Star Anise Purchase & Information
Alternative Names
Anis de Chine, Anís Estrellado, Anis Étoilé, Anis Étoilé Chinois, Aniseed Stars, Anisi Stellati Fructus, Ba Jiao Hui, Badiana, Badiane, Badiane de Chine, Bajiao, Chinese Star Anise, Eight-Horned Anise, Eight Horns, Illicium CAUTION: Please refer to separate listing for Anise
Scientific Name
Illicium verum
Why Do People Use Star Anise?
Oral preparations of Illicium verum (Star anise), star anise powder, are used for the flu (influenza), respiratory infections and inflammation, avian flu, swine flu, flatulence, gastrointestinal upset, infant colic, loss of appetite, bronchitis and cough. It is also used for increasing milk secretion, facilitating childbirth, promoting menstruation, treating symptoms of male climacteric and increasing libido.
As an inhalant - Star anise is also used for respiratory tract congestion.
In foods & Beverages - In number of food & beverages items star anise powder is considered a culinary spice and both the oil and seed are used as flavoring.
In manufacturing - In various manufacturing practices, the oil of star anise is used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, soaps, toothpaste, perfumes and to mask undesirable odors in drug products.
Is It Safe To Use?
Likely Safe - Oral consumption of star anise powder in amounts commonly found in foods considered safe to use. Star anise has attained the rank of Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status in the United States. However, when star anise is used for medicinal purpose, there is insufficient data to whether it is safe.
Likely Safe for Children - Illicium verum is likely safe for infant when used orally.
Avoid during Breast Feeding & Pregnancy - Breastfeeding and pregnant women should avoid oral or topical consumption of star anise powder, as there is insufficient and unreliable information available about its safety.
Effectiveness:
There is insufficient reliable information available about the effectiveness of star anise.
How Effective Is Star Anise?
The most effective part of Illicium verum is the seed. Its seed consist of volatile oil, 75% of which is anethole. Seeds part of star anise seed also contains limonene, alpha-pinene and safrole alpha-pinene. Anethole has effect against yeast, fungi and bacteria. At one time anethole was considered as the active estrogenic agent in the essential oil. But later data proposed the active estrogenic compound are the dianethole, anethole polymers and photoanethole.
There is interest in utilizing Illicium verum as an antiviral agent. Star anise consist of shikimic acid, which is utilized for the preparation of oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and neuramidase inhibitor. There is no authentic confirmation if star anise itself has antiviral activity.
How Star Anise Works?
Not known.
What Are The Side Effects /Adverse Reactions of Star Anise?
Orally - Star anise (Illicium verum) powder generally has no severe side effects. But there are some types of star anise have been contaminated with Japanese star anise (Illicium anisatum) that should not be taken orally and are reported to have some side effects. Symptoms resulting from drinking tea made from contaminated star anise include vomiting, seizures, rapid eye movements, nervousness and other serious neurological effects.
In newborn babies aged between 2 weeks to 3 months, star anise tea can lead to acute onset irritability, clonus or myoclonus, jumpiness, nystagmus, enhanced deep tendon reflexes, seizures and regurgitating. It is not known whether this toxicity is brought on by star anise alone or by defilement with Japanese star anise.
Topical application of the constituent anethole can result in dermatitis, including scaling, erythema and vesiculation.
How Star Anise Interacts With Other Herbs and Supplements?
Not known.
How Star Anise Interacts With Drugs?
Not known.
How Star Anise Interacts With Foods?
Not known.
How Star Anise Interacts With Lab Tests?
Not known.
How Star Anise Interacts With Diseases and Conditions?
Hormone Sensitive Conditions or Cancers - The anethole constituent of star anise powder may show estrogenic activity. Women suffering from hormone sensitive conditions should discontinue or stop using star anise. Some of these conditions include breast cancer, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, and uterine cancer.
What Should Be the Dose/Administration of Star Anise?
There is no typical dosage of star anise.
Comments
Star anise is the main source of shikimic acid that is used in the production of oseltamivir (Tamiflu). Shikimic acid utilized in oseltamivir is obtained from bioengineered bacteria.
General Certificate of Analysis (COA)
Specification sheet links below are a standard copy of the COA less the batch or lot number and manufactures dates. Specification sheet can be dated and should only be considered as a general information. Please contact and request an up to date COA if needed for specific updated information before placing order by filling out the contact form with product name and SKU number. If ordering quantities of twenty five kilos or more contact for availability.
