Pimpinella anisum (Anise)

Per 100g dried anise seeds: Energy ~337 kcal; Protein ~17.6g; Fat ~15.9g (rich in oleic, linoleic, and palmitic fatty acids); Carbohydrates ~50g; Dietary fiber ~14.6g. Key minerals: Calcium ~646mg, Iron ~36.9mg, Magnesium ~170mg, Phosphorus ~440mg, Potassium ~1441mg, Zinc ~5.3mg, Manganese ~2.3mg, Copper ~0.91mg. Vitamins: Vitamin C ~21mg, Thiamin (B1) ~0.34mg, Riboflavin (B2) ~0.29mg, Niacin (B3) ~3.06mg, Pyridoxine (B6) ~0.65mg, Folate ~10µg, Vitamin A ~311 IU. Primary bioactive compound is the essential oil (1.5–6% of seed weight), composed predominantly of trans-anethole (80–95% of essential oil), which is responsible for the characteristic flavor and most pharmacological effects including spasmolytic, carminative, and estrogenic-like activity. Other notable essential oil constituents: estragole (methyl chavicol, 1–5%), anisaldehyde (0.1–2%), γ-himachalene, and p-anisaldehyde. Additional bioactive compounds include coumarins (scopoletin, umbelliferone, umbelliprenin), flavonoids (quercetin, apigenin, luteolin glycosides, vitexin, isovitexin, isoorientin ~0.2–1.5% total flavonoids), phenolic acids (chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid), and lignans. Trans-anethole bioavailability is relatively high due to its lipophilicity; it is rapidly absorbed in the GI tract, metabolized hepatically to 4-methoxyhippuric acid and excreted renally. Iron content is high but predominantly non-heme with moderate bioavailability (~5–12%) that is enhanced by the co-present vitamin C. The calcium content is notable for a spice but practical intake per serving (typically 1–5g) provides modest absolute amounts. Typical therapeutic dosing in clinical trials uses 1.5–9g powdered seed daily or 0.5–3mL essential oil equivalent, delivering approximately 15–270mg trans-anethole per dose depending on formulation.