9 Surprising Star Anise Benefits

This star-shaped spice is highly desired due to its active chemical compounds, particularly those found in star anise oil. This herb also contains a compound called shikimic acid, an essential part of anti-influenza medications worldwide. The most interesting thing is that extracting and processing this acid takes almost a year. The global demand for influenza medications largely determines the cost of this herb. However, due to its flavor, this herb has been used for thousands of years for culinary and traditional medical applications, closely resembling the more expensive aniseed and its rich nutrient density. The name star anise is a combination of its shape and its similarity in flavor to aniseed.