Star anise oil is a highly fragrant oil used in cooking, perfumery, soaps, toothpastes, mouthwashes, and skin creams
 
It is used as a spice in preparation of biryani and masala chai all over the Indian Subcontinent. It is widely used in Chinese cuisine, and in Malay and Indonesian cuisines. It is widely grown for commercial use in China, India, and most other countries in Asia. Star anise is an ingredient of the traditional five – spice powder of Chinese cooking. It is also a major ingredient in the making of pho, a Vietnamese noodle soup.
 
It is also used in the French recipe of mulled wine, called vin chaud (hot wine). If allowed to steep in coffee, it deepens and enriches the flavor. The pods can be reused in this manner multiple times by the pot-full or cup, as the ease of extraction of the taste components increases with the permeation of hot water.