OLEUM ANISI—OIL OF ANISE
A volatile oil distilled from the fruit of star anise.
Properties.—A colorless or pale yellow, thin and strongly refractive liquid, having the characteristic odor of anise, and a sweetish, mildly aromatic taste. Specific gravity about 0.975 to 0.985. Soluble in an equal volume of alcohol.
Dose.—Horses and cattle, 20 to 30 m.; sheep and pigs, 5 to 10 m.; dogs and cats, 1 to 5 m.
Actions.—Anise is an aromatic stimulant, stomachic and carminative. It is used to relieve indigestion and flatulence, to communicate an agreeable flavor to many medicines, and to diminish the griping of purgatives. Oil of anise resembles in action other volatile oils.
Uses.—The oil of anise is employed with olive oil or alcohol to kill fleas or lice on dogs, rubbed over the skin; and one drop of the pure oil may be placed on the feathers of fowl to cause destruction of lice. The oil of anise is sometimes prescribed to disguise the odor of drugs, and is ordered in cough mixtures for its expectorant properties.
The fruit is given all animals (generally powdered) on their food—frequently with sodium bicarbonate and ginger—to relieve mild forms of indigestion and flatulence through its stomachic and carminative effects.