Illicium, Star Anise, Da Hui Xiang, 大茴香

Anisum Stellatum
Da Hui Xiang (TCM)
Badyan Khatai (Unani)

Icones Plantarum Medcio-oeconomico, Vietz, 1800–1806

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Botanical name:
Illicium verum

Parts used:
Fruit

Temperature & Taste:
Very Warm, dry. Pungent

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

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