Health Benefits of Star Anise

Medically reviewed by Kierra Brown, RD

Star anise (Illicium verum) is an evergreen tree belonging to the Magnolia family that's native to the southwest of China and Vietnam. It produces star-shaped, aromatic fruits that have culinary and medicinal purposes.

Star anise has long been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to treat conditions such as insomnia, rheumatoid arthritis, and skin diseases.

It contains plant compounds that have powerful antioxidant, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties which could benefit health in several ways.

However, there is limited research on the health benefits of star anise, and most of the research available is based on test tube and animal studies. While these studies show promise, it's unclear if the benefits would be the same for human health.

Has Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Properties

Star anise gets its licorice-like flavor from star anise essential oil (SAO), which is known to have powerful antiviral effects. SAO contains trans-anethole, which has significant antimicrobial activity.

Test tube studies have found that SAO is effective against a variety of microbes, including pathogenic food-borne bacteria, such as E. coli. and S. aureus.

In addition to its antimicrobial properties, SAO may also help protect against damage caused by E. coli. in animals.

SAO has strong antioxidant effects and may help protect against cellular damage and increase natural antioxidant defenses, which may benefit animals infected with harmful bacteria such as E. coli. One study found that supplementation with SAO was effective in preventing E. coli.-induced oxidative damage in the blood and liver of chickens. However, it's unclear if star anise would have the same protective effects in humans.

Some studies have found star anise has antiviral activity against certain strains of the flu. Star anise is high in the antiviral compound shikimic acid, which is a key ingredient in the influenza medication Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate).

While it's clear that star anise has antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, there's currently a lack of studies investigating these potential health effects in humans.

May Have Anti-Obesity and Lipid-Lowering Properties

While research is limited, some animal study findings suggest that consuming star anise may help combat obesity and high blood lipid levels. Star anise is a concentrated source of polyphenols and terpenoid compounds that have blood lipid-lowering and anti-obesity activities.

Some researchers suggest that star anise may be effective for protecting against weight gain and weight-related health issues such as high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. One study found that star anise tea given in doses of 250 and 500 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight was comparable to the weight loss medication orlistat (Alli) at protecting against weight gain caused by a high-sugar and high-fat diet in rats.

The rats treated with the star anise tea also had significant reductions in their triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and VLDL cholesterol levels compared to the control group. The researchers suggested that the blood lipid-lowering effects of the star anise tea treatment may have been related to star anise's high polyphenol concentration, which may decrease fat accumulation and inhibit enzymes involved in the digestion of fat, such as pancreatic lipase.

Although star anise treatments seem to be effective for lowering blood lipids and reducing weight gain in rodents, there's no evidence that star anise would have the same effects in humans.

Has Important Culinary Uses

Star anise has been used as a culinary spice for thousands of years and is commonly used in Asian cuisine. It's an essential ingredient in Chinese Five Spice, a spice blend typically made of star anise, cloves, cinnamon, Sichuan pepper, and fennel seeds.

Star anise has a warming, sweet taste similar to cloves, which works well in savory dishes such as curries and pho, a traditional Vietnamese noodle dish. Whole star anise pods are often simmered with other herbs and spices, such as fennel seeds, to make flavorful broths.

Its licorice-like flavor and aromatic scent make it a popular ingredient in sweet foods, like candies and pastries, as well as in drinks, like tea and mulled wine.

Star anise is sold in whole pod and ground form. For the best flavor, it's recommended to use whole pods or to grind star anise pods into a fresh powder using a spice grinder or a mortar and pestle.

Star anise has a strong flavor that can easily overpower dishes, so it's important to add star anise in small increments until the flavor is to your liking.

Risks of Star Anise

Star anise is generally safe when consumed in small amounts. However, excessive consumption of star anise may cause severe skin allergies in certain people.

Additionally, star anise concoctions, like star anise tea, have been shown to cause intoxication in babies. A recent case study reported that a four-week-old infant was brought to the hospital with seizures, irritability, and uncontrollable jerking movements after being fed an herbal mixture containing Chinese star anise as a natural treatment for colic.

Excessive consumption of tea containing star anise may also be unsafe for people who are breastfeeding. Anethole, one of the main active compounds in star anise, can be transferred through breast milk and be harmful to breastfeeding infants when consumed in large amounts. Because it can lead to dangerous, potentially life-threatening side effects, do not give star anise to babies or young children unless it's approved by a licensed healthcare provider.

Also, it's important to note that although Chinese star anise is considered safe for most people, Japanese star anise (Illicium anisatum) contains the neurotoxin sesquiterpene dilactone anisatin, which can cause serious side effects such as hallucinations, seizures, and nausea when consumed. There have been reports of poisoning due to consumption of Chinese star anise contaminated with Japanese star anise.

For this reason, it's important to purchase star anise products from reputable suppliers.

Tips for Consuming Star Anise

Star anise is known for its powerful, licorice-like flavor and aroma. It can be used in a number of sweet and savory dishes, making it a smart addition to your spice cabinet.

Here are a few ways to use star anise:

• Add whole star anise pods to soups, stews, and broths.

• Use star anise when marinating meat, poultry, and fish.

• Incorporate ground star anise into baked goods like cakes and muffins.

• Use star anise pods to infuse flavor into cocktails, cider, and mulled wine.

• Make a star anise tea by infusing hot water with crushed star anise pods, cinnamon, and tea leaves.

• Give a kick of flavor to hot chocolate and coffee drinks by boiling the liquid with star anise and cinnamon, then straining before serving.

To help your star anise stay fresh and flavorful for as long as possible, store both fresh and ground star anise in an air-tight container in a cool and dark place. To assess freshness and potency, break off and crush the tip of the star anise pod. Fresh star anise has a powerful, sweet aroma. A weak aroma indicates that the spice has lost its pungency and may need to be replaced.

A Quick Review

Star anise is a spice commonly used in Asian cuisine. It has a powerful, licorice-like flavor and sweet aroma, adding interest and depth to recipes like curries, cakes, and soups.

Star anise contains various substances with antioxidant, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties, though research on star anise's impact on human health is limited.

Star anise can be used in a variety of ways in the kitchen and can add flavor and potential health-promoting compounds to your favorite dishes.

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