1. Star Anise is native to Vietnam
and Southwest China.
2. Star Anise belongs to the
genus Illicum – which is Latin for
entice! In Persian it is known as badiyan,
in French badiane and phookchakri in Hindi/Urdu.
3. Star Anise oil is a highly
fragrant oil used in cooking, perfumery, soaps, toothpastes, mouthwashes and
skin creams.
4. Over 90% of the commercial
Star Anise crop is used for the production of Shikimic Acid – an intermediary in the synthesis of Tamiflu.
5. In traditional Chinese
medicine, Star Anise is considered a warm and moving herb and used in relieving
cold-stagnation in the middle jiao. Japanese Star Anise on the other hand is
highly toxic and inedible. It causes severe inflammation of the kidneys,
urinary tract and digestive organs.
