Anise Green vs Illicium verum

Classic Mediterranean and Middle Eastern culinary and medicinal herb used since ancient Egypt for digestive conditions and as expectorant.

East Asian spice; rich in anethole and shikimic acid (Tamiflu precursor); digestive and antiviral properties.

trans-anethole, pseudoisoeugenol, estragole, flavonoids, furocoumarins

anethole, shikimic acid, estragole, foeniculin, flavonoids

Digestive conditions and colic since ancient Egypt, Respiratory and expectorant in Middle Eastern medicine, Galactagogue for nursing mothers, Menstrual support

digestive complaints, cough, antiviral, infant colic, menstrual disorders

Carminative, Expectorant, Antispasmodic, Estrogenic mild, Galactagogue

digestive carminative, expectorant, antiviral source (shikimic acid), anti-inflammatory

1-3g seeds as tea 3x daily; 1-2ml tincture 3x daily

1-3g pods as tea 2-3x/day; 300-500mg extract

Pregnancy in medicinal doses, Estrogen-sensitive conditions

pregnancy (large doses), estrogen-sensitive conditions, Japanese star anise (toxic species) confusion

Rare photosensitivity, Allergic reactions

estrogenic effects, GI upset, neurotoxicity if Japanese star anise confused