Botanical Name: | Pimpinella anisum |
Common name: | Saunf, fennel seeds, |
Plant family: | Apiaceae |
Genus: | Pimpinella |
Appearance/Color: | Colorless to Pale yellow liquid with Licorice odor. |
Odor: | Distinctive scent of licorice, Rich and Sweet. |
Blends With: | Rose, Orange,
Lavender, Spicy Essential oils |
Origin | Egypt |
Source | Seeds |
Method of
Extraction | Steam Distillation |
It is a native of Egypt, Greece,
Crete and Asia Minor and was cultivated by the ancient Egyptians. It was well
known to the Greeks, being mentioned by Dioscorides and Pliny and was
cultivated in Tuscany in Roman times. In the Middle Ages its cultivation spread
to Central Europe.
Anise fruit yields on distillation
from 2.5 to 3.5 per cent. of a fragrant, syrupy, volatile oil, of
which anethol, present to about 90 per cent., is the principal aromatic
constituent. It has a strong Anise odour and separates in the form of shining
white crystalline scales on cooling the oil. Other constituents of the fruit
are a fixed oil, choline, sugar and mucilage.
Intended Benefits/Uses
or Properties
Aniseed is native to the Middle
East and the Romans used it in little cakes that they ate at the end of their
banquets. Aniseed is traditionally used with vegetables that can be
indigestible such as cabbage, onion, cucumber, carrot, turnip and beetroot.. Aniseed
is used to flavour many alcoholic drinks such as Pernod, Greek ouzo and
mastikha, anesone from Italy and the French drink, pastis. Apart from that it
have several pharmaceutical and ayurvedic properties. In India, it is widely
used in Pickels since ancient times.
Aniseed Oil in Pharma
Anise enjoys considerable
reputation as a medicine in coughs and pectoral affections. In hard, dry coughs
where expectoration is difficult, it is of much value. It is greatly used in
the form of lozenges and the seeds have also been used for smoking, to promote
expectoration.
The volatile oil, mixed with
spirits of wine forms the liqueur Anisette, which has a beneficial action on
the bronchial tubes, and for bronchitis and spasmodic asthma, Anisette, if
administered in hot water, is an immediate palliative.
Essence of Aniseed Oil
The flavor and aroma of
its seeds have similarities with some other spices, such as
star anise, fennel, and liquorice. Anise oil is a good antiseptic and is
used, mixed with oil of Peppermint or Gaultheria (Wintergreen) to flavour
aromatic liquid dentrifrices.
COMMON USAGE
·
Anti-epileptic & Anti-hysteric Effect
·
Antiseptic
·
Antirheumatic
·
Antispasmodic
·
Aperient
·
Carminative
·
Cordial
·
Decongestant
·
Aids In Digestion
·
Treats Respiratory Disorders
·
Insecticide
·
Sedative
· Stimulant
TECHNICAL
ANALYSIS
TOXICOLOGICAL
INFORMATION
Safety Summary
·
Hazardous: Drug interaction; potentially
carcinogenic, based on estragole content; reproductive hormone modulation; may
inhibit blood clotting.
·
Contraindications (all routes): Pregnancy,
breastfeeding, endometriosis, estrogen-dependant cancers, children under 5
years of Age.
·
Caution (Oral): Diabetes medication,
anticoagulant medication, major surgery, peptic ulcer, hemophilia, other
bleeding disorders.
·
Maximum Dermal Use Level: 0.2% (IFRA)
Organ Specific Effects
·
Adverse Skin Reactions: Not known but (E)-Anethole
is prone to oxidation and its oxidation products may be skin sensitizing.
·
Cardiovascular Effects: (E)-Anethole inhibits
platelet aggregation, an essential step in the blood clotting cascade.
·
Reproductive Toxicity: (E)-Anethole is
estrogenic in invitro yeast assays and fennel tea has shown invivo estrogenic
effects in humans.
·
Hepatotoxicity: Not Found
Systemic Effects
·
Acute Toxicity:
o
ORAL (LD50): Acute: 2250 mg/kg [Rat]
o
DERMAL (LD50): Acute: 5000 mg/kg [Rabbit]
·
Subcute & Subchronic Toxicity: Skin: May
cause skin irritation. Eyes: May cause eye irritation. Ingestion: May cause
gastrointestinal tract irritation. Inhalation: Inhalation of mist or vapor may
cause respiratory tract irritation.
·
Carcinogenic: Not Classified
ECOLOGICAL
INFORMATION
·
Ecotoxicity: Not available
·
Products of Biodegradation: Possibly hazardous
short term degradation products are not likely. However, long term degradation
products may arise.
·
Toxicity of the Products of Biodegradation: Not
available