Star Anise (Illicium verum Hook.f.), also called Badiana, is a medicinal evergreen plant of Asian origin.

It belongs to the Illiciaceae family.

What it is used for and where

Medical

It is used for the treatment of:

• digestive problems

• meteorism
• halitosis

Star anise is used to produce Shikimic acid which is a fundamental component for the synthesis of the antiviral drug oseltamivir (Tamiflu^®) (1)

The anethole that is a component of this plant has shown antimicrobial properties. Other properties are sedative and analgesic (2).

Cosmetics

Skin conditioning agent. It is the mainstay of topical skin treatment by restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants.

Food

A component of star anise, anethole, is the basis of the French Pastis liqueur and sambuca.

Contraindications: overdose

Star anise studies

References_______________________________________________________________________

(1) Ghosh S, Chisti Y, Banerjee UC. Production of shikimic acid.  Biotechnol Adv. 2012 Nov;30(6):1425-31. doi: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2012.03.001. 

(2) Wang GW, Hu WT, Huang BK, Qin LP. Illicium verum: a review on its botany, traditional use, chemistry and pharmacology. J Ethnopharmacol. 2011 Jun 14;136(1):10-20. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2011.04.051.