Phytotherapy

Anise

Pimpinella anisum

Mechanism

Anise fruits contain essential oil with trans-anethole as the dominant constituent. Traditionally they are used carminatively for flatulence as well as as an expectorant for productive cough; the EMA/HMPC lists both applications as traditionally established. For horses there are EFSA assessments of anise oil and anise tincture as a feed additive (sensory/flavouring use). Clinical equine efficacy studies on respiratory or digestive endpoints are, however, lacking.

Cautions

· Essential oils (anethole) dose-dependently irritant — dose moderately
· Use with restraint during pregnancy/lactation due to lack of data (anethole discussed as hormone-like)
· With persistent cough have respiratory diagnostics (equine asthma) clarified by a vet
· In sport horses do a competition/withdrawal check, as it is essential-oil-containing

Sources

EMA/HMPC Anisi fructus/aetheroleumEMA/HMPC — Anis-Monographie (Pimpinella anisum L., fructus et aetheroleum)

ESCOPESCOP Monographie Anisi fructus

EFSA FEEDAP 2023EFSA — Anisöl/Anis-Tinktur als Futtermittelzusatzstoff (u. a. Pferde), FEEDAP-Gutachten

Equiterna Score

56/100

solid

Science4.5/10

Practical experience6/10

Safety6.6/10

Overall score scale

high overall75–100solid55–74limited0–54

How the Equiterna Score is built

The Equiterna Score combines three dimensions into a value of 0-100: science (40%), practical experience (30%) and safety (30%). It is transparently derived from evidence level, attributed sources (PubMed/journals), legal classification and cautions. The FEI doping status is shown separately as a competition-law note and does not enter the score. Commissions and vendor relationships have no influence on the score. In addition, the editorial safety rating caps the result: it limits the safety dimension and the overall tier (orange: at most solid). For entries rated red, no score is calculated at all. The rating never raises anything — a green rating does not lift a calculated value.

An editorial assessment of the evidence and safety situation — not a healing claim and not an individual recommendation. It does not replace veterinary advice.

Dosageapprox. 10–25 g crushed fruits/animal/day (large horse); use essential oil only strongly diluted

AMG statusComplementary feed

FEI statusNot listed

SafetyWith caution

Evidenceemerging

Frequently asked questions

Is Anise a feed or a veterinary medicine for horses?

Equiterna classes Anise as “Complementary feed”. Legal framework: Regulation (EU) 2019/6 / TAMG (DE/AT), Feed Regulation (EC) 767/2009.

Is Anise allowed at FEI competitions?

In the profile, Anise is listed with the FEI status “Not listed”. The current FEI list is authoritative, so please check its latest version.

Which dosage do the sources give for Anise?

Stated in the profile: approx. 10–25 g crushed fruits/animal/day (large horse); use essential oil only strongly diluted. This is information from the literature, not an instruction for an individual horse.

Which sources are there for Anise?

The profile cites: EMA/HMPC Anisi fructus/aetheroleum, ESCOP, and EFSA FEEDAP 2023.

Usage note

This content is for information and education. It does not replace veterinary diagnosis or treatment. If your horse shows signs of illness, consult a veterinarian.

“Nothing forced can ever be beautiful.”

Xenophon · On Horsemanship (c. 365 BC)

Equiterna is an intermediary platform for equine knowledge, marketplace and tools — not a veterinary-medicines dealer, veterinary practice or pharmacy. Compound information is source-attributed (PubMed, specialist journals, NRC/GfE, EU regulations) and free of healing claims. Legal framework: Regulation (EU) 2019/6 / TAMG (DE/AT), Feed Regulation (EC) 767/2009, FEI Prohibited Substances List, HWG.

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