Origin. - A volatile oil distilled from anise or from the fruit of Star anise, Illicium verum.

Description and Properties. - A colorless or pale-yellow, thin and strongly refractive liquid, having the characteristic odor of anise, and a sweetish, mildly aromatic taste: neutral in reaction. It contains a stearopten anethol, C10H12O, and a methyl chavicol, C10H12O, upon which its properties in large part depend.

Oil of anise should be kept in well-stoppered bottles, protected from light, and if it has separated into a liquid and a solid portion, it should be completely liquefied by warming before being dispensed.

Dose. - 1-5 minims (0.06-0.3 Cc.) [3 minims (0.2 Cc.), U. S. P.].

Official Preparations

Aqua Anisi - Aquae Anisi - Anise Water. - Dose, 1/4-1 fluidounce (8.0-30.0 Cc.) [2 drams (16 Cc), U. S. P.].

Spiritus Anisi - Spiritus Anisi - Spirit of Anise. - Dose, 1-2 fluidrams (4.0-8.0 Cc.) [I dram (4 Cc), U. S. P.].

Oil of anise is contained in the following preparations:

Spiritus Auratntii Compositus; Syrupus Sarsaparillae Compositus; Tinc-tiira Opii Camphorata; Trochlsci Glycyrrhizae et Opii.

Physiological Action. - Anise is slightly antiseptic, stimulant, and carminative; oil of anise is irritant if applied in full strength to mucous membranes, stimulating both the digestive and circulatory apparatus, improving the appetite, and slightly strengthening and accelerating the heart's action. In very large doses it possesses mildly narcotic properties. It is excreted in the urine, sweat, and by the bronchial mucous membrane, the secretion from which it liquefies.

Therapeutics. - Anise is employed to relieve flatulence in children, as a sedative expectorant, and as a vehicle to flavor medicines.