Star Anise
Illicium verum (star anise or badian, Chinese star anise, star anise seed, star aniseed and star of anise) is a medium-sized evergreen tree native to northeast Vietnam and South China.
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Buy Star Anise Essential Oil
Scientific Name: Illicium verum
Parts Used: Pods (fruit)
Cautions:
Healing Properties
How to Use:
Herbs are wonderfully versatile and may be used in multiple ways (see list below). However, some methods are better suited to certain herbs than others. Check the HEALING section to see which preparations are recommended for specific uses and conditions.
Grow It/Harvest It Yourself:
Buy Star Anise
Buy Star Anise Essential Oil
Scientific Name: Illicium verum
Parts Used: Pods (fruit)
Cautions:
- Avoid if pregnant or nursing.
Healing Properties
- Relieves gas, cramping (including menstrual cramps), bloating and indigestion, as well as colic in babies.
- Used in traditional Chinese medicine for clearing mucus from the respiratory tract
- Fights influenza, bronchitis, respiratory tract infections, coughs, flu.
- Wards off viral, bacterial and fungal infections including Hepatitis B., Herpes simplex 1, HIV, Stept bacteria, Epstein-Barr virus and more.
- Can increase sex drive as well as boost heart health and regulate blood sugar.
How to Use:
Herbs are wonderfully versatile and may be used in multiple ways (see list below). However, some methods are better suited to certain herbs than others. Check the HEALING section to see which preparations are recommended for specific uses and conditions.
- Add fresh or dried herb to food and beverages.
- Can be taken in store-bought capsule or extract form.
- Essential Oils: Apply externally
- How to Dry Herbs
- How to Make Herbal Teas/Infusions/Decoctions
- How to Make Herbal Vinegars
- How to Make Herbal Syrups
- How to Make Herbal Tinctures & Glycerites
- How to Make Herbal Infused Oils
- How to Make Herbal Ointments & Creams
- How to Make Herbal Poultices & Compresses
- How to Make Herbal Electuaries & Oxymels
- How to Make Herbal Lozenges, Gummies, Capsules (if using capsules, make sure to use CULINARY CHINESE STAR ANISE, not the toxic Japanese species)
- How to Make Herbal Baths, Steams & Hair Rinses
Grow It/Harvest It Yourself:
- Buy Star Anise Seed
- The star anise tree takes at least 6 years to fruit if grown from seeds. Fruits are picked unripe while they are still green, then sun-dried until their color changes to reddish-brown.
- Zone: 9-11
- Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral
- Humus, compost rich soil that is loamy and well drained
- Part sun to partial shade