Illicium, Star Anise, Da Hui Xiang 大茴香

Anisum Stellatum
Da Hui Xiang (TCM)
Badyan Khatai (Unani)
Picture Star Anise
Icones Plantarum Medcio-oeconomico, Vietz, 1800–1806

Picture Museum Museorum, Valentini, 1704

Picture Star Anise fruit
(Photo by Sanjay Acharya) (Wikimedia)

Botanical name:


Illicium spp.:
  1. I. verum
  2. I. anisatum (Japanese Star Anise)

Parts used:


Fruit

Temperature & Taste:


Very Warm, dry. Pungent

Classification:


M. Warm to Expel Cold

Uses:


1. Moves Qi::
-Wind, colic, bloating
-spasmodic pain of the Stomach or Intestines
-Hernia

2. Clears Damp, Awakens the Spleen:
-indigestion, loose stool
-poor appetite (Commission E)
-Morning Sickness

3. Warms the Kidneys, Clears Wind-Damp:
-promotes Urine when obstructed by Cold or Damp
-Lower back pain from Cold Kidneys
-Rheumatism
-Paralysis

4. Clears Phlegm, Stops Cough:
-Cold Cough, Bronchitis (Commission E)
-Catarrh

5. Externally:
-distilled oil can be used topically for fungal infections


Dose:


Decoction: 3–9 grams
Powder: 500mg–3 grams

Substitute:


1. Fennel seed; Aniseed

Main Combinations:


In TCM it is often combined with Fennel, especially for cold pain of the lower abdomen, and for Hernia. Aniseed is of course also regularly combined with Fennel seed in the Western Tradition.

1. Catarrh, Gout, Pruritus, Sassafras with Sage, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Star Anise
2. Fever, Menyanthes with Willow bark, Ceylon Cinnamon, Cinchona, Gentian, Star Anise

Cautions:


1. Not used in Deficient Heat

Main Preparations used:


Distilled Oil