Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Anise (Pimpinella anisum) has a long history of traditional use in various cultures as a remedy for digestive complaints, including nausea and vomiting. Ancient Greek and Roman physicians recommended anise for gastrointestinal upsets, and it has been commonly used in traditional systems such as Ayurveda and Traditional Persian Medicine. Anise seeds contain volatile oils, primarily anethole, which are thought to have carminative (gas-relieving) and mild antiemetic properties. The aromatic nature of anise and its soothing effect on the digestive tract have made it a popular ingredient in herbal teas and preparations aimed at relieving nausea, indigestion, and colic.

From a scientific perspective, the evidence supporting anise’s efficacy in treating nausea and vomiting is limited and mainly comes from animal studies or in vitro experiments, which suggest potential antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory effects. Few clinical trials directly evaluate anise for these specific symptoms in humans. However, its inclusion in traditional remedies and positive anecdotal reports contribute to its continued use. While some herbal combination products containing anise have shown benefits for dyspepsia and mild gastrointestinal discomfort, it is difficult to isolate the effect of anise itself.

Overall, the use of anise for nausea and vomiting is primarily justified by tradition rather than robust scientific validation. More high-quality clinical studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness for this indication.

More about anise
More about Nausea and Vomiting

Other ingredients used for Nausea and Vomiting

Other health conditions supported by anise

Products containing anise