Pure Spice – Aniseed Star (refill) 35g

With its distinctive shape and flavor, star anise is quickly becoming one of the most sought after spices in the world, particularly due to its potential effects on human health. Its relative accessibility and cost makes it an excellent option for both culinary and medicinal applications around the world.

What is Star Anise?

Star anise is actually the hard pericarp of the fruit of the star anise tree, which is scientifically known as Illicium verum. Native to Southeast Asia and parts of China, this hardened fruit can be ground into a valuable powder to be used as a spice or even used whole in certain preparations and dishes. This star-shaped spice is highly desired due to its active chemical compounds, particularly those found in star anise oil. This herb also contains a compound called shikimic acid, which is a very important part of anti-influenza medications around the world. Extracting and processing this acid takes an entire year, so the cost of this herb is largely determined by the global demand for influenza medications.

However, this herb has been used for thousands of years for culinary and traditional medical applications due to its flavor, which closely resembles the more expensive aniseed, as well as its rich nutrient density. The name star anise is a combination of its shape and its similarity in flavor to aniseed. Although the plants are not related, the presence of anethole in both plants provides the distinctive licorice flavor, which makes it so popular in cooking

There are a few different variations of star anise, some of which are toxic to consume, so caution should be taken when cultivating your own or purchasing from a new herbalist/natural healer. When used in moderation, this spice can also provide an impressive list of health benefits.

Star Anise Nutrition Facts

Star anise contains a high level of antioxidants, such as linalool, quercetin, thymol, terpineol, caffeic acid, anethole, kaemferol and coumaric acid, as well as a significant amount of iron. Also contained in star anise are smaller amounts of vitamin C, calcium, potassium and magnesium. The other active compounds and organic acids, such as shikimic acid, fats and dietary fiber, also provide star anise with a few extra health benefits. The calorie count in star anise is also quite low, with only 23 calories in 1 tablespoon of whole star anise fruit.

Health Benefits of Star Anise

The most notable health benefits of star anise include its ability to promote healthy skin, prevent fungal infections, support respiratory health, lower your risk of cancer, stimulate the immune system, optimize digestion, boost circulation and aid sleep.

The contents of the Knysna Health website shall not be regarded as medical advice, or a basis from which to make medical decisions. The use of information found on this site is completely your responsibility and at your own risk. Our recommendation is that if you have health concerns that you feel unsure about how to deal with, that you contact your trusted health professional for personalized advice.