Evidence supporting the use of: Pimpinella
For the health condition: Insomnia
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Pimpinella, commonly known as anise or aniseed (Pimpinella anisum), has a longstanding history of use in traditional and folk medicine, particularly in Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. The seeds and extracts have been used for various ailments, including digestive discomfort, cough, and, less commonly, as a mild sedative to support sleep. Historical texts and ethnobotanical surveys occasionally reference anise as an ingredient in calming teas or remedies for insomnia due to its purported soothing and anxiolytic effects.
However, there is a distinct lack of robust scientific evidence to validate these traditional claims. Modern pharmacological studies addressing the sedative or hypnotic properties of Pimpinella anisum are extremely limited, and systematic reviews do not support its use as a primary treatment for insomnia. The limited traditional evidence likely stems from its mild aromatic and calming properties rather than any direct effect on sleep architecture or neurotransmitters associated with sleep regulation. Thus, while its use is grounded in tradition, the strength of evidence supporting its efficacy for insomnia is weak, meriting a low evidence rating.
Other ingredients used for Insomnia
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)Agarwood
Agastache
Agrimonia pilosa
Albizia
Alpha lactalbumin
alpha-terpineol
amber
amino acids
anamu
anemarrhena asphodeloides
Anemone
Angelica
anise
apigenin
Aralia
Arani
ashwagandha
aster root
atractylone
Baikal Skullcap
balsam
banyan
bayleaf
benegut perilla (proprietary)
betony
big quaking grass
black cumin
black seed
blackboard tree
blackthorn
Borassus aethiopum
borassus palm
brahmi
Bupleurum
cactus
calamus
calcium
Calea zacatechichi
California poppy
cannabidiol
cannabinol
Capitate Valerian
carry me seed
Carthamus
cassia bark
catnip
Centella asiatica
Centella triterpenes
chamomile
cherimoya
cherry
Chinese salvia root
Chinese silkvine
chrysanthemum
cinnamon
citron
Clary sage
Clerodendrum indicum
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Coptis chinensis
corktree
Corydalis
cowslip
Cyathula
Cymbopogon martini
David\'s milkberry
Doxylamine succinate
dragonhead
elephant\'s head
elk antler
Embelia
Erodium cicutarium
European Elder
fennel
Ficus religiosa
Ficus simplicissima
Flueggea suffruticosa
frankincense
fringed pink
GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid)
ganoderma
Gardenia jasminoides
Gelsemium
geraniol
giant blazingstar
Glycine
goji berry
gooseberry
gotu kola
Greek mountain tea
heartwood
Homalomena
honeybush
hops
Indian frankincense
jasmine
Jatamansi
Jatoba
jujube
jujubosides
kava
kavalactones
kiwi
kudzu
Kukicha
L-tryptophan
labrador tea
lactium casein decapeptide
Lactucarium
Lady of the Night
Large-leaved linden
lavender
lemon balm
Lesser speargrass
Lilium polyphyllum
lily
linalool
linden
Lindera
lingzhi
little ironweed
longan
loquat
Loranthus
lotus
lotus seed
lupulinum
Lycium
maca
Macaranga indica
mace
magnesium
magnolia
magnolol
mallow
Marine lipid
Marjoram
Matapalo Tree
Melatonin
Mesua
Microtea debilis
Milk Protein
Mimosa
Moringa
Morning glory
Morus
Motherwort
Mulungu
Myrcene
Nardostachys
Night jessamine
Nymphaea caerulea
Nymphaea nouchali
Onosma bracteatum
Ophiopogon
ophiopogon root
orange
orchid
Oroxylum indicum
Osmanthus
Osthole
paeoniflorin
passionflower
Passionfruit
Patchouli oil
peach
perilla
Persimmon
phlorotannins
phytocannabinoids
Pimpinella
pollen
Polygala
polygala root
Polygonatum
Polygonum
polysaccharides
poppy
Portulaca
Premna
Pulsatilla
purslane
quail egg
Rauvolfia
reishi mushroom
rice
Rooibos
rose
rose oil
Rubiaceae
rue
saffron
Safranal
sage
Salvia
Sandalwood
Sarivan
Schisandrins
Scoparia dulcis
scrophularia root
Sedanenolide
Self-Heal
Semecarpus anacardium
Sensitive Plant
Shankhpushpi
silk tree
skullcap
soursop
Southernwood
Speedwell
Spikenard
Stachytarpheta cayennensis
Sumac
Sumbul
Sweet Annie
Sweet Bay
Sweet Orange alcohol
Sweet Woodruff
Sword Bean
Szechuan lovage
Tagara
Terminalia
Tetrahydropalmatine
Valerenic acid
Valerian root
Verbena
Vervain
Vetiver
vitamin B6
Walnut
Waterhyssop
Wax Gourd
Winter Begonia
Winter Savory
Withanolides
Wood betony
Yellow-Fruit Nightshade
Ylang ylang
Yuzu
Zinc
Other health conditions supported by Pimpinella
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Appetite (deficient)
Asthma
Belching
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cuts
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dyspepsia
Edema
Epilepsy
Fever
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Headache (tension)
Indigestion
Inflammation
Insomnia
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Jaundice (adults)
Nausea and Vomiting
Pain (general remedies for)
PMS (general)
Rashes and Hives
Sinus Infection
Sore Throat
Ulcers
Wounds and Sores
