Star anise (Baaydanful) is the dried, star-shaped fruit of Illicium verum. It is dark-brown in colour with eight segments. It has a sweetish liquorice taste. The star-shaped fruits are picked just before ripening and dried before use. They contain the same essential oil as the botanically unrelated Spanish anise seed, which gives the two a nearly identical flavour - strong, sweet, and liquorice.

The oil produced from star anise contains thymol, terpineol and anethole, which is used for treating cough and flu.

Anise also helps improve digestion, alleviate cramps and reduce nausea.

Consuming star anise tea after meals helps treat digestive ailments such as bloating, gas, indigestion and constipation.

Its antioxidant properties fight free radicals

Boosts immunity in women

Fights fungal infections such as Candidiasis

Controls running nose in infants