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Star anise, known as 'bajiao' in China, provides the principal component of the medicine Tamiflu which is the only known treatment for bird flu, Beijing, Saturday 22 October 2005. The distinctive spice is used widely in Chinese cuisine and medicine. It is now the subject of concern as governments around the world are stockpiling Tamiflu and planning to ramp up production as the Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche which is unable to keep up with demand allows wider licensing in order to prepare for a potential pandemic. The chemical shikumic acid is derived from star anise seeds. Star anise is sourced almost entirely from four Chinese provinces and harvested in the springtime. (KEYSTONE/EPA/ADRIAN BRADSHAW)