Star Anise

Products

Star anise is available in pharmacies and drugstores, for example, as a powder or as whole, dried aggregate fruits. Star anise oil is also available and included in some medicines, such as gastrointestinal remedies, tea mixtures, and rubs for external use.

Stem plant

The evergreen tree of the star anise family (Schisandraceae) is native to China and Vietman. This in contrast to anise, which is native to the Mediterranean region. Star anise is also used because its essential oil is much less expensive than anise oil. Caution: Japanese star anise should not be confused with the true Chinese star anise, as the Japanese species is poisonous.

Medicinal drug

The dried aggregate fruit is used as the medicinal raw material (Anisi stellati fructus). The pharmacopoeia requires a minimum essential oil content and at least 86.0% -anethole in the essential oil.

Ingredients

Star anise fruit contains star anise essential oil (Anisi stellati aetheroleum). An important constituent is -anethole. Star anise oil can be obtained by steam distillation from the dry, ripe fruit. It is present as a clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid. -Anethole is also found in anise. Shikimic acid, which is central to the synthesis of oseltamivir (Tamiflu), is found in star anise. In the past, the vast majority of star anise production went into oseltamivir production. Therefore, alternative sources and synthesis routes were sought.

Effects

The preparations have expectorant, spasmolytic, carminative, digestive, antioxidant, antifungal, insecticidal, and antimicrobial properties.

Indications for use

  • Star anise powder (Anisi stellati fructus pulvis) is used as a spice and is found, for example, in gingerbread spice and pear bread spice. It is also used for other baked goods and cooking.
  • In traditional Chinese medicine
  • Gastrointestinal complaints, dyspepsia, flatulence.
  • Respiratory diseases, catarrh
  • Aromatherapy
  • In food technology, for the production of liqueur (anisette).
  • For decoration (whole, dried fruit).
  • For the manufacture of cosmetics and personal care products.
  • For the extraction of shikimic acid