Benefits of Anise as an Alternative Herbal Medicine
Anise is a herb sometimes used for medicinal purposes. It is also used to flavour foods and beverages, the seeds of the plant have long been consumed to help with digestive issues. Taking anise as an alternative herbal medicine in supplement form is said to help with the following health conditions.
• asthma
• constipation
• cough
• diabetes
• gas
• insomnia
• menopausal symptoms
• menstrual pain
• neurological disorders (such as epilepsy)
• upset stomach
Anise is also said to stimulate the appetite, increase the flow of milk in lactating women, promote menstruation, and enhance libido. When applied topically (i.e., directly to the skin), anise extract is thought to aid in the treatment of conditions like lice and psoriasis.
Benefits of Anise
Research on the health effects of anise is fairly limited, but some studies suggest that the herb shows promise in treatment of certain health conditions. Here's a look at several findings on the potential health benefits of anise extract:
1) Menstrual Pain
A combination of anise extract, saffron, and celery seed may help alleviate menstrual pain, according to a study published in the Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health in 2009. For the study, 180 female students (ages 18 to 27) were split into three groups: one group received the anise/saffron/celery seed mixture, one group received mefenamic acid (a type of anti-inflammatory drug), and one group received a placebo. Starting from the onset of their menstrual bleeding or pain, each group took their assigned treatment three times a day for three days.
After following the participants for two to three menstrual cycles, the study's authors found that those assigned to the anise/saffron/celery seed combination experienced a significantly greater reduction in menstrual pain, compared to those assigned to the other two treatments.
2) Hot Flashes
In a study published in the Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research in 2012, researchers found that anise may help relieve hot flashes in women undergoing menopause. The study included 72 postmenopausal women, each of whom took either anise extract or potato starch in capsule form daily for four weeks. Compared to the control group, those treated with anise extract had a significantly greater reduction in the frequency and severity of their hot flashes.
3) Constipation
Taking a combination of anise, fennel, elderberry, and senna may help ease constipation, suggests a small study published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine in 2010. In a clinical trial that included 20 patients with chronic constipation, researchers found that the anise-containing herbal combination was significantly more effective than placebo in increasing the number of evacuations per day. The trial involved a five-day treatment period, with the study's authors noting that the herbal combination may help fight constipation by producing a laxative effect.
Safety
Because anise may have estrogen-like effects, there's some concern that it may be harmful to people with hormone-sensitive conditions (such as hormone-dependent cancers, endometriosis, and uterine fibroids).
Alternatives to Anise
Several natural remedies may also help treat digestive troubles and serve as an alternative to anise extract. For example, there's some evidence that remedies like probiotics and aloe may provide constipation relief.
To relieve menstrual cramps, consider using such herbs as red raspberry leaf and ginger. Increasing your intake of omega-3 fatty acids may also help lessen menstrual pain. For help in taming hot flashes, natural substances like and black cohosh may be helpful. In addition, exercising regularly may help soothe menopausal symptoms.
• asthma
• constipation
• cough
• diabetes
• gas
• insomnia
• menopausal symptoms
• menstrual pain
• neurological disorders (such as epilepsy)
• upset stomach
Anise is also said to stimulate the appetite, increase the flow of milk in lactating women, promote menstruation, and enhance libido. When applied topically (i.e., directly to the skin), anise extract is thought to aid in the treatment of conditions like lice and psoriasis.
Benefits of Anise
Research on the health effects of anise is fairly limited, but some studies suggest that the herb shows promise in treatment of certain health conditions. Here's a look at several findings on the potential health benefits of anise extract:
1) Menstrual Pain
A combination of anise extract, saffron, and celery seed may help alleviate menstrual pain, according to a study published in the Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health in 2009. For the study, 180 female students (ages 18 to 27) were split into three groups: one group received the anise/saffron/celery seed mixture, one group received mefenamic acid (a type of anti-inflammatory drug), and one group received a placebo. Starting from the onset of their menstrual bleeding or pain, each group took their assigned treatment three times a day for three days.
After following the participants for two to three menstrual cycles, the study's authors found that those assigned to the anise/saffron/celery seed combination experienced a significantly greater reduction in menstrual pain, compared to those assigned to the other two treatments.
2) Hot Flashes
In a study published in the Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research in 2012, researchers found that anise may help relieve hot flashes in women undergoing menopause. The study included 72 postmenopausal women, each of whom took either anise extract or potato starch in capsule form daily for four weeks. Compared to the control group, those treated with anise extract had a significantly greater reduction in the frequency and severity of their hot flashes.
3) Constipation
Taking a combination of anise, fennel, elderberry, and senna may help ease constipation, suggests a small study published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine in 2010. In a clinical trial that included 20 patients with chronic constipation, researchers found that the anise-containing herbal combination was significantly more effective than placebo in increasing the number of evacuations per day. The trial involved a five-day treatment period, with the study's authors noting that the herbal combination may help fight constipation by producing a laxative effect.
Safety
Because anise may have estrogen-like effects, there's some concern that it may be harmful to people with hormone-sensitive conditions (such as hormone-dependent cancers, endometriosis, and uterine fibroids).
Alternatives to Anise
Several natural remedies may also help treat digestive troubles and serve as an alternative to anise extract. For example, there's some evidence that remedies like probiotics and aloe may provide constipation relief.
To relieve menstrual cramps, consider using such herbs as red raspberry leaf and ginger. Increasing your intake of omega-3 fatty acids may also help lessen menstrual pain. For help in taming hot flashes, natural substances like and black cohosh may be helpful. In addition, exercising regularly may help soothe menopausal symptoms.
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