Title: Star Anise

Additional Names: Chinese anise

Literature References: Fruit of Illicium verum Hook. f., Magnoliaceae. Habit. Southeastern Asia and subtropical countries; commercial supply chiefly from China. Constit. About 5% volatile and fixed oils; anisic acid, tannin, resin, pectin. Note: Japanese star anise is Illicium anisatum L. (I. religiosum Sieb. & Zucc.; I. japonicum Sieb.) and contains a toxic lactone called anisatin. Chinese star anise does not contain this toxic principle. Shikimic acid has been found in both.

Use: Manufacture of liqueurs and the volatile oil. The fruit as source of oil of anise.

Therap-Cat: Hemostatic.