Anise Star Essential Oil
Star anise, star aniseed or Chinese star anise, is a spice that closely resembles anise in flavor, obtained from the star-shaped pericarp of Illicium verum, a small native evergreen tree of southwest China. The star shaped fruits are harvested before they ripen, then sun dried. It is widely used in Chinese cuisine, in Indian cuisine where it is a major component of garam masala, and in Indonesian cuisine. It is widely grown for commercial use in China, India, and most other countries in Asia. Star anise is an ingredient of the traditional five-spice powder of Chinese cooking. It is also one of the ingredients used to make the broth for the Vietnamese noodle soup called ph?. It is used as a spice in preperation of Biryani in Andhrapradesh a south Indian State.
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| Botanical Name: | Illicium verum Hook.f. |
| Family: | Illiciaceae |
| Synonyms: | Chinese anise, illicium, Chinese star anise, aniseed stars, badiana, semen badiana, anisi stellata fructus |
| See Also: | Star Anise Leaf |
| Parts Used: | Sun dried seeds |
| Extraction Method: | Steam Distillation |
| Appearance: | Colourless to pale yellow liquid |
| Aroma Description: | Powerful and liquorice-like |
| Perfume note: | Top |
| Consistancy: | Thin |
| Strength of Initial Aroma: | Strong |
| Blends well with: | Rose, lavender, orange, and spicy oils. |
| Historical Uses: | In Japan the star anise seeds have been chewed to sweeten the breath, and the bark used as incense, In China the oil and seeds have been used to stimulate digestion, and for respiratory disorders, bronchitis, coughs etc. |
| Modern Uses: | Anise promotes digestion, improves appetite, alleviates cramps and nausea, cough, colds, and relieves flatulence, bad breath, and, especially in infants, colic. It is said to be useful as an expectorant for coughs. Said to promote the onset of menstruation when taken as an infusion. It has also been used to help relieve cramping, and spasms and is good as a stomatic. |
| Cautions: | Use in moderation, as it can be a narcotic, Do not use if pregnant. Possible skin irritant. Avoid during pregnancy or breastfeeding. |
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