What damage does star anise cause to humans? We have received the following questions. What damage does star anise cause to humans? Is star anise dangerous? And what are the contraindications of star anise?
Seed analysis has been used since ancient times.
The plant was cultivated and its seeds used as a spice in ancient Egypt, an application later adopted by the Greeks and Romans.
It is mainly the seeds (botanically they are fruits) of the plant and the essential oil extracted from them that are used both as medicinal herbs and in cooking.
Additionally, the flowers and leaves of the anise plant make a great addition to salads or as a garnish.
The flavor is very distinct and is often compared to licorice root and fennel.
Today, it is commonly available in seed, tincture, or oil form and is widely used, for example, as a flavoring in teas, confectionery, desserts, and liqueurs such as Ouzo, Anisette, Pernod, Pastis, and Arrack.
The essential oil obtained from the crushed seeds is used as an ingredient in many perfumes, lotions, soaps, and creams, and is also added to some toothpastes and mouthwashes.
A common misconception is that star anise (Illicium verum), a plant native to China, and aniseed are the same plant species, but are unrelated and belong to different plant families.
Even so, they have a similar aroma and flavor, and the chemical composition of their essential oils is very similar.
Anise seeds are used more in Western cooking, mainly in Greece and France, while star anise is more common in Asian dishes.
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What is anise used for?
Most of the uses and health benefits of the analyzed seeds are based on traditional and popular medicine applications, but some in recent years have been validated by scientific methods.
However, further studies and clinical trials are needed to confirm the effectiveness of the seeds as herbal medicine.
People have used the seeds externally and internally, for example, the following conditions:
bad breath
indigestion
intestinal gas
cough
bronchitis
asthma
diuretic
menstrual pain
nausea
scabies
flees
lice
libido
constipation
The seeds are considered to have antispasmodic, sedative, digestive, antifungal, expectorant, galactagogue, diuretic, carminative, estrogenic, aphrodisiac, bactericidal and fungicidal properties.
When taken internally, the seeds have been used to relieve indigestion, colic, gas, halitosis, stomach bloating, abdominal cramps, and to eliminate nausea. What damage does star anise cause to humans?
The seeds are considered to have diuretic (increased urine production) and diaphoretic (increased sweating) properties and have also been used for their antiseptic effects.
Tease oil works as an expectorant, which means it can help cough up mucus in conditions like asthma, bronchitis, the common cold, and whooping cough. Therefore, it is used as an ingredient in cough syrups and lozenges. 2
The essential oil in the seeds contains the substance anethole, which in chemical structure is similar to dopamine, adrenaline, norepinephrine, and ephedrine, all of which have bronchodilator (dilates the bronchi and bronchioles) properties. 3
The seeds also have mild estrogenic effects, most likely due to the presence of diantheole and photoantheole in the oil.
Which explains why the seeds have traditionally been used to promote lactation in lactating mothers, increase libido, and alleviate PMS symptoms. What damage does star anise cause to humans?
Ointments, lotions, and soaps that contain anise oil can help as a natural remedy for oily skin and treat impurities such as mild acne.
As the oil is poisonous to many insects, it has been added to lotions and ointments and used as a natural treatment for scabies and lice infestations.
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Active substance
Ripe anise seeds contain about 2.5% of the fragrant essential oil (anise oil) which is responsible for most of the beneficial effect associated with them.
Also know Anise oil benefits for skin, hair and more
The oil is mainly composed of anethole and its derivatives, such as diantheole and photoantheole. Also present are methyl chavicol and para-methoxyphenylacetone, flavonoids such as quercetin, lipids, sterols, and coumarins. Let’s see, next, the star anise contraindications and side effects.
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What damage does star anise cause to humans?
Anise oil is not without its side effects, as large amounts used internally can cause nausea and vomiting, seizures, and even pulmonary edema. Therefore, the pure oil should not be used internally as pulmonary edema has occurred after ingestion of as little as 1-5 ml of pure anise oil.
When applied externally, the pure oil can cause skin irritations. Therefore, the oil is formulated with other emollients to form an ointment in which the oil is sufficiently diluted to be safe.
As with all natural products, allergies can also develop which can be life threatening. Rashes, swelling of the skin or tongue, difficulty breathing, and tightness in the chest could indicate an allergic reaction, in which case a doctor should be consulted immediately.
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When to avoid star anise tea
Star anise tea is safe for most adults and children 5 years and older. However, star anise should be avoided for infants or if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, as there is insufficient evidence to ensure its safety. Also, it can be very harmful if you consume the toxic variety of Japanese star anise.
Due to its estrogenic effect, star anise tea is also not recommended for people with ovarian, breast, uterine, or liver cancer, or if they have endometriosis.
Consult your doctor if you are not sure whether to consume star anise tea.
If you want to know more about what damage star anise causes to humans, you can formulate it in the comments section.
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