Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Anise (Pimpinella anisum) has a long history of use in traditional medicine, particularly in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean regions, for various women's health issues, including amenorrhea (the absence of menstrual periods). Traditional herbalists have used anise seeds as a galactagogue and as an emmenagogue—an agent believed to stimulate or regulate menstrual flow. The rationale behind its use is primarily based on the observation that anise contains phytoestrogens (specifically, anethole), which are plant-derived compounds with estrogen-like activity. Estrogen is a key hormone involved in regulating the menstrual cycle, so herbs with purported estrogenic effects have often been recommended in folk medicine for menstrual irregularities.

However, scientific evidence directly supporting the effectiveness of anise for treating amenorrhea is minimal. A few animal studies have shown that extracts of anise may have estrogenic effects, but robust clinical trials in humans are lacking. Most references to its use come from ethnobotanical literature or traditional herbal compendia rather than from scientific research. Thus, while there is a tradition of using anise for this purpose, the evidence base is weak, and it should not be relied upon as a sole treatment for amenorrhea without consulting a healthcare professional.

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