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Star anise
八角茴香 〔八角茴香〕bā jiǎo huí xiāng
Latin pharmacognostic name: Anisi Stellati Fructus%#%
Alternate English names: Chinese aniseed
Alternate Chinese names: 八角 bā jiǎo; 大茴 dà huí; 大茴香 dà huí xiāng; 舶上茴香 bó shàng huí xiāng
Kingdom: Plant
Origin in PRC Pharmacopoeia: Illicium verum Hook. F. (PRC Pharmacopoeia)
Origin (other sources): Illicium verum Hook. f.
Use: Medicinal and alimentary
Category: Interior-warming agents
Properties: Similar to xiǎo huí xiāng.
Channel entry: Spleen and kidney channels.
Indications:
Like xiǎo huí xiáng, bā jiǎo huí xiāng contains huí xiāng
in the Chinese name. Although it is not botanically related to xiǎo huí xiāng, its actions are similar. Bā jiǎo huí xiāng is also called dà huí xiāng; it refers to the seed pods and seeds of star anise. It is mostly used as a seasoning in cookery because its medicinal action is weaker than that of xiǎo huí xiāng.
Dosage & Method: Oral: Decoct (3–6g); can also be used in pills and powders.
Product Description: This fruit is composed of eight reddish-brown follicles, 0.5–2 cm long and 0.5–1.2 cm high, radiating from a common axis. Each follicle bears irregular wrinkles on the outside and has a suture along one edge that is often split open, revealing the smoother interior surface, and smooth shiny ovate seed of the same color contained within. The seed is very brittle and breaks open to reveal a white interior. It has a characteristic aniseed flavor, which is similar to that of fennel, as reflected in the literal meaning of the Chinese name.
Quality: Best are strong-smelling large unbroken reddish ones with a high oil content.
Product Area: Fújiàn, Guǎngdōng, Guǎngxī, Yúnnán, Guìzhōu, Táiwān.
Etymology: The term bā jiǎo huí xiāng 八角茴香, literally eight-horned fennel,
reflects the shape of this item, and the similarity of its flavor to that of fennel seed.
See also: Xiǎo huí xiāng (小茴香 Foeniculi Fructus, fennel [fruit])
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