
- Anethole genetic safety signal. Non-clinical studies showed a weak mutagenic potential of anethole, per the EU monograph as summarized in our herb guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is anise sweet?
Yes, it is sweet with a strong licorice flavor, similar to fennel. [1]
Is anise the same as star anise?
No. They are different plants that share the compound anethole. [1] Star anise tea has harmed infants, so keep them apart. [9]
How much is normal?
USDA lists 2.1 g per teaspoon of whole seed. [8] We found no reliable source for a usual recipe amount.
Is it safe in pregnancy?
In food, our sources describe no problem. For medicinal use, the EU says safety is not established and does not recommend it. [9] Ask your midwife or doctor.
Can I take it with medicines?
The EU monograph reports no interactions, but our sources are thin. [9] Ask a pharmacist before taking anise oil capsules.
Does anise help digestion?
The EU accepts a traditional use for mild indigestion. [2] Trial evidence is a few small studies of anise oil. [3][4] It is not a treatment.
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
Safety note at a glance
Safety in more detail
- Medicines: the EU monograph, as summarized in our herb guide, reports no interactions. [9] The sources we read do not describe others.
- Pregnancy: the EU says safety is not established and does not recommend medicinal use. [9] The sources we read do not describe harm from small amounts in food.
- Breastfeeding: safety is not established, and medicinal use is not recommended. [9]
- Children: the EU does not recommend medicinal use under 12. [2][9] Never give star anise tea to infants. [9]
- Allergy: the EU lists allergy to anise, to carrot-family plants and to anethole as reasons not to use it. [9] A case report describes anaphylaxis in a person sensitized to star anise and to the celery-carrot-mugwort-spice syndrome; we read only its title. [7]
- Liver and kidney: the sources we read do not describe these.
- Surgery: the sources we read do not describe a warning. Tell the surgical team about any supplement.
- Quality and contamination: the one documented problem is Japanese star anise in star anise supplies, not in anise seed. [9]
- Amounts that cause trouble: the sources we read give no food amount that causes harm. Non-clinical studies showed a weak mutagenic potential of anethole. [9] Do not swallow essential oil.
References
- Wikipedia — Anise. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anise (accessed 2026-10-24)
- EMA (EU) — Anisi fructus, herbal medicinal product page. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/anisi-fructus (accessed 2026-10-24)
- Efficacy and safety of enteric coated capsules of anise oil to treat irritable bowel syndrome. J Ethnopharmacol 2016; abstract read via Europe PMC. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27815079/ (accessed 2026-10-24)
- Non-Chinese herbal medicines for functional dyspepsia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2023; abstract read via Europe PMC. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37323050/ (accessed 2026-10-24)
- Could anise decrease the intensity of premenstrual syndrome symptoms in comparison to placebo? A double-blind randomized clinical trial. 2020; abstract read via Europe PMC. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32692701/ (accessed 2026-10-24)
- Effectiveness of anise oil for treatment of mild to moderate depression in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. 2017; abstract read via Europe PMC. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26873392/ (accessed 2026-10-24)
- Anaphylaxis after oseltamivir (Tamiflu) therapy in a patient with sensitization to star anise and celery-carrot-mugwort-spice syndrome. Allergy 2008; title only, no abstract available. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18186817/ (accessed 2026-10-24)
- USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy (April 2018) — Spices, anise seed (fdc_id 171316), per-100 g values and household portions from the site's USDA data file.
- alternativemed.com — Anise (herb guide), which summarizes the EMA/HMPC monograph (2013) and the Pediatrics 2004 star anise report. /herbs-botanicals/anise