Anise

Flatulence, with colicky pain.

Clinical Notes. Traditionally used in Iranian medicine as carminative, galactagogue, diuretic clinical trials support use in menopausal hot flashes, dysmenorrhea, diabetes (hypoglycemic), constipation

Action and Therapy. Anise is an agreeable stimulating carminative employed principally for the relief of nausea, flatulency, and the flatulent colic of infants. Anise imparts its odor to the milk of nursing mothers. It is an ingredient of Paregoric (Camphorated Tincture of Opium), and is largely used to impart to or correct flavor in medicinal preparations, especially cough mixtures. For infants the infusion is the best preparation and it should not be sweetened. The spirit (1/2 to 1 fluidrachm) given in hot water is more agreeable and effective for older children and adults. The oil (1 to 5 drops) on sugar may be used by the latter, if desired.

Properties and Uses. The oil is one of the most pleasant and sweet of the aromatics, nearly a pure relaxant, and valued for its carminative and nervine influence in flatulent colic, both of children and adults. Few carminatives are so reliable; and it is equally excellent to prevent the griping of stimulating cathartics, and to cover the taste of bitter and nauseating medicines.

Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage. Both the seeds and oil of star-anise possess the stimulant, diuretic, carminative, and slightly anodyne properties of anise. Locally applied and internally administered, they have been used for abdominal pains, particularly when associated with flatus, and in bronchitis, and locally alone in earache and rheumatic complaints. The dose of the powder is from 10 to 20 grains; of the oil, from 1 to 10 drops. Oil of star-anise is largely employed to impart a flavor to spirits, especially in France, Germany and Italy.