Pimpinella anisum L. (Anise, Aniseed)

Abstract

Pimpinella anisum L. is an aromatic species of the Apiaceae (Parsley) family, commonly known as anise or aniseed. Fruits of the plant, which are also known as seeds, have widespread usage throughout the world for culinary and medicinal purposes, in cosmetics industry, and also is used in the flavoring of some alcoholic beverages, candies etc. Usage of the plant for medicinal purposes dates back to ancient Egypt and the plant is currently being used mainly for its digestive properties and hormonal activities such as increasing milk production in breast feeding mothers. The plant is sometimes confused with star anise, another species called Illicium verum Hook. f. from Schisandraceae family due to the fact that they both have trans-anethole within the composition of their volatile oils, though anise is an annual herbaceous plant and star anise is an evergreen tree. In this chapter composition, traditional usages, biological activities and some issues related to the utilization of this world-renowned plant are focused on.

Keywords: Pimpinella anisum, anise, aniseed, Apiaceae, Parsley family, volatile oil, anethole.

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