Pimpinella refers to a genus of plants in the Apiaceae family, which includes species such as Pimpinella anisum (anise) and Pimpinella saxifraga (burnet saxifrage). The use of Pimpinella species for insomnia is primarily based on traditional herbal medicine practices rather than scientific validation. In particular, Pimpinella anisum (anise) has a documented history in folk medicine, where its seeds and extracts have been used for their purported calming and mild sedative properties. Traditional systems such as Unani, Ayurveda, and European folk medicine have sometimes recommended anise preparations for sleep disturbances or to promote relaxation.

However, the scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of Pimpinella (regardless of species) for insomnia is minimal. Peer-reviewed studies directly investigating the sedative or hypnotic effects of Pimpinella species are scarce, and existing research tends to focus on other properties such as digestive or antimicrobial effects. The limited studies that have assessed the sedative effects of anise or related species are preliminary and do not provide robust clinical data to recommend its use for insomnia. In summary, the use of Pimpinella for insomnia relies mostly on traditional use, with little to no high-quality scientific evidence to support its effectiveness for this condition.