Anise (Star)-My Kitchen Herb of the Week

Illicium Verum

Moon, Uranus
Aquarius
Funereal Herbe...Herbe of Consecration...Herbe of
Protection...Magickal Herbe...Religious Herbe
Also called: Chinese Anise, star anise

LORE:
Grieve includes some essential lore in her text.  According to her,
the Japanese hold this herbe sacred. It is planted on temple grounds
and burial sites, where it will bring sacred energies of protection
and benefience.  The bark is collected from the tree, ground into a
powder and used as temple incense.


USAGE:
It is always helpful to have solid lore upon which to base magickal
usage.  Powdered stars may be used as incense (or added to your
existing mixture) either to invoke the dieties of your choice or to
assist in banishing all negative energies.  As a Magickal Herbe, star
anise is ideal for learning to live with the trust and joy of the
Fool card of the major arcana.

Star anise is difficult to grow in most of the continental United
States, but where possible it may be grown at burial sites.  The
herbe may also be included in the ritual cup used at rituals of death
and dying.  An infusion is an excellent drink for a person who is
nearing the time for passing into the Otherworld.

Star anise has been included in herbal formulae for the consecration
of ritual cups and chalices.


Star Anise is so named from the stellate form of its fruit. It is
often chewed in small quantities after each meal to promote digestion
and sweeten the breath.
Medicinal Action and Uses

Carminative, stimulant, diuretic.

The fruit is used in the East as a remedy for colic and rheumatism,
and in China for seasoning dishes, especially sweets.

The Japanese plant the tree in their temples and on tombs; and use
the pounded bark as incense.

The homoeopaths prepare a tincture from the seeds.

From A Modern Herbal and Full Moon Paradise

Anise-
Anise (Pimpinella Anisum, also known as Florence Fennel and Finocchio) has been used for thousands of years, as a flavoring, breath sweetener, digestive aid, cough suppressant, air freshener, mousetrap bait, and more recently as the scent on the artificial rabbit that is used in greyhound races. Not to be confused with Star Anise...an entirely different plant.

Magickal Uses: Anise burned as incense before bed will promote prophetic dreams. It is used to help one find romance. Anise is a prosperity herb, and brings happiness. It is also said it helps protect one from bad dreams, and helps protect you while you are moving through the astral plane.

Medicinal and Other Uses: Anise is used in aromatherapy, for it has a distinctively licorice taste and smell. This carminative is known to relieve flatulence. It is an expectorant, anti-microbial, digestive aid, breath freshener, mild estrongenic, insecticide, anti-spasmodic, antiseptic, aromatic, and diuretic.