Anise for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

A 2016 study found that anise oil significantly improved symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) compared to placebo or peppermint oil over 4 weeks. Symptoms of IBS included abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation severity, gastroesophageal reflux, headache and quality of life. Anise may also help treat depression associated with IBS. Anise is an approved herb by the German Commission E. Some people may experience digestive or other side effects.

Mosaffa-Jahromi M, Lankarani KB, Pasalar M, Afsharypuor S, Tamaddon AM. Efficacy and safety of enteric coated capsules of anise oil to treat irritable bowel syndrome. J Ethnopharmacol. 2016 Dec 24;194:937-946. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2016.10.083. Epub 2016 Nov 1. PMID: 27815079.

Mosaffa-Jahromi M, Tamaddon AM, Afsharypuor S, Salehi A, Seradj SH, Pasalar M, Jafari P, Lankarani KB. Effectiveness of Anise Oil for Treatment of Mild to Moderate Depression in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Randomized Active and Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2017 Jan;22(1):41-46. doi: 10.1177/2156587216628374. Epub 2016 Feb 11. PMID: 26873392; PMCID: PMC5871202.