Sweet Cicely Drug Interactions, Uses, Safety & More

Sweet Cicely (Myrrhis odorata) is a leafy perennial plant in the carrot and parsley family. It grows in cool parts of Europe and has spread to gardens in other temperate regions. The plant has fern-like leaves, white flowers, and a sweet, anise-like (licorice) flavor and smell.

People have long used Sweet Cicely as a kitchen herb. Cooks add the leaves and unripe seeds to fruit dishes, salads, and stewed fruit because its natural sweetness can reduce the amount of sugar needed with tart foods like rhubarb. In folk medicine, the leaves, seeds, and roots have been made into teas and remedies for digestion and minor coughs.

Sweet Cicely is used mainly in food and traditional home remedies. Common traditional uses include easing an upset stomach, gas, and bloating, helping with mild coughs, and stimulating appetite. Some people also use it simply as a gentle, pleasant-tasting herb.

The scientific evidence for these uses is very limited. There are almost no good-quality human studies on Sweet Cicely. Most claims come from long-standing traditional use, not from modern clinical trials. Because of this, we cannot say it is proven to treat any health condition. If you are looking for treatment for a specific problem, talk with a healthcare professional about options that have stronger evidence.

Sweet Cicely contains aromatic plant oils, including compounds related to anethole, which give it the sweet, anise-like taste. Plants in the same family often contain volatile oils and flavonoids that are thought to have mild effects on the digestive system, which may explain its traditional use for gas and stomach discomfort.

It is important to know that these proposed actions are based mostly on the plant's chemistry and on how similar herbs behave, not on solid human research. Any effects in people are likely to be mild, and the exact way Sweet Cicely might work in the body has not been well studied.

Sweet Cicely is widely eaten as a food herb and is generally considered safe in normal culinary amounts. However, its safety when used in larger, medicinal amounts has not been carefully studied.

People with allergies to plants in the carrot and parsley family (such as carrot, celery, fennel, or anise) should be cautious, since cross-reactions are possible. Because Sweet Cicely looks somewhat like other plants in this family, never gather wild plants yourself unless you are completely certain of the identification, as some related plants are highly poisonous.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: There is not enough information to know whether medicinal amounts of Sweet Cicely are safe during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. To be safe, avoid using it as a remedy during these times and stick to small food amounts only after checking with your doctor.

Always talk with a pharmacist or doctor before using Sweet Cicely as a supplement, especially if you have a medical condition or take other medicines.

When used in small amounts as a food, Sweet Cicely is not commonly linked to side effects. Because it has not been well studied as a medicine, the full range of possible side effects is unknown.

The most likely problems are allergic reactions in people sensitive to related plants, and possible mild stomach upset. Stop using it and seek medical help if you notice signs of an allergic reaction such as rash, itching, swelling, or trouble breathing.

There is no established, standardized medicinal dose for Sweet Cicely. Most use is culinary, where the fresh or dried leaves and seeds are added to food or steeped as a mild tea.

If you choose to use a commercial Sweet Cicely product, follow the directions on the product label and do not exceed the recommended amount. Because quality and strength can vary between products, it is wise to check with a pharmacist before starting, and to avoid giving it to children, pregnant or breastfeeding women without professional advice.