Star anise is very healthy. This peculiar flavor spice is widely used all over the planet to prepare teas, juices, soups, drinks, and widely cultivated in Vietnam and China.
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And it has a star shape and appearance similar to wood, sweet smelling and unique.
What many are unaware of is that the intake of this little spice offers several health benefits.
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benefits of star anise
star anise has stimulating function in digestive enzymes and in producing saliva, making digestion more fluid and light.
Ingested in teas, anise also helps to avoid the composition of gases and swelling, not to mention being rich in fibers, which favors the proper functioning of the intestines.
Combat Respiratory Problem
Starry anise has antibacterial and antifungal properties, which help to control and prevent congestion in the nasal passages, and cleaning the respiratory tract, which is why several syrups contain anise in their composition.
Star anise tea is indicated for people who suffer from asthma, dry cough, flu, bronchitis, colds.
Benefit for Women
It is efficient in combating symptoms of the menstrual period, and will stimulate milk production during breastfeeding.
Beneficial for Skin
Star anise has volatile oils that exhibit antibacterial and antiseptic properties, preventing acne breakouts.
Such oils are also effective in treating bruises and cuts.
Beneficial to the Brain
Rich in B complex vitamins, star anise is able to stimulate the proper functioning of the entire nervous system, help keep brain cells active, and even suppresses homocysteine composition, responsible for the effect of dementia.
bad breath
Because it has a striking and intense flavor, as well as antibacterial properties, star anise efficiently fights bad breath, thus, it is present in the composition of toothpaste.
And it can be chewed to avoid bad breath.
Combats Back Pain and Rheumatism
Aniseed essential oil has been applied to combat pain generated by rheumatism, and even to relieve back pain. For this, it is necessary to use oil, and consuming tea does not have the same effect.
Stimulation of Red Blood Cell Composition
Star anise is rich in copper and iron, which are essential minerals to form red blood cells.
- Immunity
Rich in vitamin C and linolool, star anise is an antioxidant that will improve the health of the immune system against disease and free radicals.
- Contraindications and Side Effects
Starry anise is contraindicated for lactating and pregnant women, and should also be avoided by people with hyperestrogenism, and should not be used by babies and children under the age of 10 years.
Star anise side effects include allergic skin and respiratory reaction, nausea, vomiting if consumed excessively.
- Star Anise Bath
In certain esoteric practices, star anise bath is used to generate a feeling of well-being and lightness.
Star anise bath can be prepared by immersion in a bathtub with star anise or through running water, with the application of a mixture of hot water, at a pleasant temperature, with the plant.
Star anise bath can also include more relaxing herbs and essential oils.
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Star anise is a plant originating in China, where it is often used to season seafood and meat, due to its characteristic sweet aroma.
And, anise has medicinal properties that can help in alleviate and combat health problems.
Benefits of aniseed tea are related to its actions on the digestive system.
Thus, the drink is aimed at treating intestinal and stomach spasms, gas, colic, digestive process pain.
And, the consumption of liquid also acts to improve breath.
More Benefits
Using anise seeds in tea can also be important in the case of mild diarrhea in young children, not to mention relieving symptoms of bronchitis and asthma, as the tea will clear the airways and help to dissolve secretions.
The seeds, like tea, can also be used to disguise the taste of medicines, which sometimes prove to be very unpleasant, and can be used to compose incense.
The most used parts of star anise are the fruits to prepare oils, infusions and teas.
For starry anise infusion, use 2 whole starry anise stars, for every 1 liter of boiling water, and let it rest for 10 minutes. Consume 1 cup, 3 to 4 times daily.
Property of the Natural Repellent
The study published by the National University of Singapore distilled the main active compound from star anise through vaporization and tested its repellent abilities on the 2 beetle species.
The conclusion of the study is that the active compound of star anise has toxic effects on adult beetles of Tribolium castaneum and Sitophilus zeamais species.
But, poisoned insects managed to recover after being removed from exposure to the toxin.
Thus, anethole present in star anise showed very weak repellent activity in relation to the 2 beetle species.
Sedative, analgesic and convulsive effects
Elsevier Magazine published the study that indicated the effect of starry anise in mice.
The isolated compounds of veranisatins A, B and C, from star anise, consumed at a rate of 3 mg per kilogram of body, had convulsive effects and lethal toxicity in mice.
At low doses, for example 0.5 or 1 mg per kilogram, hypothermic effects were noted, and no convulsions.
Veranisatin A was also tested for its analgesic and sedative effects, and showed analgesic effect at an oral dose of 0.1 mg per kilogram of body weight.
antimicrobial
The study published by Phytotherapy Research found that star anise has potent antimicrobial properties.
It was concluded by analysis of the study that such antimicrobial properties are due to a substance called anethole, present in dried fruit.
Studies that specifically analyzed anethole showed that the substance has properties against fungi and bacteria.
Side Effects and Contraindication
Side effects of star anise include vomiting, nausea, allergic skin and respiratory reaction if taken excessively.
Starry anise has contraindications for pregnant and lactating women, and should also be avoided by patients suffering from hyperestrogenism, and should not be used by babies and children under the age of 10 years.
