Star Anise
Star anise, or star anise, like most seasonings with an oriental character, has a lot of medicinal properties. Traditional distribution area: southwest China and Japan. Today this spice is also grown in India and the Philippines.
Star anise owes its unique licorice aroma and strong antiviral properties to the presence of shikimic acid in its composition.
The oil obtained from anise stars is widely used in the creation of new perfume compositions, in the production of mouth fresheners, in aromatherapy and homeopathy.
Against the flu
In ancient Chinese medicine, star anise was used to treat digestive disorders, including colic in infants.
Later, shikimic acid (otherwise known as shikimik) was extracted from star anise, which formed the basis of the drug Tamiflu, developed to combat various strains of influenza. It has proven to be very effective in the prevention and early treatment of influenza, bird flu and swine flu.
Other natural sources of shikimic acid include foods fermented with a species of E. coli bacteria, ginger, fennel, and ambergris. Although it is in star anise that the maximum amount of this acid, useful for human immunity, is concentrated.
Some doctors believe that the spectrum of antiviral properties of star anise is not limited to the effect of shikimic acid on the influenza virus. Perhaps, at the right time, another component of the star anise, badyan-priprava alcohol, linalool, enters the fight for health.
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Health “star”
Star anise, like most other natural spices, is high in antioxidants. Scientifically proven: eating star anise prevents the oxidation of certain fatty acids responsible for the growth of cholesterol plaques in vital arteries.
The substance limonene, also found in star anise, has been shown to prevent certain types of cancers.
Traditional medicine to this day uses star anise infusions to relieve abdominal pain caused by gas accumulation, as a diuretic and even as a pain reliever: the tart and refreshing aroma of this seasoning will subside the headache that appeared so inopportunely.
Gastric medicine
Mix 1 drop of star anise oil with 1 tsp. honey and take orally for stomach upset, gas or nausea. But be careful with the concentration: just 1-5 ml of star anise oil, and you run the risk of getting nausea or vomiting.
Badian will also be of interest to the female audience due to its specific properties for breast augmentation. Suffice it to say that this star spice has a beneficial effect on milk production in breastfeeding mothers.
Star anise contains two specific substances that, like human estrogens, enlarge breasts and stimulate milk production.
Works as an aphrodisiac, increasing libido and reducing the intensity of symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in women. During pregnancy, you should refrain from eating star anise and its derivatives.
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Expectorant
Add just 1 drop of star anise oil to your cough syrup to help you cough up your throat during an asthma attack, bronchitis, cold, or whooping cough. Do not increase the dosage, it threatens pulmonary edema.
However, star anise oils may simply not be at hand at the right time. In this case, a recipe for an expectorant infusion from ground star anise will come in handy. It is not easy to grind a strong sprocket into fine dust – a coffee grinder copes with this task for a four. Nevertheless, more or less crushed star anise can be an excellent cure for the flu.
Expectorant infusion
1 tsp Pour 200 ml of boiling water over chopped star anise stars, let it brew for at least an hour.
To enhance the therapeutic effect, it is recommended to put the vessel with the infusion in a water bath for about 30-40 minutes.
The final stage: filter through a strainer or several layers of gauze, dilute with 1 glass of water and take 100 ml before meals 3 times a day.
This health recipe has been tested in practice. Instead of a water bath, I put a jar of star anise in the multicooker’s steam basket – also an option. I also advise you to add 1 tbsp to the star anise. l. chamomile flowers and 1 tsp. turns.Considering the significant weight of the beneficial properties of star anise compared to other spices, this product is more than just a culinary food supplement. Therefore, feel free to add star anise to desserts, fish sauces and pickles.
