The true star anise belongs to the star anise family. It thrives in tropical regions and its fruits are used as a spice but also for digestive problems and respiratory diseases, respectively.
Occurrence and cultivation of the true star anise.
The fruit of star anise is reddish-brown and has a diameter of about 3.5cm. Star anise prefers sunny to semi-shady places or else acidic, sandy soils and is collected in October. True star anise is an evergreen tree that grows up to 20 meters high. The leaves are relatively pointed and inversely ovate, and the flowers are deep red. The sheath of the flower consists of up to twelve leaves, and the plant also has eleven to twenty stamens and eight or nine carpels. The fruit of star anise is reddish-brown and has a diameter of about 3.5cm. Star anise prefers sunny to semi-shady places or else acidic, sandy soils and is collected in October. It is also known by the synonym China anise or badian. The spice came to Europe in 1588, when the navigator Sir Thomas Cavendish brought star anise from the Philippines. In 1726, the plant was mentioned for the first time in the apothecary tax of the Principality of Anhalt-Zerbst. Today, in the food industry as well as in pharmacy, star anise oil replaces the very expensive real anise oil, which is used as an additive for liqueurs, confectionery, toothpastes or various pharmaceutical preparations. In addition, star anise is also used for tea blends, which are then used to make mulled wine. If you want to grow star anise yourself, soak the seeds in a damp cloth for one night. Then put them in sandy soil, where they germinate best between 22 and 27 degrees. For culture is suitable bright, warm room, conservatory or greenhouse. It is also important to have high humidity, so the plant should be sprayed often. However, at first you can enjoy only the plant itself, because the fruits are formed only after 15 years.
Effect and application
Together with Szechuan pepper, clove, cassia cinnamon as well as fennel, true star anise is used as a five-spice powder in Chinese cuisine. In addition, the plant is often a component of Indian curries or Peking duck and is also used in the kitchen for fish and seafood, for baked goods and desserts with chestnuts, pears or figs, for Christmas cookies and for chutneys, jams and compotes. Furthermore, star anise is also needed to prepare a broth called lu-shui. For the aroma kitchen, a star anise oil can be made very easily by yourself. To do this, fill a screw-top jar with star anise and a vegetable oil, then let it sit for about fourteen days. This can then be used to refine winter baked goods. The casing of the star anise is very aromatic, so this is also ground and used. In a closed container, the spice can be stored for up to three years. True star anise has a licorice-like, sweet but also a slightly peppery taste. However, the plant is also used medicinally, in which case the dried collective fruits are used. These contain essential oil with active ingredients such as foeniculin, methylchavicol, anisaldehyde, linalool, pinene, limonene and flavonoids. Like anise, star anise has antispasmodic and expectorant properties and is used for respiratory catarrh, flatulence, bloating and mild cramps. Studies have also shown that star anise has analgesic, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Therefore, the plant is also used for lumbago, sciatic pain, tonsillitis and nerve pain, as well as bad breath and toothache. The antimicrobial properties are mainly due to the anethole present in the plant, which is effective against fungal strains, yeasts and bacteria. In addition, it also provides the so-called shikimic acid, which is used in the production of the influenza drug Tamiflu. A
urther, star anise also has an anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effect and for this reason is also used for skin diseases. In addition, anise oil is also produced from the true star anise, which can be found in numerous cough remedies.
Health significance, treatment and prevention.
Star anise is mainly used as a spice and in this way it can help with flatulence and digestive problems.In addition, the seeds can be used to prepare a tea that has a stimulating effect on digestion and is used for respiratory diseases. For the tea, a teaspoon of the freshly crushed seed is poured over 150ml of hot water. The mixture must steep for about 15 minutes before being strained. The essential oil should never be taken undiluted, as even a small amount can cause seizures, nausea, vomiting and pulmonary edema, respectively. The true star anise must not be confused with the Japanese star anise. The latter is similar to the true star anise in smell and appearance, but is poisonous and can cause bladder, kidney or liver damage. A tea made from star anise also helps with bad breath, as the polyphenols contained in the tea inhibit bacterial growth in the throat or mouth. In Asia in particular, star anise is very popular as a medicine, where it is mainly known and loved in traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda. In traditional Chinese medicine, star anise is used to regulate the flow of qi and relieve pain. Star anise can also be used to treat infantile colic. To do this, rub star anise oil warmed by hand in a clockwise direction on the baby’s abdomen in gentle movements, taking the navel as the center here.
