This seasoning, which, in addition to exquisite gastronomic qualities, has great healing potentials, is often taken as a well-known anise. Similar smells characteristic of both spices are misleading. What is the true anise and what is its health benefits - read further in the article.

History and Description

Real anise, also called star anise or Chinese anise, in fact, has nothing to do with grassy anise, since it is a tree. And even the aromas exuded by both seasonings, with some similarities, are still easily distinguishable. The star anise has a more intense and at the same time subtle aroma, while the anise smell has distinctly noticeable bright sweet notes. Star anise grows mainly in Southeast Asia in the form of an evergreen tree up to 6 m high with a pyramidal crown.

Did you know? In our area, a relative grows in star anise, known as the burning bush. The plant is famous for the ability of its flowers to emit flammable esters. They flare up when a match is presented with blue fire that covers the entire bush, and yet it does not cause the slightest harm to the plant.

It consists of bright green leaves with a shiny surface, which, when rubbed, exude anise aromas. The tree blooms after 6 years, and begins to bear fruit after a couple of years, but then in the future fruiting can last up to hundreds of years. The anise flowers have fragrant, light yellow, pale green or purple colors. Fruits are stars, in each of which rays, as if in a boat, rests a brown seed up to 6 mm long. They make a spice out of it.

Chemical composition

The widespread use of star anise in Asian cuisine is explained not only by its high gastronomic qualities, but also by its rich content of valuable substances. They predetermined the active use of this product for medicinal purposes.

Seasoning is saturated with most vitamins from group B, as well as:

• retinol (vitamin A);
• ascorbic acid (C);
• routine (P);
• nicotinic acid (PP).

Aniseed essential oil consists of 90% anethole. In addition, the fruits contain sugars, resins, fatty oils, tannins, as well as micro and macro elements - the most noticeable of them are represented by calcium and phosphorus.

Nutritional value and calorie content

100 g of dry product contains:

• protein - 17.7 g;
• fat - 16 g;
• carbohydrates - 35.5 g.

Useful properties of star anise

• The benefits of the seeds of this plant are their ability to:
• counteract inflammatory processes;
• stimulate the activity of the central nervous system;
• activate blood flow;
• stimulate lactation in nursing mothers;
• act as a diaphoretic;
• exhibit choleretic properties;
• optimize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
• relieve cramps;
• stop joint pain;
• exhibit an expectorant effect;
• act as an effective anthelmintic.

Did you know? Star anise is an essential component of the famous 5-spice Chinese complex of spices, including cloves, Sichuan pepper, cardamom and cinnamon.

Fields of application

This seasoning is very popular in cooking. However, it is no less actively and productively used in traditional medicine and for domestic purposes.

In cooking

In terms of gastronomy, anisexia tree performs well when:

• confectionery production;
• aromatization of dough products;
• storage of jam to prevent its sugaring;
• cooking meat dishes to give them a piquant taste;
• the manufacture of marinades in the process of vegetable preservation;
• storage of products with a view to its extension;
• making tea, cocoa and coffee to enhance their aroma;
• infusion of alcoholic beverages to give them a specific smell.

In medicine

Traditional medicine has accumulated solid experience in the use of medicinal products based on star anise for such actions:

• stimulation of metabolic processes in the body;
• overcoming the symptoms of coughing;
• restoration of normal activity of the vocal cords;
• elimination of childhood colic;
• digestive stimulation;
• activation of lactation in nursing women;
• menstrual cycle optimization;
• getting rid of diarrhea;
• mitigation of rheumatoid and other joint pain;
• elimination of tachycardia;
• decrease in elevated body temperature;
• elimination of halitosis;
• the implementation of a diuretic effect;
• stimulation of expectoration;
• fight against helminths;
• overcoming the consequences of injuries;
• relieving seizures;
• relief of headache;
• elimination of the effects of infectious effects on the skin.

When losing weight

The ability of star anise to activate metabolic processes in the body, establish digestion and exhibit a diuretic effect makes it popular in dietary nutrition in order to get rid of excess weight.

Important! In no case should you use anise in the process of a salt-free diet.

Tea with this spice or a decoction of it can calm excessive appetite.

At home

The diverse useful qualities of this plant do not limit its use in cooking and medicine.

It is also quite intensively used:

• in the soap industry;
• in perfumery;
• in cosmetology;
• for decorative landscaping of homes, offices, cafes, restaurants, greenhouses.

Possible harm and contraindications

The saturation of this product with substances that actively affect the human body, naturally determines the harm that seasoning can cause to health if overused. As it happens with various products, star anise is primarily contraindicated for people with individual intolerance to it.

Important! Although star anise has the ability to stimulate the production of breast milk, nursing women should use it with caution. Not all babies may like the spicy taste and specific aroma of the product transmitted to breast milk.

In addition, you should not use the spice:

• during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester;
• with nervous excitement, which can only worsen;
• with a tendency to allergic reactions.

Features of the collection and storage of seasoning

In the places where anise star grows, its fruits are usually harvested unripe, after which they are dried qualitatively in the sun, which gives the seeds a brown-red color. Dried plant seeds can be stored in a dark and dry place for a long time. However, in powdered form, the fruits are not subject to long-term storage, since in this form they quickly lose their aromatic qualities. Therefore, it is worth buying ground anise in small quantities and store it in hermetically sealed containers.

In addition, when buying a product in its original condition, that is, in asterisks, it should be borne in mind that the larger the stars of anise anise, the better it is. Seasoning is usually not the main component of any dish. However, when using star anise, it often loses secondary importance and comes to the fore, dominating its aroma and taste. And if we take into account the healing properties of the spice, it is no coincidence that these fragrant stars are becoming more widespread and recognized today.