Illicium verum

Illicium verum is a medium-sized evergreen tree native to northeast Vietnam and southwest China. A spice commonly called star anise, staranise, star anise seed, Chinese star anise, or badian that closely resembles anise in flavor is obtained from the star-shaped pericarps of the fruit of I. verum which are harvested just before ripening. Star anise oil is a highly fragrant oil used in cooking, perfumery, soaps, toothpastes, mouthwashes, and skin creams. About 90% of the world's star anise crop is used for extraction of shikimic acid, a chemical intermediate used in the synthesis of oseltamivir (Tamiflu).

Description

Illicium verum is a medium-sized evergreen tree native to northeast Vietnam and southwest China. The fruit of I. verum is a star-shaped pericarp that closely resembles anise in flavor. The fruit is harvested just before ripening and is used in cooking, perfumery, soaps, toothpastes, mouthwashes, and skin creams.

Uses

Star anise is an ingredient of the traditional five-spice powder of Chinese cooking. It is also a major ingredient in the making of phở, a Vietnamese noodle soup. It is also used in the French recipe of mulled wine, called vin chaud (hot wine). If allowed to steep in coffee, it deepens and enriches the flavor.

Health Benefits

Star anise has been used in a tea as a remedy for rheumatism, and the seeds are sometimes chewed after meals to aid digestion. As a warm and moving herb, star anise is used to assist in relieving cold-stagnation in the middle jiao, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Production

Star anise is grown in four provinces in China and harvested between March and May. It is also found in the south of New South Wales. The shikimic acid is extracted from the seeds in a 10-stage manufacturing process which takes a year.

See Also

• Anise
• Chinese cuisine
• Traditional Chinese Medicine
• Shikimic acid
• Oseltamivir

References

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  Dried star anise fruit seeds
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  Star aniseed back view
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  Illicium verum