Star Anise (Illicium griffithii Hook. f. and Thoms.): A Tree Spice from High Altitude Region of Arunachal Pradesh

Abstract

Star anise, a tree species normally regarded as one of the valuable spice is normally observed in the high altitude region of Arunachal Pradesh. This spice has been an integral part in the social and traditional life of the native tribal of the region since yore. Star anise is utilized in different ways viz. for savouring local cuisines, flavouring tea, used as a medicine to cure various ailments etc. With the demand in pharmaceutical industries the spice thus contributes to the livelihood security of the locals. Further, Possessing good amount of nutritional values makes this spice a valuable crop for nutritional security. However, they remain largely underutilized and people are unaware of the nutritional factor though inadvertently utilized. Simultaneously, lack of consciousness and awareness coupled with habitat destruction may lead to the genetic erosion and threatened the species resource, which ultimately need to be conserved and further studies are required for its nutrient and phyto-pharmacological properties. Though it has much importance in commercial purposes, research and knowledge on this species is meagre and its utilization for human consumption has not yet been fully exploited.