Know2eat

Anise seed

Pimpinella anisum

What anise seed has been studied for

2 associations assessed — 1 with at least some human evidence behind it. Strongest first.

  • 1 Limited
  • 1 Insufficient
4 things to know first — allergies, interactions and intake limits

About anise seed

The small ridged fruit of a carrot-family plant, dominated by anethole, the compound that also gives fennel and star anise their liquorice note. Despite the shared flavour it is botanically unrelated to star anise. The USDA entry is per 100 g of seed; a teaspoon is about two grams.

Also known as anise, aniseed, anise seed, sweet cumin

Gut & Digestive HealthWomen's Health

The evidence in depth

Best supported: Limited

What each association actually rests on, and the papers behind it. A rating describes the state of the research, not how impressive the food is. How we rate evidence.

Digestive comfort

Gut & Digestive Health
Limited evidence

Anise appears as one component of multi-herb capsules and teas trialled for constipation, dyspepsia and irritable bowel symptoms, and some report improvement. Because it is almost never tested on its own, its individual contribution cannot be separated from the other herbs in the mixture.

Limited evidence. Early human work, or mostly lab and animal research.

1 source

Deep research mode adds each paper’s own conclusion and stated limitations.

Menopausal symptoms

Women's Health
Insufficient evidence

A small number of randomised trials, mostly conducted in Iran, report fewer and milder hot flushes with anise capsules over four to six weeks. The trials are small, short and use standardised extract capsules at a few hundred milligrams three times a day rather than seed used in cooking, and independent replication is thin.

What may be going on: Anethole shows weak oestrogen-receptor activity in laboratory assays, which is the proposed basis for the effect.

Insufficient evidence. Not enough human research to say anything useful yet.

No source is attached to this association yet, so it is rated insufficient by default. It is listed because people commonly ask about it — not because there is evidence for it.

Ask about Anise seed

Ask about Anise seed

Answers are written only from the entries on this page — the same nutrients, compounds, claims and citations you can read above. Nothing is added from outside the database, and every answer lists what it was built from.

AI explanations are not switched on for this site, so there is nothing to ask here. Everything above is read straight from the database and does not need them.

Key nutrients

Nutrient content per 100 grams
NutrientAmount% DV
Macronutrients
Calories337 kcal17%
Protein17.6 g35%
Total fat15.9 g20%
Carbohydrate50 g18%
Fibre14.6 g52%
Water9.54 g—
Fats
Saturated fat0.586 g3%
Monounsaturated fat9.78 g—
Polyunsaturated fat3.15 g—
Cholesterol0 mg0%
EPA (omega-3)0 g—
DHA (omega-3)0 g—
DPA (omega-3)0 g—
Linoleic acid (omega-6)3.15 g—
Vitamins
Vitamin A16 µg2%
Vitamin C21 mg23%
Vitamin D0 µg0%
Thiamin (B1)0.34 mg28%
Riboflavin (B2)0.29 mg22%
Niacin (B3)3.06 mg19%
Pantothenic acid (B5)0.797 mg16%
Vitamin B60.65 mg38%
Folate10 µg3%
Vitamin B120 µg0%
Minerals
Calcium646 mg50%
Iron37 mg205%
Magnesium170 mg40%
Phosphorus440 mg35%
Potassium1441 mg31%
Sodium16 mg1%
Zinc5.3 mg48%
Copper0.91 mg101%
Manganese2.3 mg100%
Selenium5 µg9%
Other measured compounds
Caffeine0 mg—
Ash6.95 g—

Nutrient values are per 100 g of the USDA reference entry named on this page and vary with variety, growing conditions, storage and preparation.

Source record: Spices, anise seed (USDA FoodData Central, FDC ID 171316).

% DV uses the FDA Daily Values for adults and children aged 4 and over. A dash means no Daily Value has been established for that nutrient.

Bioactive compounds

Compounds present in meaningful amounts. Presence is banded rather than quantified, because whole-food levels vary enormously with variety, growing conditions, storage and preparation.

How preparation changes things

Only effects with real support are listed. If a preparation method is missing, it is because nothing dependable is documented — not because it makes no difference.

  • crushedIncreases anethole release

    Whole anise seed passes through largely intact. Crushing or grinding it releases the volatile oil that carries both the flavour and whatever is being studied.

Things to know

Allergies, interactions and intake concerns. Every food gets this section — a reference where everything is uniformly good is not a reference.

  • Worth knowing

    Do not confuse aniseed with star anise infusions for infants

    Star anise is a different plant sold under a confusingly similar name, and Chinese star anise is regularly adulterated with Japanese star anise, which contains the neurotoxin anisatin. Infusions given to infants for colic have caused vomiting, jitteriness and seizures. Anise-flavoured teas should not be given to babies at all.

  • Allergy

    Carrot-family allergy and cross-reactivity

    Anise is an Apiaceae species. Allergic reactions including anaphylaxis are documented, typically in people also sensitised to celery, fennel, carrot, coriander or mugwort pollen.

  • Worth knowing

    Anethole has oestrogen-like activity at medicinal doses

    Anethole binds oestrogen receptors weakly in laboratory work, which is the stated rationale for the menopause trials. Concentrated anise capsules are therefore usually avoided in pregnancy and discussed with a clinician by anyone with an oestrogen-sensitive condition. A seed in a biscuit is not the same exposure.

  • Worth knowing

    Estragole content in the essential oil

    Anise oil contains estragole, which is genotoxic and carcinogenic in rodents at high doses, and European regulators limit it in flavourings. The limits concern concentrated oils rather than whole seed used in cooking.