Anise is a medicinal plant that provides various health benefits, such as helping to combat indigestion, gas, nausea, constipation and colic, because it is rich in flavonoids, malic and caffeic acid, bioactive compounds with digestive properties, laxatives, carminative y anti-inflammatory.
Popularly known as green anise or matalahúva, whose scientific name is Pimpinella anisum, is also used to relieve headaches and help in the treatment of migraine attacks, as it has analgesic activity and anti-inflammatory.
The seeds of anise are the most commonly used plant, and they have a sweet, intense flavor. They can be used to prepare tea or various culinary recipes. They can also be used in the form of essential oil or tinctures for therapeutic purposes, and can be found in supermarkets and natural food stores. Green anise is often confused with star anise; however, they are plants with different properties. Learn the difference between star anise and green anise.
What is it for
Green anise is a medicinal plant that has many health benefits and is widely used to treat various conditions such as:
1. Improve digestion
Green anise contains malic acid, a bioactive compound that reduces stomach acidity, in addition to having digestive and carminative action, improving digestion and helping to combat nausea, gas and gastric ulcers. Its anethole and other terpenes reduces intestinal fermentation and the feeling of bloating.
In addition, green anise also prevents food fermentation in the intestine, reducing gas production.
2. Relieve headaches
Green anise essential oil contains estragole, eugenol, linalool and anethole, compounds with analgesic properties that act on the central nervous system, helping to relieve headaches and treat migraine attacks. antispasmodic effect It can also reduce muscle tension associated with pain.
3. Strengthen the immune system
Green anise contains antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibacterial compounds that strengthen the immune system, fighting bacteria, fungi and viruses, contributing to the treatment of some conditions, such as cough, flu, sore throat and allergies. Its polyphenols helps neutralize free radicals.
4. Help in the treatment of seizures
Because it contains flavonoids, malic acid, and caffeic acid, compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, green anise can help in the treatment of seizures. Although it does not replace medical treatment, its neuroprotective activity It is of interest in phytotherapy.
5. Combat constipation
Green anise helps combat constipation because it contains anethole, a bioactive compound that improves natural bowel movements, facilitating the elimination of feces. It can be combined with Dietary fiber to enhance intestinal transit.
6. Relieve the symptoms of menopause
The compounds present in green anise have estrogenic effects, and may help relieve the symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, headaches, and difficulty sleeping. In aromatherapy, its sweet scent promotes relaxation.
7. Prevent heart disease
Green anise contains coumarin, flavonoids, and malic acid, components with antioxidant, anticoagulant, and anti-inflammatory properties, which improve blood circulation and prevent the formation of clots, helping to prevent cardiovascular events. Its use should be prudent if you take anticoagulants.
8. Reduce colic
Anise is an excellent choice for reducing the intensity of intestinal and menstrual cramps. This is because this plant contains estragole, anethole, eugenol, and linalool, compounds with analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. As a warm infusion, it offers a calming effect appreciable.
See more benefits of anise in the following video:
Properties of anise
Anise has diuretic, antifungal, antiviral, antispasmodic, carminative, analgesic, anticonvulsant, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. Its seed concentrates essential oils (mainly anethole), in addition to phenolic acids and flavonoids that explain its therapeutic versatility.
How can it be consumed?
The most commonly used part of anise is primarily its dried seed, which can be consumed as a tea, added to food, or used as an essential oil for medicinal purposes. It is also used in tinctures and standardized extracts for phytotherapeutic purposes.
1. Anise tea
Green anise tea is used to relieve headaches and flu and cold symptoms, such as coughs, sneezing, and flu. It can be taken after meals to promote digestion.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon dried anise seeds;
- 1 cup of water.
Preparation mode
To prepare this tea, boil the water and add the anise seeds. Cover and let it steep for 10 minutes. Strain and drink up to 3 cups a day, for a maximum of 2 weeks. It can be combined with fennel o chamomile to enhance its carminative effect.
2. For meals
Anise can also be used in sweet recipes, such as cakes and cookies. In addition, it can also be used in bread making, arepas, and even in seafood dishes. It is excellent in homemade liqueurs, sauces and hot drinks for its licorice aromatic profile.
3. Essential oil
Green anise essential oil is widely used in aromatherapy to regulate female hormones and reduce menstrual cramps, also relieving the symptoms of menopause. It is recommended to dilute it properly to topical use (for example, 2 drops in 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil) and make a sensitivity test before using.
Anise can also be used as a muscle relaxant and sedative. To do this, mix 2 drops of anise essential oil with 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil, such as coconut or almond, and massage the affected area. You can also add 3 drops of the oil to a scent diffuser or a bucket of boiling water to relieve coughs and runny nose.
4. Tincture and extracts
Anise tincture is traditionally used for digestive support. The hydroalcoholic extracts concentrate active principles and are administered in drops diluted in water; it is advisable to follow the manufacturer's dosage and consult in case of concomitant medication.
Differences between green anise and star anise
Although they are often confused, green anise (Pimpinella anisum) and star anise (Illicium verum) come from different botanical families and have particular characteristics. Green anise has small, oval, grooved seeds; star anise offers a star-shaped fruit with 6 to 12 points. Both share anethole as the main aromatic molecule, but the star-shaped one includes other compounds with sensory nuances and specific effects.
It is essential not to confuse Illicium verum (suitable for consumption) with other related species such as Illicium anisatum o Illicium religiosum, Which are toxicWhen purchasing in bulk, verifying the origin and botanical identification is key.
Star anise: uses, infusions and precautions
Star anise is appreciated for its digestive (carminative) properties, its calming effect and its antioxidant contribution thanks to anetholeIn healthy drinks and infusions, it provides a sweet and intense flavor and can promote relaxation and rest.
Basic star anise infusion
Add one whole star (approx. 1 g) to a cup of boiling water, cover, let stand for five minutes, and strain. It is recommended to use it as a after meals or when there is a sensation of flatulence. Do not cook for long periods of time to avoid the extraction of unwanted substances and the loss of aromatic volatiles.
Frequency and conservation
The infusion should be consumed immediately; it is not advisable to store any leftovers, as they may lose their properties and deteriorate. If you wish to sweeten them, choose miel o stevia.
Notes on dosage by age
There are traditional guidelines that specify quantities for different ages; however, for safety reasons and in accordance with the contraindications listed below, use in infants and young children is not recommended. Before considering use in the pediatric population, evaluation by a healthcare professional is essential.
Plant
Star anise is an evergreen tree of the magnolia family that can reach 5 to 10 m in height. It has shiny, elliptical leaves with a whole edge, and very decorative flowers with 15 to 20 spirally arranged petals, yellowish white or pinkish in color depending on the variety. Its fruits, shaped like brown star, contain a shiny seed at each tip.
Star anise can be grown in warm, humid gardens where its seeds are cared for and have the proper germination properties. To achieve this, it is advisable to perform a stratification process to improve germination, as explained in this article. seed stratification guide.
Your name
Also called Chinese star anise or badiana. “Badiana” comes from badius, alluding to the color of its fruits; Illicium It is associated with “attracting” due to its aroma and verum means “true”.
Contraindications, adverse effects and recommendations
Properly identified food-grade star anise infusion is safe for healthy adults. The essential oil should not be administered during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or to young children or patients with gastritis, gastroduodenal ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, liver disease, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, or other neurological diseases. Avoid in case of allergy anise, anethole or other essential oils.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW…
- Traditional and current use as support for digestion.
- Useful for gases and intestinal spasms.
- Infusion: 1 star per cup of water, short rest, without prolonged cooking.
Nota: If you have any questions about your intake, consult a healthcare professional for personalized guidance.