664. Anise

Nomenclature

Aniseed.

Description and references

Dried ripe fruit of Pimpinella anisum L., Umbelliferae. Habit. Western Asia, Egypt; cultivated in Southern Europe, India and U.S. Constit. Coumarins including scopoletin, umbelliferone; flavonol and flavone glycosides; 2-6% volatile oil, 50% carbohydrate, 16% lipids, β-amyrin, stigmasterol. Description and uses: J. Barnes et al., Herbal Medicines (Pharmaceutical Press, London, 2nd Ed., 2002) pp 51-54.

Derivative

Volatile oil.

Nomenclature

CAS number: 8007-70-3
Aniseed oil; oil of anise.

Description and references

Constit. 80-95% trans-anethole, estragole (methylchavicol), anise ketone, β-caryophyllene, anisaldehyde.

Properties

Colorless or pale yellow, refractive liquid. d2525 0.978-0.988. Solidif pt not below 15°. αD +1 to 1°. nD20 1.553-1.560. Slightly sol in water; sol in about 3 vols alcohol, freely in chloroform, ether. Keep cool in well-closed and well-filled containers, protected from light.

Use

Pharmaceutic aid (flavor). As condiment and flavor in foods or beverages; in manuf of liqueurs.

Therapeutic Category

Carminative; expectorant.