Star anise is an ancient Chinese remedy that can offer our bodies protection against certain viral, fungal and bacterial infections.
Although many people in the west recognise it first as a spice as it is prominently used in many Southeast Asian recipes, star anise is well-known in aromatherapeutic circles for its health-boosting properties.
How does star anise oil work?
Although star anise is used in relatively small amounts, it can still pack a punch and deliver a host of powerful health benefits.
For example, star anise contains quite a few notable bioactive compounds, all of which are recognised as offering significant contributions to our wellbeing.
It is particularly dense in polyphenols and flavonoids, which could be the main reason for the fruit’s many medicinal benefits, including its anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antimicrobial properties.
Star anise contains compounds such as gallic acid, limonene, anethole, linalool and quercetin, which have been highlighted by several studies for their health-boosting abilities.
What are the benefits of star anise oil?
The natural benefits of star anise essential oil suggest that it could be used to:
1. Help relieve some flu symptoms
The flu virus tends to last from October through to May, bringing with it a host of unwanted symptoms.
It may also explain why warm, expectorant oils, like star anise, tend to be in heavy rotation during this period too.
Shikimic acid is one of the main agents used in pharmaceuticals to give protection against and the treatment of the influenza virus, a chemical that is a key component of star anise.
Other studies have also identified that star anise could prove useful against other viral infections, demonstrating a certain level of antiviral activity against a strain of the herpes virus.
Post time: Jun-20-2025