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What is Anise Seed?
Anise seeds are seeds from the anise flowering herb native to the eastern Mediterranean region and Southwest Asia. It is in the same family as carrots, celery, and parsley. Most people may know anise seeds as a spice used in continental dishes, desserts, and beverages. But beyond adding flavor to your meals, they also offer health benefits to your body.
Anise seeds are used for various reasons, including serving as a natural remedy for a lot of health issues in women. One of them is easing menstrual cramps and managing menopausal symptoms. In this article, we will let you in on the different anise seed benefits and side effects, as well as the right dosage and supplement to take for your health.
Anise Seed Benefits
The following are some of the anise seed benefits you should know:
1. Eases Menopause Symptoms
Menopause happens when there is a decline in the reproductive hormones in women as they get older. During this period, the woman will experience symptoms such as dry skin, hot flashes, and tiredness. Luckily, anise seed for menopause is said to have estrogen-like effects, like some of the best supplements for menopausal symptoms.
In one four-week study, some women with menopausal hot flashes took a capsule containing anise seed at least three times daily. Those who took those capsules experienced up to a 75% reduction in the occurrence of hot flashes.
Another benefit to using anise seed for menopause symptoms is that it prevents bone loss in women. Bone loss is one of the major symptoms of menopause that gradually becomes more obvious when there is a change in your hormone levels. One study showed that an essential oil containing anethole, the active ingredient in anise seed, helps to prevent bone loss or osteoporosis in rats.
Despite these conclusions, science requires we conduct more research to determine how anise seed can ease menopausal symptoms in women.
2. Reduces Inflammation
Inflammation is a normal response of your immune system to protect the body from infections after an injury. However, when there is long-term inflammation, you could experience chronic conditions like diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.
Studies with anise seeds suggest that they may reduce inflammation to prevent disease and promote better health. Some research showed that anise seed contains antioxidants that reduce inflammation and prevent disease from oxidative damage.
3. Protects Against Stomach Ulcers
Stomach ulcers are essentially painful sores that form on the walls of your stomach, causing vomiting and a burning sensation in your chest. Even though there are medications and traditional solutions to slow the production of stomach acid, research suggests that anise seed can ease stomach ulcer symptoms.
One animal study noted that the use of anise reduced stomach acid secretion, protecting stomach cells from damage.
4. Reduces the Symptoms of Menopausal Depression
Depression in menopausal women is not uncommon. About 25% of menopausal women are reported to experience depression and depressive episodes. But a far more interesting fact is that one of the benefits of anise seed is to treat depression.
Anise seed extract has an effective antidepressant property that helps to treat depression in women, according to one study. Another study conducted with up to 100 people showed that frequently taking anise seed powder helped to ease symptoms of postpartum depression.
5. Prevents the Growth of Fungi and Bacteria
Anethole, the active ingredient in anise seed, is known to stop fungi and bacteria growth. However, this claim requires more research to determine how anise seed can affect the growth of fungi and bacteria in humans.
Some test-tube studies showed that anise seed extract possesses strong antimicrobial properties that fight against infections and stop fungi and bacteria from growing. Others showed that anise seeds and anise essential oil were effective in preventing strains of fungi that could cause skin disease.
6. May Reduce Blood Sugar Levels
A study showed that anethole reduces blood sugar by changing levels of certain key enzymes. Anethole also works to improve the function of insulin-producing pancreatic cells in your body. If you want to control your blood sugar, you may benefit from including anise seeds into your diet.
7. Rich in Nutrients
Anise seeds are rich in iron, which is good for the production of blood cells. These seeds also contain a small amount of manganese that acts as an antioxidant, which your body needs for development and metabolism.
A tablespoon of anise seeds provides calories (23 g), protein (1 g), fat (1 g), carbs (3 g), fiber (1 gram), and iron. People typically use anise seed in small amounts. However, the amount of anise seeds in some recipes may be less than a tablespoon.
Possible Side Effects of Anise Seed
Just like many other natural products and medications, anise seeds also have side effects. For some people, anise seed extracts will cause an allergic reaction, especially if they are allergic to plants in the same family as anise.
Some of the symptoms of a severe allergic reaction to anise include itchiness, rash, and breathing difficulties.
Anise seed’s estrogenic properties could also worsen symptoms of hormone-sensitive conditions like breast cancer. To be on the safe side, it is best to speak to your doctor if you have a history of these conditions. A consultation will point you in the right health direction.
Dosage and Supplements
A lot of people may not know, but anise seeds are also available in oil, powder, and juice forms. Each of these forms can add a unique flavor to baked goods and improve the fragrance of your body soap and cream.
Note that they also contain different concentrations of anise, so you may want to tweak your recipe to something that suits your taste. Most recipes require a few teaspoons, which is 4 to 13 grams or 5 to 15 mL of anise seeds. If you want to use anise seeds for medicinal uses, 600 mg to 9 grams of the extract in a day is effective for treating conditions like depression.
Precautions to Take
A doctor may advise you against using anise seeds if you are a child, over the age of 65 years old, pregnant, breastfeeding, diabetic, or diagnosed with breast cancer. This is important because children and the elderly may develop side effects or possible toxicity if they ingest anise seed extract.
Additionally, endocrine hormone therapy is used after breast cancer surgery to prevent it from coming back. However, since anise seeds have some estrogen-like effects, they can interfere with endocrine therapy. If you are considering anise for your child or any adult around you, speak with a healthcare provider for the best dosage.
How to Store Anise
It’s normal for storage instructions to differ for various natural products, including anise seed extracts packed in a container. For this reason, you need to carefully read the directions and labels on the container. Ensure the container is tightly closed and out of the reach of children or pets.
Another place to store anise is in a cool and dry place, and discard it as indicated on the container. Visit the FDA’s official website to know where and how to discard bottles with unused or expired medicines.
What Happens If I Take Too Much Anise
A lot of things could go wrong when you overdose on a product. You could experience possible symptoms of toxicity, such as:
- High blood sugar
- Breathing problems from an allergic reaction
- Abnormal hormone changes
- Nausea and seizures
- Excessive bleeding or blood clotting problem.
Always reach out to a medical professional if you are experiencing or suspect having any of the side effects above.
Who Should Take Anise?
A lot of people use anise seeds for various reasons, but it is important to know that it is not suitable for everyone. Women use anise to improve milk flow when breastfeeding and in treating symptoms of menopause. No matter who, the need to speak with your doctor when you want to take anise seeds is important.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to various studies, one of the benefits of anise seed is that it eases menstrual pain and menopause symptoms like hot flashes and osteoporosis. You can also try some of the best supplements for menopause hot flashes under your doctor’s recommendation.
Anise seed extract works to control the balance of your physical and sexual hormones, especially estrogen in women.
Anise is a natural herb with properties that help to treat adverse effects during your period. This includes the pain, vomiting, and headaches.
