Benefits of star anise

What is star anise?

What is star anise? Is it different from the known anise? What are its benefits and uses? What is the difference between anise and star anise?

What is star anise?

Star anise or star anise (in English: Star Anise) and its scientific name (in English: Illicium Verum) or Chinese anise is a different type from ordinary anise. Star anise has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Star anise is named after its stellar shape, as a star radiating from 5 to 10 pointed sections in the shape of a boat. [1]

Star anise has a distinct licorice flavor. Star anise is grown in southern China, northern Vietnam, India and Japan in a warm subtropical climate with the presence of watering and fertilizer. Star anise is considered a spice and is often confused with common anise. There is a species found in Japan, which is a poisonous species whose scientific name is Illicium Anisatum.

What compounds are in star anise?

There are many compounds combined together in star anise to give it antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. Such as:

Linalool.

Quarcetin.

Anethole, Anethole is a flavonoid. Anethole is the compound responsible for the distinctive licorice flavor of star anise. It has a role as a powerful antifungal and antioxidant.

Shikimic acid (in English: Shikimic Acid), shikimic acid is one of the compounds that have a strong role as an antiviral, so it is used in the treatment of influenza such as Tamiflu. Star anise is currently the main source of shikimic acid used in the development of pharmaceutical products.

two lemons.

Vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, vitamin C, and small amounts of vitamin B, and contain calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium.

What are the benefits of star anise?

Star anise has countless benefits, and the following are the most prominent benefits of star anise:

The benefits of star anise in cooking

Star anise is used in Asian cuisine in its whole form or as a powder, especially in Indian curries for cooking meats, soups, and baked goods.

Benefits of star anise in smoking cessation

Star anise is used to quit smoking, as a person who wants to quit smoking chews the seeds when it occurs to him to smoke.

Benefits of star anise for the colon

Anise has been used throughout the ages to treat digestive disorders that include stomach pain, inflammation, constipation, and indigestion. Where anise is distinguished by its natural fiber content, which helps in treating the problem of constipation, which many patients with irritable bowel syndrome suffer from.

The benefits of star anise for the colon, in turn, are represented in relieving abdominal pain associated with the colon, and star anise may reduce stomach ulcers. Star anise improves digestion and reduces indigestion because it contains iron, magnesium, zinc and potassium.

The benefits of star anise for sex

Star anise is characterized as increasing sexual desire (libido) for both sexes. Star anise also plays a role in treating menopause (in English: Male Menopause).

Benefits of star anise for slimming

Star anise contains limonene, which is one of the citrus oils with anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties and an anti-cancer agent, which helps in strengthening immunity, helps in reducing anxiety and stress, and helps in slimming and weight loss.

For more: the benefits of anise for weight loss

Benefits of star anise for the skin

The benefits of star anise for the skin are due to the fact that it contains anethole, as it helps to get rid of toxins in the skin. It also contains tannins that help unify skin tone, tighten the skin, prevent sagging and fight wrinkles. Anise star oil must be applied to the skin and left overnight, and it must be used continuously and for long periods of time to get the desired results.

Benefits of star anise for pregnant women

Anise is used to increase the flow of breast milk, promote the menstrual cycle, and facilitate childbirth. However, due to the properties of star anise, which are similar to estrogen, consuming it in large quantities may cause hormonal imbalances in pregnant women. Due to the lack of adequate studies on the use of star anise for pregnant women, it is preferable to avoid eating star anise for pregnant women.

Benefits of star anise for pressure

Star anise was known in the past for its role in maintaining the health of the heart and blood vessels, as it helps to reduce high blood pressure, because it contains calcium and potassium that are important for heart health. It also has a role in reducing harmful cholesterol as well. Star anise tea is drunk to treat pressure.

Benefits of star anise for the voice

We have always heard that singers or presenters drink a cup of aniseed tea to soften and improve their voice, and this is true. As star anise helps to get rid of sore throat, hoarseness and coughing, and helps to reduce and soften the voice, due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

Other star anise benefits

The benefits of star anise also include:

Treating cough and asthma and expelling phlegm, as it is used as an expectorant.

A guarantee of a good sleep, due to its soothing properties.

Flu treatment.

Pharmaceutical product development.

Antivirus.

Antifungal.

Treatment of urinary tract infections.

Inhibiting the growth of bacteria.

Natural perfume.

Relief from rheumatic pain and lower back pain.

Rinse and mouthwash.

Protecting hair from falling out and giving shine, so it is used in the manufacture of shampoo and conditioner.

Helping rid hair of lice, and those are among the benefits of star anise for hair. This is done by massaging the scalp with aniseed oil three times a day and leaving it for two hours.

An effective insecticide because it contains anethole.

What is the way to use star anise?

It has been a habit throughout the ages to drink star anise infusion, and all you need to use star anise is star anise and boiling water. Some other flavorings such as cinnamon, cardamom or ginger can be added as well.

After boiling, it is preferable to leave the star anise soaked for 15 minutes, after which the star anise infusion is filtered in a cup, and some sweeteners such as honey or sugar can be added.

What are the side effects of star anise?

Despite the great benefits of star anise, it, like other natural herbs, has potential harms, including:

Allergies. There have been few reports of allergic reactions to Chinese star anise in some people.

Japanese star anise is highly toxic, as it contains powerful neurotoxins that can trigger symptoms such as hallucinations, nausea, and seizures.

It should be noted that it is recommended not to give star anise to infants and children