Pimpinella anisum L. is an aromatic species of the Apiaceae (Parsley)
family, commonly known as anise or aniseed. Fruits of the plant, which are also known
as seeds, have widespread usage throughout the world for culinary and medicinal
purposes, in cosmetics industry, and also is used in the flavoring of some alcoholic
beverages, candies etc. Usage of the plant for medicinal purposes dates back to ancient
Egypt and the plant is currently being used mainly for its digestive properties and
hormonal activities such as increasing milk production in breast feeding mothers. The
plant is sometimes confused with star anise, another species called Illicium verum
Hook. f. from Schisandraceae family due to the fact that they both have trans-anethole
within the composition of their volatile oils, though anise is an annual herbaceous plant
and star anise is an evergreen tree. In this chapter composition, traditional usages,
biological activities and some issues related to the utilization of this world-renowned
plant are focused on.
Keywords: Pimpinella anisum, anise, aniseed, Apiaceae, Parsley family, volatile oil, anethole.