Pimpinella, a genus that includes species such as Pimpinella anisum (anise) and Pimpinella saxifraga (burnet saxifrage), has a traditional history of use in herbal medicine. Specifically, some species, most notably Pimpinella anisum, have been used in folk and traditional systems for respiratory conditions, including coughs, bronchitis, and sometimes symptoms that overlap with allergic rhinitis, such as runny nose and congestion. The rationale in traditional medicine is often based on the plant's reputed expectorant, anti-inflammatory, or soothing effects on the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.

However, there is very limited direct scientific evidence to support the use of Pimpinella species (unspecified or specifically) for allergic rhinitis. Most of the available literature and pharmacopoeias reference its use for general respiratory support rather than for allergic mechanisms or IgE-mediated conditions like allergic rhinitis. In vitro studies and animal models have shown some anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effects for Pimpinella extracts, but these do not directly address allergic rhinitis in humans. As such, the primary justification for its use in this context comes from traditional or empirical herbal practice, with weak or indirect evidence from modern scientific research.