Star Anise

Star anise is the star-shaped fruit of an evergreen plant known scientifically as illicium verum. Originating in southern china, star anise has a licorice- or anise-like flavor, although it is not related to the true anise plants native to the mediterranean basin and middle east. Traditionally used as a spice and also as a healing herb, star anise appears to have medicinal properties that endow it with significant health benefits. Be careful you know what you are taking.

The star anise used as medicine is chinese star anise. Donat confuse it with japanese star anise, which is poisonous and should not be taken. Some chinese star anise tea products have been contaminated with japanese star anise. You cannot tell the difference between them just by looking. Unless safety can be assured by chemical analysis, star anise tea should not be used.

Star anise is the main source of shikimic acid. This substance boosted the spiceas prominence in western medicine as it is one of the main components for making the anti-influenza pharmaceutical called tamiflu. This is the drug that has been recently developed to combat swine flu. Shikimic acid is found in the seeds of star anise.

Star anise is the primary source of shikimic acid, a plant-based compound that is the precursor to oseltamivir, an antiviral medication that is marketed as tamiflu, according to an article in a 2011 issue of aalternative medicine studies" although shikimic acid also occurs naturally in ginkgo and sweetgum fruit, star anise has far greater concentrations.

Italian researchers tested shikimic acid alone and in combination with quercetin, an antioxidant-rich plant-based nutrient, to see if they could bolster immune function to help fight off flu or other viral infections.

Although shikimic acid on its own had little or no effect on immune function, its combination with quercetin, even at low doses, appeared to help ramp up immune function to better resist viral infection.

Researchers published their findings in the april 2008 issue of ajournal of medical virology"

For a limited time, global healing center is offering a limited supply of 1 ounce bottles of star anise oil.

This oil can be rubbed on the soles of the feet, breathed in an aroma-therapeutic form, or taken internally (three drops in warm water 2-3 times daily), to help the body increase resistance to strains of flu not normally encountered.

A stimulant, star anise is also helpful in reducing chronic pain, cough, urinary infections, and respiratory infections.

According to the akorean journal of medical mycology" extracts from the star anise plant, illicium verum, showed significant promise as a natural anti-fungal.

When your bodyas internal balance of bacteria and fungi is disturbed, a certain type of yeast -- candida albicans -- can grow unchecked.

If this happens, it can cause candidiasis, a serious complication.

Candida albicans is found naturally in your intestinal tract, mouth and throat.

Candida albicans is a yeast -- a form of fungi -- that occurs naturally in the human mouth, throat, intestines and genitourinary tract.

However, when your bodyas delicate balance of microbes is disturbed or your immune system is somehow weakened, this yeast can grow unhindered and lead to serious infection, known as candidiasis.

South korean researchers found that extracts and essential oils of star anise exhibited strong antifungal properties when tested against candida albicans.

In the dec.10, 2010, issue of akorean journal of medical mycology,a they said their findings confirm that extracts from illicium verum are promising candidates for use as anti-fungal agents.

The upsurge in bacterial infections that exhibit resistance to existing antibiotics has intensified the search for new agents that may prove more effective against these resistant strains of bacteria.

Researchers in taiwan tested four new anti-microbial compounds from star anise and found that they were effective against 67 strains of drug-resistant bacteria.

Chronicling their study in the october 2010 issue of ajournal of medicinal food,a the researchers reported that their findings pave the way for the development of new antibiotic medicines from the star anise compounds they studied.

This oil can give relief from rheumatic and arthritic pains by stimulating blood circulation, and by reducing the sensation of pain in the affected areas.

This essential oil also has antiseptic properties and give wounds an effective protective layer against infections and sepsis.

This aids in the faster healing of wounds.

This oil has mild purgative properties, but is safe to use.

Unlike other synthetic or harsh purgatives, it is not hard on the stomach and liver and does not leave you exhausted and fatigued.

When taken in low dosages, it helps clear motions and cures constipation, resultant flatulence, and indigestion.

Only those who are suffering from gas know what a relief it is to get rid of it.

Gas is not funny at all.

It is a very serious ailment and must be treated in a timely manner.

It gives rise to indigestion, flatulence, acute chest pain, stomach aches, muscular cramps and pains, rheumatism in the long run, heaviness, hypertension and even problems like hair loss and reduction of eyesight, if it becomes chronic.

Anise essential oil promotes the removal of gases and as a digestive, it does not let it form, as indigestion is the cause of excess gas.

This property of anise and anise essential oil is very commonly used to promote digestion.

It has been an old practice to chew anise seeds, to serve desserts containing anise, or to have a glass of warm water with few drops of anise essential oil in it to aid digestion, especially after a heavy meal or a feast.

This oil is really remarkable as an expectorant and this property earned it an impressive reputation.

It loosens mucus or phlegm deposited in the lungs and respiratory tracts and gives relief from cough, heaviness in the chest, breathing troubles, asthma, bronchitis, congestion and other respiratory disorders.

Due to the presence of this essential oil in the seeds, the seeds are used for smoking to loosen catarrh or phlegm.

The essential oil of anise is toxic to insects and smaller animals, therefore its smell keeps insects away.

For this reason, this oil can be employed to drive away insects by using it in fumigants, vaporizers, and sprays.

Due to its somewhat narcotic or numbing effects, it is used as a sedative for anxiety, nervous afflictions, depression, anger, and stress as well as for symptoms such as insomnia due to its tranquilizing and relaxing effects.

This effect is particularly visible when it is used in higher dosages, since in very small doses, it acts as a stimulant.

However, the utmost care should be taken while administering it in heavy doses, keeping in view its narcotic effects.

The stimulating property of anise essential oil can benefit us in the following ways.

It can stimulate circulation and give relief from rheumatism and arthritis, stimulate secretion of enzymes and hormones, thus boosting the whole metabolism and finally, it can stimulate the nervous system and the brain to make us more active and alert.

Antioxidants target free radicals a atoms or molecules with unpaired electrons a that can cause disease and cellular damage.

Free radicals can damage cellular dna and initiate carcinogenesis a the beginnings of cancer.

You canat really avoid free radicals, which are byproducts of your bodyas metabolic processes, but you can neutralize them by eating a diet rich in antioxidants.

Indian researchers conducted an animal study to determine whether star aniseas antioxidant properties helped protect lab rats from artificially induced liver cancer.

In a 2007 issue of achemico-biological interactions,a researchers reported animals that were fed star anise after the induction of carcinogenesis exhibited significantly less evidence of cancer development than those that did not receive star anise.

Star anise seeds contain herbs that fight against bacteria, yeast and fungi.

The spice is the primary source of the chemical compound shikimic acid, a chief ingredient in tamiflu.

In addition to fighting the flu, star anise helps keep your lungs clear of mucus.

Due to its expectorant compounds, the spice promotes the liquefaction of mucus.

Adding the spice to boiling water while you are sick with a bad cold expedites the healing process and soothes painful coughing.