Stomach ulcers, also called gastric ulcers, are a painful sore that forms in the lining of your stomach, causing symptoms like indigestion, nausea and a burning sensation in your chest.

Though traditional treatment typically involves the use of medications to decrease the production of stomach acid, preliminary research suggests that anise seed could help prevent stomach ulcers and reduce symptoms.

For instance, one animal study noted that anise reduced stomach acid secretion, helping prevent the formation of stomach ulcers and protecting cells against damage (8Trusted Source).

However, research on anise seed’s effects on stomach ulcers is still very limited.

Additional studies are needed to understand how it may impact ulcer formation and symptoms in humans.

SUMMARYThough research is extremely limited, anise seed reduced stomach acid secretion and protected against stomach ulcer formation in one animal study.

Test-tube studies show that anise seed and its compounds possess potent antimicrobial properties that prevent infections and block the growth of fungi and bacteria.

One test-tube study demonstrated that anise seed and anise essential oil were especially effective against certain strains of fungi, including yeasts and dermatophytes, a type of fungus that can cause skin disease (9Trusted Source).

Anethole, the active ingredient in anise seed, inhibits bacterial growth as well.

In one test-tube study, anethole blocked the growth of a specific strain of bacteria that causes cholera, an infection characterized by severe diarrhea and dehydration (10Trusted Source).

However, further research is needed to examine how anise seed may affect the growth of fungi and bacteria in humans.

SUMMARYTest-tube studies show that anise seed and its components may decrease the growth of certain strains of fungi and bacteria.

Menopause is the natural decline in women’s reproductive hormones during aging, resulting in symptoms like hot flashes, fatigue and dry skin.

Anise seed is thought to mimic the effects of estrogen in your body, potentially reducing symptoms of menopause (11Trusted Source).

In one four-week study, 72 women with hot flashes took either a placebo or a capsule containing 330 mg of anise seed three times daily. Those taking anise experienced a nearly 75% reduction in severity and frequency of hot flashes (12Trusted Source).

Some of the compounds in anise seed may also help prevent bone loss, one of the hallmark symptoms of menopause that occurs as a result of declining estrogen levels in your body (13Trusted Source).

One study found that an essential oil comprised of 81% anethole, the active ingredient in anise, helped prevent bone loss and protect against osteoporosis in rats (14).

Despite these promising results, more research is needed to determine how anise seed itself may affect menopause symptoms in women.

SUMMARYAnise seed and its compounds may reduce hot flashes and prevent bone loss, but more research is needed.

Some research indicates that anethole, the active ingredient in anise seed, may keep blood sugar levels in check when paired with a healthy diet.

In one 45-day study in diabetic rats, anethole helped reduce high blood sugar by altering levels of several key enzymes. Anethole also enhanced the function of pancreas cells that produce insulin (15Trusted Source).

Another animal study also reported that anethole improved blood sugar levels in rats with diabetes (16Trusted Source).

Keep in mind that these studies are using a concentrated dose of anethole — much higher than what is found in a typical serving of anise seed.

More studies are needed to evaluate how anise seed may affect blood sugar levels in humans.

SUMMARYAnimal studies show that anethole may lower blood sugar and improve the function of insulin-producing cells.