Top 3 Benefits of Star Anise
Illicium verum of Schisandraceae
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In the natural world, spices appear in all shapes and sizes; star anise being quite the example. Star anise is an exotic herb derived from the evergreen Anise plant that is native to Northeast Vietnam and Southern China. It sprouts as dark brown pods with eight (8) segments, each consisting of a pea-sized seed. It is generally recognized for its dark and pleasant color and unique star shape. This spice herb packs some impressive health perks that can be very useful to the wellness of our bodies. It is highly aromatic, too, and thus used in culinary recipes, soaps, mouthwashes, toothpaste, skin creams, and perfumery. This extraordinary spice contains a chemical called anethole which makes star anise thirteen times sweeter than sugar. Thirteen times – isn’t that fascinating!
History
Star anise’s usage as a herb originated in Southern China and Vietnam. Its history dates back to 100 BC. It has been used as a spice and medicine for over 300 years. It takes a minimum of fifteen years of growth to produce seeds from its evergreen tree. It is primarily found in Southern China and Southeast Asia as a result of the difficulty of transporting and transplanting the plant. During the period of European colonial exploration, the English who sailed to Southeast Asia brought back the concepts and uses of this herb to Europe in the 16th century. In the course of this time the herb was used in jams, syrups, and puddings because of its luscious flavor. Star anise is considered a staple in traditional oriental medicine in which its purpose is to aid in digestive disorders.
Taxonomy
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Angiosperms
Order: Austrobaileyales
Family: Schisandraceae
Genus: Illicium
Species: I. verum
Binomial Name: Illicium verum
Lore
Star anise is mainly used in Japan in nearly every Shinto temple and burial location. It is burned as incense to boost psychic perception and capability. The herb is situated on the altar to help practitioners gain the power to achieve their goal and to bring them luck. Properties associated with its magical use include auspicious blessings, love, money, averting nightmares, and psychic security.
Star anise in China plays an important role in Chinese cuisine. Many recipes involve its use both as a spice, and as culinary decor. This herb also has its own version of the four leaf clover legend. It is extensively believed that the entire intact star with more than normal eight points or arms delivers good luck. Based on tradition, you can place star anise under your pillow to ensure a good night sleep and ward off nightmares.
Uses
- Medicinal – Star anise works wonder in so many ways. It contains carminative, stimulant, and diuretic properties. In the Eastern hemisphere, it is widely used to alleviate rheumatism and colic. The oil of the herb is also used to relieve back pain. Frequently ground and turned into medicinal teas, pastille, and cough mixtures, conventional chinese medicine primarily considers it a staple for digestive relief, stimulant for female reproductive organs, and helpful for breastfeeding mothers as it boosts milk production. This herb has also been documented as being effective in boosting the immune system when dealing with cases of flu. When you are having difficulty sleeping, star anise can help as it contains sedating properties. This herb also has antifungal and antibacterial benefits used in treating bronchitis, asthma, and dry cough. These abilities are also the reason why some cough medicines to this day contain star anise extract. The multi-purpose herb can also be used as a mouthwash as one of its compounds, Linalool, contains antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
- Culinary – Commonly found in powdered form as well as its delightful star shape for cooking, this regional herb is considered one of top five spices in traditional Chinese five spice powder. A delectable way to to use this pungent spice is to infuse it with Basmati rice while cooking to add an exquisite hint to the dish. It is widely used in Persian and Indian Biryani rice dishes while its use in masala chai also adds flavor in Indian stews and curries. The spice is extensively used in Chinese, Indonesian, and Malay cuisines. In addition to its perks as a spice, this herb is also used in flavoring sweetmeats, liquors, and confectionery due to its highly sweet nature. In France, star anise is actually used in a recipe for mulled wine. Vietnam’s Phobo soup ingredients include star anise. Other recipes known for using this herb include red cooked beef, braised chicken in potato mold, sweet tamarind drink, and marbled eggs.
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- Spiritual – The anise tree is planted around graves and temples as an herb of devotion and protection. The powdered bark is used as in incense, while its seeds are being burned as incense to boost psychic powers. You may also wear these seeds as beads for spiritual security. In addition, you may also use star anise leaves in your space when you practice meditation to secure your space from any negative energy. Its elements are air and water, and planets are Mercury and Jupiter. Its astrological signs are Gemini, Sagittarius and Pisces for those associating with the Western Zodiac.
Growing Tips
If you want to grow star anise, plant your seeds in spring a few inches in the ground and cover with a pot to protect it initially. You should plant it in a sheltered spot as this plant cannot handle temperatures lower than 23 degrees Fahrenheit.. You can also grow the herb in a greenhouse for those living in colder climates. If you prefer you can also grow it in a container during colder months and shift it outdoors during warmer months. Although this herb is a short tree, many trees develop graciously in containers. You can gather fruits before they become ripe and then dry them under the sun. The plant itself grows gradually, but you can harvest its fruit three times a year and you may receive harvests for over 100 years.
Word of Caution
The Chinese star anise is considered safe while the Japanese star anise contains sikimitoxin and is harmful to use in both culinary and medicinal methods as this compound causes neurological disorders. When the herb has been dried and refined, it is not easy to visibly distinguished between Chinese and Japanese star anise. Minimal amounts of star anise is safe for pregnant women, however, the essential oil and other concentrates should be avoided.
Final Note
One fun fact about star anise is that it is still used as a component of the anti-flu drug, Tamiflu. Aside from being a source of iron, calcium and vitamin C, this herb gives quite a few unexpected perks in medicinal and culinary purposes. The star-shaped covering of the seed pod has the most flavor in culinary uses. You can purchase the spice either whole, ground, or in pieces online or at local herb stores. The star itself is not succulent, but the seed and powdered forms of the herb are edible in and of themselves to the point where you can actually sweeten your breath. If kept away from sunlight and in an airtight jar after harvest, this herb can also stay preserved for up to five years.
Have you tried star anise in your cooking and baking recipes? How about in cider? Let us know in the comments below!
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Works Cited
www.themagickalcat.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=star+anise&Submit=.
“Illicium Verum.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 14 Mar. 2018, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illicium_verum.
www.wisegeek.org/what-is-star-anise.htm.
The New Encyclopaedia Britannica. Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2010.
www.specialtyproduce.com/produce/Star_Anise_6144.php.
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