Anise (Star)  100 g, 50 g, 25 g

Anise (Star)  100 g ($12.99), 50 g ($8.99), 25 g ($5.99)

Benefits:
The star anise spice contains a bountiful combination of unique compounds that may be responsible for its unique taste and smell profile and its medicinal effects.

The main notable compounds identified in star anise include the following:
Anethole: Anethole is the primary fragrance compound found in star anise.
Shikimic acid: Star anise is a source of shikimic acid, a natural compound with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antiviral properties. Shikimic acid has been used as a starting molecule to manufacture Tamiflu (oseltamivir), an antiviral drug used to combat influenza.
Star anise essential oil (SAO): Extracted from the star anise fruit, SAO has a unique anise flavor. It’s used in food and pharmaceuticals for its antimicrobial (germ-fighting) and antioxidant properties.

Star anise also contains several other compounds with preclinical (lab) studies demonstrating the following effects:1
Limonene: Botanical insecticide, spasmolytic (relieves smooth muscle spasms), anticancer, and anti-inflammatory.
Linalool: Local anesthetic, pain-reducing, antimicrobial (germ-fighting), and anti-inflammatory.
Pinene: Digestive system protection, anti-inflammatory, pain-reducing, and antimicrobial.

Traditional medicine systems, such as traditional Chinese medicine, have employed star anise for thousands of years. It’s also used in contemporary medicine in East Asian countries. Researchers have more recently studied its effects in the lab and clinical studies. The following include effects found according to science.

Heart Health  Star anise contains antioxidants that can protect heart cells from oxidative stress and free radical damage. It also may help regulate blood pressure. Star anise may help control blood lipid levels. Star anise extracts may be able to treat atherosclerosis, a major cause of heart attacks. Star anise may help lower the buildup of plaque in the heart. Star anise may help assist blood circulation. Star anise is high in iron, which can help promote better heart health.

Blood Sugar  In a rat study, star anise reduced blood sugar levels. Studies with human participants are needed to determine if such an effect applies to humans.

Anxiety  In a mouse study, the anethole component in star anise produced anxiety-reducing effects. Human clinical studies are needed to confirm these results.

Anti-Virus  One of the medicinal effects of star anise is its antiviral effects. Shikimic acid, a compound found in star anise, is used to chemically make Tamiflu (oseltamivir), an antiviral drug that treats the flu. Star anise essential oil has also shown antiviral effects against the herpes simplex virus. However, further studies in humans are needed.

Anti-Bacterial  Another medicinal effect of star anise is its antibacterial effects. Star anise mouthwash has been shown to have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. Anethole, the main component in star anise, is thought to be the primary compound responsible for its antimicrobial (germ-fighting) effects.

A study examined the ability of a star anise mouthwash to bolster dental health by fighting germs in the mouth for two weeks. Positive benefits were observed. However, the study was limited, as monitoring how the research subjects followed their regimen was challenging. Studies performed in mice found that star anise extract exerted antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus (MRSA) skin infection.

Anti-Fungal  Laboratory studies have shown that star anise essential oil has antioxidant and anti-fungal activities. As a preservative, star anise has also been shown to extend the shelf life of bread through its anti-fungal effect. Further studies are needed to confirm the results.

Botanical Name: Illicium verum
English: Star Anise, Chinese Anise, Aniseed Stars.
Also, known as: Poy kak, Anacio, Anes, Aneis, anice, anice verde, Anis, anisbibernelle, anis verde, anis vert, anise, anisoon, anisum, ánizs, anizsolaj, annsella, badian, badian rumi, boucage, boucage anis , Grüner Anis, habbat hlawa, jintan manis, jinten manis, petit anis, pimpinelle, razianag, razianaj, roomy, saunf, sweet cumin, yansoo, Takkola, Anasippo, Anasphal, Takkolpputtil, Baadiyaan, Anushappu, Anushuppu, Annashuppu, Anasapuveru, Baadiyaan
Origin: Vietnam / India
Harvested: Cultivated
Parts Used: Pods

General Information:
The attractive fruits have eight separate follicles and a distinctive sweet anise smell and taste, mainly located in the fruit wall and not in the seeds. The similar-looking but poisonous fruits of Japanese anise or Shikimi (Illicium anisatum) are less regular in shape but are best identified by their bitter and balsamic taste. The fruits are harvested by hand when ripe and then dried. Anise star is an evergreen tree native to Asia. The tree grows to a height of about 35 feet, has shiny green leaves and small yellow flowers that develop into large star-shaped fruits with brown seeds. The fruits can be eaten fresh or dried; however, the leaves are poisonous.

Star anise is the most important spice in Chinese cuisine and associated cooking traditions of Asia and is widely used in curries and chutneys. It is an essential ingredient of the main Chinese spice mixtures. Fruits star-shaped, consisting of 8 carpels (follicles) arranged in a whorl around a short central column attached to a pedicel; each follicle 12 to 17 mm long, up to 14 mm deep, up to 5 mm broad, boat-shaped, bluntly beaked at the apex, woody and wrinkled, reddish-brown outside, smooth glossy inside, opening by ventral suture at the upper margin, containing one seed. Pedicel up to 5 cm long, strongly curved at the distal end; seeds reddish brown, compressed-ovoid, smooth, shiny with brittle seed coat enclosing a soft, oily kernel, odour, pleasant, resembling that of anise; taste, agreeable, aromatic, sweet

 

How to use:
We make these suggestions to help you get the best benefit from the herbs that you’re choosing to improve your health. Also we make these ideas and recommendations so that consuming them easier and better fit into your lifestyle by adding them to the food that you already eat.
For the full health benefit, it is best to consume (or use the whole herb in poultices) the whole herb. All of the compounds in the herb act best together, as nature intends. Extracts draw out the most prominent beneficial compounds and may concentrate them. What is not extracted can be helpful in ways that we do not yet understand.

Cut Pieces or Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use cut pieces or powdered herb.
Food Preparation: You can add powdered or pieces of herb (if the pieces you buy are bigger than you like, a coffee or herb grinder will quickly reduce) to any yogurt, smoothie, apple or other sauces, spreads, salads or other foods more familiar to you that don’t use heat. Heat can be damaging to the beneficial compounds in the herb. Other options like oatmeal, scrambled eggs, pasta sauce, soup, cookies and anything else that fits your lifestyle, but minimizing (by adding near the end of cooking) the heat is helpful.
Also, for children, you can mix powdered herb with honey or glycerin to make paste. The thicker the paste, the more potent and herbal in taste. The sweet taste of honey and glycerin will help medicine go down. The resulting liquid is called an electuary.
For seeds in general, but especially small seeds, it’s best to grind these to break the protective hulls a short time before consumption. This makes all the benefits available, rather than some remaining locked inside the hulls that are unbroken by insufficient chewing.
To make adding herbs even easier, you could add a week’s worth of your chosen herb(s) to an amount of, for example, yogurt that you would eat in a week. Mix thoroughly and eat this each day of the week. So you make once /week and just eat each other day.
Hot Infusion: The basic method for dried herbs and flower is, take 2-3 tablespoons of dried herb in a cup or teapot. Pour hot water over it and cover it with lid for 10-30 minutes. The heat from making tea can degrade some of the beneficial compounds in the herb. This method minimizes this effect. For the full health benefit, it is recommended to consume what is left over after making tea.
Decoctions: Decoctions are suitable for roots, barks, large seeds & berries, and other dense material. The simple way to make decoction is, in a saucepan, add 1 tablespoon of dried herbs to 1 cup of water, Bring the water to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30-60 minutes with the pot covered. Squeeze out as much as liquid as possible. Best practice is to drink the liquid and also consume the solid material that remains. Herb pieces can also be used.
Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use powdered herb.
Capsules: HerbsCrafters makes capsules guaranteed to be filled with the pure herb with no filler or any other products. You can also use powdered herb to make your own capsules at home. These capsules are best taken with liquid to aid in digestion and absorption and to ensure it doesn’t stick in your throat.
Poultice: Poultice can be made with an herbal powder and liquid (mostly water) to form a paste which is then applied to the skin. This method is very helpful for skin conditions.
Herbal shot: Powdered herb can be mixed with water, fruit juice or other liquid to make herbal shot.

Tips:
You can sweeten your herbal decoctions with bit of honey, natural fruit juice, stevia leaves powder or licorice root powder.

Precautions:
You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.
All information on this website is for educational purpose ONLY.
This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

How Much To Use
It is common that 10g of a fresh herb = 1g when dehydrated.
For Star Anise, a recommended amount is 3g. This can be daily or take as often as needed.