Anise

“Anís estrellado: DANGER. Star anise infusions were the Spanish abuela's remedy for colic, the "anisado". After serious poisonings with convulsions in previously healthy infants, many under three months, Spain's Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo withdrew star anise from the market in October 2001. The infusions were contaminated with Japanese star anise (Illicium anisatum), very toxic (Anales de Pediatría 2002, Consumer Eroski). A Spanish case report describes liver failure in a four-month-old given a homemade star anise and green anise brew. Never for babies and small children, no exceptions.”

“Anís verde (Pimpinella anisum, green anise). Digestive infusion, the anise of the biscuits. For adults. Never for babies, never confused with anís estrellado.”

“Hidden drugs in webshop slimming teas, vitality pills and patent medicines: sibutramine (about one in five herbal slimming products), sildenafil, steroids, even warfarin. Eczema creams that work miraculously fast: 8 of 11 London creams held dexamethasone. Also star anise tea for babies.”

“The toko soup pack. A bag of dried roots, dates and seeds for one pot. Liang teaches people to read it: the red dates, goji, lotus seed, fox nut and Chinese yam are food, the roots and barks are herbs. Anyone on medicine, pregnant or breastfeeding, or in an Always-Refer group asks the pharmacist first. Buy from a trusted shop. One line: star anise tea is never for babies.”

“Herbal teas and distillates for milk (fennel, anise and others): the midwife or pharmacist first, as for every breastfeeding mother.”

“The shelf, as knowledge. Seeds of the carrot family such as fennel, anise and cumin are bought for the kitchen and the household. In the kitchen they are food.”