Star Anise

Western Bulk Herbs – Star Anise

Star Anise is known for its ability to help with impotence and frigidity in both men and women. It can also be used for the production of milk in nursing mothers. It’s used to treat lice and scabies if used in a lotion. Anise star pod work well on colic and indigestion and can be taken to treat toothaches when rubbed on the gums and teeth.

Star anise smells and tastes what people associate the classic licorice candy flavor with. Not to be confused with Licorice root, which does not taste like the candy.

Latin Name:
Illicium verum

Common Names:
Indian anise, Badian anise, and Chinese anise, Aniseed, Sweet Cumin, Illicium

Parts Used:
The dried fruits

Properties:
Star Anise pods may have some benefit for the libido, lactation, digestion, and beneficial qualities for the skin.

Traditional Uses:
Frequently used to make syrup, infusions, or oil. Anise star pods are a powerful spice and should be used in small amounts. It can be made into tea, but Anise is strong and only recommended quantities should be used. This herb can also be taken in capsules or used from an extract.

Topical Uses / Applications:

Culinary Uses:
Can be adding to tea, beverages and juices.

Chemical Properties:
Contains 70-90% Anethole from the 1-4% volatile oil, fatty acid, flavonoids, furanocoumarins, sterols, proteins, and phenylpropanoids, coumarins, and carbohydrates.

Cautions:

None known.

Folk Lore:
Used for many years for a variety of ailments, from asthma to indigestion. Ancient Romans used it in their dinners to help treat digestion, colic, and nausea. They even used to be as an aphrodisiac. The Greeks thought anise would cure many common ailments.

Today, English herbalists are using it for hiccups, for lactation treatment, and for edema or water retention. They also found it helpful to use in the fight against headaches and asthma, prostate cancer, and cholera.

*Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.