By Maryann Readal
Star anise, Illicium verum, is The Herb Society’s Herb of the Month for December. December is the perfect month to change into acquainted with this spice as a result of its star form is ideal for utilizing throughout the vacation season. Its candy, refined licorice taste might be added to vacation desserts, and the seed pod might be floated in vacation drinks or nestled on the rim of a glass of a vacation cocktail or mocktail.
Star anise is the seed pod from the fruit of an evergreen tree native to Southern China and Vietnam, the place it has been utilized in cooking and medication for 1000’s of years. The leaves and seed pod have a definite licorice taste and perfume. Every of the six to eight factors of the seed pod accommodates a small seed. It grew to become identified within the West within the 1600s when a sailor introduced the star-shaped spice house to England. European settlers introduced the spice to the New World the place it was utilized in medication and to taste desserts. The fruit is harvested twice a 12 months by farmers who climb and shake the bushes to make the fruit drop to the bottom. The inexperienced fruit might be eaten contemporary, or it may be dried within the solar till it hardens and reaches the wealthy brown colour of the star anise we buy on the grocery retailer.
The star anise seed pod is a vital spice in Conventional Chinese language Drugs (TCM), as it’s believed to keep up the steadiness of yin and yang within the physique. Additionally it is used for respiratory issues and to alleviate ache. A tea made with the seed pod can help digestion and cut back bloating. Research have proven that star anise has antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and insecticidal results (Zou, 2023).
In Western medication star anise has been used to make Tamiflu, a drugs to deal with the flu virus. The seed pods are the first supply of shikimic acid, which is required to make the drug. Till 2012, Roche Prescription drugs used 90% of the world’s manufacturing of star anise to make Tamiflu (Virology Analysis Providers, 2024). Nevertheless, Roche developed a course of to chemically produce the shikimic acid, thus decreasing dependence on the fruit of the slow-growing tree.
Star anise is a vital spice in Asian cooking. It is among the spices in Chinese language five-spice powder and Indian garam masala. Additionally it is an essential ingredient in Vietnamese pho soups. It provides a pleasant taste to espresso and tea, can be utilized to marinate meat, and added to barbecue sauce. The entire pod is utilized in stews, soups, sauces and different dishes that want braising. The seed pod is eliminated when cooking is completed. Star anise can be floor however loses its taste extra shortly this manner. The bottom spice is added to a dish identical to another spice.
The fruit, leaves, and branches of Illicium verum are used to supply star anise oil. The oil is used to taste sweet, baked items, chewing gum, cigarettes, and dental merchandise. Additionally it is used to taste liqueurs similar to Galliano, Sambuca, Absinthe, and Pastis.
I might be remiss to not point out that star anise has curious practices related to it. Some imagine that including star anise and bay leaves to your tub will cut back unfavourable vitality. And a few imagine that placing a star underneath your pillow at night time will assist guarantee a very good night time’s sleep and can banish nightmares (Johnson, 2024). When you think about the medicinal results of star anise, it’s comprehensible how these beliefs developed.
It can be crucial to not confuse star anise with Japanese star anise (Illicium anisatum) which is poisonous and causes seizures and harm to the urinary tract, kidneys, and digestive tract when eaten. In Japan, it’s burned as incense (Zou, 2023). Including to the confusion is the identify “anise”. The star anise spice comes from a tree within the magnolia household whereas anise seed, Pimpinella anisum, comes from a plant within the parsley household. The vegetation and seeds of every are very totally different from one another.
For extra details about star anise, please see The Herb Society’s Herb of the Month.
Medicinal Disclaimer: It’s the coverage of The Herb Society of America, Inc. to not advise or advocate herbs for medicinal or well being use. This info is meant for instructional functions solely and shouldn’t be thought of as a advice or an endorsement of any specific medical or well being therapy. Please seek the advice of a well being care supplier earlier than pursuing any natural remedies.
Picture Credit: 1) Star anise seed pods (Thor, by way of Wikimedia); 2) Star anise farm in China (Fuzheado, by way of Wikimedia); 3) Inexperienced star anise fruits (Fuzheado, by way of Wikimedia); 4) Star anise pho in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis (Joshua, by way of Wikimedia); 5) Star anise plant (Joseph Dalton Hooker, 1801)
References
Johnson, Jackie. 2024. Chinese language star anise (Illicium verum). The Important Natural.
Matthias, Alice. 2023. All the pieces you must learn about star anise. Accessed 11/14/23. Out there from https://www.allrecipes.com/what-is-star-anise-7775390#:~:textual content=Thepercent20wholepercent20podspercent20ofpercent20star,otherpercent20spicepercent20inpercent20thepercent20cabinet.
Moncel, Bethany. 2023. What’s star anise? Accessed 11/12/24. Out there from https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-is-star-anise-1328525
Virology Analysis Providers. 2024. Nature’s resolution: Tamiflu. Accessed 11/15/24. Out there from https://virologyresearchservices.com/2024/04/28/natures-solutions-tamiflu/
Zou, Qiyuan. 2023. A Complete Assessment of the Pharmacology, Chemistry, Conventional Makes use of and High quality Management of Star Anise (Illicium verum Hook. F.): An Fragrant Medicinal Plant. Accessed 11/11/2024. Out there from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10648513/
Maryann is a member of The Herb Society of America’s Texas Thyme Unit in Huntsville, TX. She is a Texas Grasp Gardener and a licensed Native Panorama Specialist with the Texas Native Plant Society and has acquired The Herb Society’s Nancy Putnam Award for Excellence in Horticulture. She lectures and writes about herbs and vegetation and does the herb coaching for a number of Grasp Gardener packages. She gardens among the many pines within the Piney Woods of East Texas.
