Therapeutic Uses
Antiviral Capabilities – One of the most popular pharmacologically relevant attributes of star anise is its shikimic acid content. Shikimic acid is a compound with strong antiviral capabilities. In fact, it’s one of the main active ingredients in Tamiflu, a popular medication for the treatment of influenza. Currently, star anise is the primary source of shikimic acid used for pharmaceutical product development. As the influenza pandemic continues to mount as a threat to global health, the demand for star anise is on the rise. Some test-tube research has also shown that the essential oil of star anise may treat other types of viral infections, including herpes simplex type 1. Though star anise is frequently used for treating influenza, more research is needed to further understand its potential to treat other viral infections in humans.
Antifungal Properties – Star anise is a rich source of the flavonoid anethole. This compound is responsible for the spice’s distinct flavor and offers potent antifungal benefits. Some agricultural research has found that trans-anethole derived from star anise may inhibit the growth of pathogenic fungi in certain edible crops. Test-tube research indicates that other bioactive compounds found in star anise essential oil, like terpene linalool, may suppress biofilm and cell wall formation of infectious fungi in humans. More research is needed to better understand the applications for star anise to treat fungal infections in humans.
Antibacterial Benefits – Another important medicinal benefit of star anise is its ability to inhibit bacterial growth implicated in a variety of common illnesses. Some research has revealed that star anise extract is as effective as antibiotics against multiple drug-resistant pathogenic bacteria. This may be particularly useful for future development of new antibiotic medications. Test-tube studies have also shown that bioactive compounds in star anise may be effective in treating urinary tract infections caused by different bacteria. A separate study revealed star anise extract to be somewhat effective in reducing the growth of E. coli on a petri dish, though it wasn’t as effective as current, more common antibiotic treatments. At this time, most research on the antibacterial properties of star anise is limited to animal and test-tube studies. More studies are needed to better understand how this spice may be used to support human health.
Medicinal Uses: * Antibacterial * Antifungal * Antiviral
Side Effects: Some chemicals in star anise can cause skin problems including swelling, scaling, and blisters. There isn’t enough reliable information to know if star anise is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use. There have been case reports of severe, potentially fatal reactions to star anise in infants. It is presumed that these cases were due to unknown contamination with Japanese star anise. Thus, it’s recommended that star anise is not given to infants and children
Drug Interactions: None noted
