You know that adorable little eight-pointed star sitting pretty in your spice cabinet? That charming little thing that looks like nature's own Christmas ornament? Well, turns out it's been playing the long game this whole time.
Star anise isn't just pretty, it's practically pharmaceutical.
Now, before you roll your eyes and think I'm about to sell you some snake oil, let me hit you with some stone-cold science. The researchers over at the Journal of Ethnopharmacology recently took a deep dive into this little superstar (PubMed ID: 31997473), and what they found will make you look at your tea cup differently.
Star Anise for Wellness: Backed by Science
Here's the thing that gets me excited (yes, I get excited about spices. Don't judge): star anise is packed with shikimic acid, which is literally used to make Tamiflu, that antiviral medication. I'm talking about the same compound that Big Pharma harvests by the ton to help fight the flu.
What is star anise good for?
Star anise is great for many things: This little botanical wonder brings antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties to the table. It's like nature's Swiss Army knife, but in star form.
The research shows that star anise possesses a number of other potentials such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, antifungal, anthelmintic, insecticidal, secretolytic, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, gastroprotective, sedative properties, expectorant and spasmolytic, and estrogenic effects (Patra & Das, 2020). Basically, it's been multitasking for centuries while we just thought it made our tea taste fancy.
Real People, Real Results
But here's what gets me even more excited than the science - actual people sharing what star anise has done for them. Take this testimonial from a 71-year-old woman who shared her experience:
"I have had a tremor in my left arm... I used an elderberry syrup that contained elderberries, honey, ginger, Ceylon cinnamon, & Star Anise. On the 1st day, I thought there was a good deal of improvement but it was still there until I took a small dose the second day & it hasn't returned."
She was so amazed by the results that she planned to try star anise alone if the tremor ever came back.
Another person shared:
"I sucked on a piece of hard candy labeled 'Anise'. I had a chronic, very irritating cough. Immediately my cough stopped."Now that's what I call instant gratification!
And then there's this from someone dealing with respiratory issues:
"I have copd & use it when my lungs are particularly bad. I use a few drops of essential oil in a 8oz bottle of carrier oil like almond oil and rub that onto my chest."
These aren't paid testimonials or marketing fluff. These are real people discovering what traditional medicine practitioners have known for centuries—that star anise isn't just a pretty spice.
From Science to Your Teacup
At Lavender Life Farm, we've always believed in crafting teas that are as nurturing as they are delicious. Our Spice of LIFE Lavender Chai blends soothing lavender with a warm medley of spices—cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, black pepper, and yes, star anise.
The result? A cup that feels comforting, indulgent, and surprisingly functional. You're not just sipping a chai—you're enjoying a blend steeped in both tradition and research-backed wellness benefits.
Why We Include Star Anise
We chose star anise not only for its complex, slightly sweet licorice-like flavor, but also because of what it represents: the intersection of heritage and science. The PubMed study underscores its role as more than just a spice—it's an ingredient with the potential to support your body while delighting your taste buds.
The Real Talk About Real Wellness
Here's what I love about star anise—it doesn't need to brag. It doesn't need flashy marketing or promises that sound too good to be true. The research speaks for itself, and it's been quietly doing its job in traditional medicine for literally hundreds of years.
As noted in multiple studies, including comprehensive reviews in Phytotherapy Research, modern pharmacology studies have demonstrated that star anise crude extracts and active compounds possess wide pharmacological actions, especially in antimicrobial, antioxidant, insecticidal, analgesic, sedative and convulsive activities (Wang et al., 2011). Translation? Science is finally catching up to what grandmothers around the world have known all along.
Your New Favorite Daily Ritual
When you brew a cup of our Spice of LIFE Lavender Chai, you're not just making tea. You're creating a moment of intention. The lavender calms your mind, the traditional chai spices warm your spirit, and that little star anise? It's working behind the scenes, bringing centuries of wisdom and modern validation to your cup.
Because here's the truth: real wellness isn't about complicated protocols or expensive supplements. Sometimes it's about something as simple and extraordinary as choosing the right ingredients for your daily ritual.
Ready to give your tea game an upgrade? Our Spice of LIFE Lavender Chai is waiting to become part of your story.
Try it here: Spice of LIFE Lavender Chai Tea
References:
Patra, J. K., & Das, G. (2020). Star anise (Illicium verum): Chemical compounds, antiviral properties, and clinical relevance. Phytotherapy Research, 34(6), 1248-1267. PubMed ID: 31997473
Wang, G. W., Hu, W. T., Huang, B. K., & Qin, L. P. (2011). Illicium verum: a review on its botany, traditional use, chemistry and pharmacology. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 136(1), 10-20. PubMed ID: 21549817
