Star Anise Pods, whole

Illicium verum

Origin: China
Form: Whole Pods with some broken pieces
Unit size: 1 ounce
Other names: Aniseed Stars, Chinese Anise, Badiana, Badian, Badiana, Anise Star
Esoteric Uses: Psychic development and protection, divination, nightmare prevention, dreams
Esoteric Associations: Mercury, Air
Incense Aroma: Very similar to licorice

The eastern cousin to the western spice, Anise, Anise Star can also be heard commonly referred to as star aniseed, badian, chinse star anise, and badiana. The fruit of a small tree that originated in Vietnam and China, it is now produced almost exclusively in China. Not to be confused with Japanese Star Anise, which is often used to make incense, Chinese Star Anise (or simply Anise Star), has long been held in Traditional Chinese Medicine as a potent aid in soothing and curing long-lingering colds , as well for its use in soothing flatulence, helping with digestion, and aiding with illness associated with the urinary track, such as kidney stones. To this end, the fruit was sometimes chewed after dinner in china both as an aid for bad breath as well as to aid in digestion as described above. More modern uses for this wonderful, star-shaped fruit have adhered quite closely to the uses known to older Chinese Medicine. Today, the seeds are still chewed after a meal to aid with digestion, and it has spread in use to cooking, and is known as a common ingredient in Chinese, Indian, Malay-Indonesian, and Vietnamese dishes. It is also widely used to treat colds and similar illnesses, and is actually used to produce a key ingredient for a well known, modern cold medicine. In addition, Star Anise has been used in the East as a remedy for colic and rheumatism and in pastries and deserts. In Japan the trees are sometimes planted in temples or on tombs. These Anise Star Pods come from China.

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