Description of the plant. The chemical composition of star anise and its calorie content. List of medicinal properties. What ailments can occur when it is excessively added to food. Contraindications for use. Culinary recipes with star anise. Interesting Facts. Also, the star anise contains vitamins of groups A, B and C. They have antioxidant properties, anti-inflammatory effect, protect the nervous system from the effects of stress, strengthen immunity, accelerate the regeneration processes of vulnerable areas of the epidermis, prevent the destruction of red blood cells.
Useful properties of star anise
The harmonious combination of the components of the star anise fruits determines their unique healing properties. The plant helps in the fight against many ailments, improves digestion and absorption of food, normalizes stool and stabilizes blood pressure. Thanks to the seeds, you can slow down the aging process.
The benefits of star anise and food products to which it is added are explained by the presence of biologically active components:
- Anti-spasmodic property … The plant has a positive effect on the intestinal microflora, normalizes stool, prevents flatulence, strengthens the mucous membrane, heals abscesses, and stimulates the passage of gases.
- Fight against rheumatism … Pains from joints are relieved, tendons are strengthened, inflammation is reduced, intercellular exchange is regulated.
- Help during breastfeeding … The production of estrogen increases, the breast grows, the quality and quantity of milk improves, immunity increases, the menstrual cycle is restored, the heart rate is normalized, and colic is eliminated in the child.
- Acceleration of metabolic processes … Unwanted calories are burned faster, urination is stimulated, peristalsis is controlled, toxins and salts of heavy metals are removed, stretch marks are smoothed, and muscle relief is outlined.
- Anthelmintic property … Pain sensations are relieved, the affected parts of the body are restored, vital energy appears, and efficiency increases.
- Strengthening immunity … The body is toned, there is a beneficial effect on endocrine processes, the nervous system is normalized, and pathogenic bacteria are neutralized.
- Eliminate bad breath … Star anise contains unique essential oils that neutralize bad breath.
- Sleep normalization … Nervous excitability is removed, the components of the plant have a sedative property, inflammatory processes are suppressed, blood pressure is stabilized, carbohydrate metabolism is normalized, muscles are relaxed.
- Beneficial effect on the eyes … A strengthening effect is exerted on the conjunctiva, microcirculation of blood in the vessels improves, intraocular pressure is regulated, light adaptation is controlled.
- Increased libido in men … The production of testosterone is normalized, sexual life is improved, and the aging process is inhibited.
In addition, due to the high percentage of vitamin C, the development of scurvy is prevented. The formation of connective tissue is stabilized in the body, the gums are strengthened, mood improves, apathy and depression disappear. The vessels have a positive effect, since cholesterol plaques are knocked out, and their walls become more elastic and durable.
Harm and contraindications to the use of star anise
Despite the detailed list of useful properties, this spice in excessive quantities can adversely affect health. Its inclusion in food should be monitored so as not to provoke complications.
Consequences of abuse of star anise:
- Frequent urination … Pressure is exerted on the walls of the bladder, the tone increases and, as a result, problems with sleep arise, and irascibility is observed.
- Allergic manifestations … Itching occurs, redness and rashes, the sclera of the eyes turn yellow, the body temperature rises, digestion processes are disturbed, pain in the stomach, flatulence, nausea, vomiting, abscesses on the intestinal mucosa, deterioration of peristalsis, diarrhea, constipation, edema, pancreatic adenoma.
- Nervous excitability … Outbursts of unmotivated aggression, discomfort, apathy, headaches, irritability, redness of the eyes, increased sweating, rapid heart rate.
- Drop in blood pressure … The walls of blood vessels are negatively affected, blood circulation slows down, and cholesterol plaques appear.
- Headache … Little oxygen enters the brain, which leads to a deterioration in mental activity, damage to the nervous system and causes migraines.
Before eating star anise, it is necessary to pass tests and consult with a qualified specialist to find out if the components of the spice will cause an allergic reaction.
Absolute contraindications for star anise:
- Epilepsy … Auditory, gustatory and visual hallucinations, dizziness, frequent fainting, drowsiness, weakness, uncontrolled muscle contractions, numbness and tremors of the limbs, chills, urinary incontinence are stimulated.
- Pregnancy … Spice can negatively affect the development of the fetus, cause complications during childbirth, there is a risk of miscarriage.
- Kidney inflammation … Pain during urination, general intoxication, drops in blood pressure, muscle pain, fever, fatigue, weakened immune system.
- Increased nervous irritability … Violation of the movement of the eyeballs, abrupt and impulsive movements, uncontrolled weight gain, depression.
- Individual intolerance to individual plant components … Hives, bags under the eyes, dry cough, a sharp taste in the mouth, swelling of the nose, inflammation of the eyes, bloating, eczema, internal hemorrhages, deterioration of the cartilage tissue.
Those wishing to lose weight should remember that star anise has a high calorie content and a high percentage of carbohydrates. So do not get carried away with adding it to food.
Star anise recipes
The dried fruits of the star anise are used in cooking as a whole or with a hammer. When heat treated, the plant reveals its aromatic characteristics to the maximum. The spice is often combined with baked goods, onions, fruits, cinnamon, vanilla, fennel, cloves, ginger, beef. Add to jams, compotes, puddings, marinades, sauces, teas, mulled wine tinctures, cereals. But you should not combine spice with fish.
There are the following recipes with star anise, which are distinguished by their piquant taste, unique aroma and ease of preparation:
- Masala tea … A liter of filtered water and a liter of low-fat milk are poured into a saucepan, brought to a boil. Reduce the heat and add 4 black tea bags, a teaspoon of cardamom seeds, an anise star, a vanilla pod, 4 cloves, 3 black peppercorns, a piece of cinnamon bark, nutmeg, and 2 thin slices of ginger root. Cover the container and cook for 10 minutes. Then filter the drink, add 200 grams of buckwheat honey and stir. Masala can be drunk both hot and cold.
- Thai tea … A tablespoon of sugar and 5 star anise stars are added to a liter of water. Bring to a boil. Put 8 bags of black tea and leave to steep for 40-50 minutes. Filter the drink and add 5 tablespoons of condensed milk. After that, the tea is placed in the refrigerator. When served, ice cubes and lemon balm petals are added.
- Duck legs in sauce … Rub 4 duck legs with salt, olive oil and black pepper. Fried in a saucepan until golden brown. One onion and one red onion are peeled and cut into thin rings. Peel 3 cloves of garlic too. Put the above ingredients in another saucepan, add a tablespoon of melted butter, 3 sprigs of rosemary and fry for about 3 minutes. 3 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar, a glass of red wine, a pinch of salt, 5 allspice peas, a few star anise stars, 2 clove buds are poured into the container and boiled. Then duck legs are put there and stewed for about an hour over low heat, stirring occasionally. Over time, another glass of wine is poured in, covered and cooked for about half an hour. The meat will end up juicy and tender.
- Mulled wine … 750 ml of dry red wine is poured into a saucepan. One orange is washed, cut into rings no thinner than 1 cm and thrown there. A few more slices of lemon and apple, 3 star anise stars, 4 tablespoons of honey and 1.5 teaspoons of cinnamon are added to the container. It is recommended to top up a glass of filtered water so that the drink is not too concentrated. Mulled wine is heated over low heat, but not brought to a boil. Then let it brew under the lid for about 15 minutes. The drink is served hot.
- Cherry grandmother … Wash 400 grams of cherries, remove seeds and add 3 tablespoons of sugar. In another container, 3 egg yolks are combined with 100 ml of sour cream, 100 grams of flour and 2 tablespoons of sugar. The ingredients are thoroughly mixed. Add a few grated star anise stars, a teaspoon of cinnamon, cherries and 3 whipped egg whites to them. The dough is distributed over a baking dish and placed in the oven for half an hour at 180 ° C.
Note! When making jam with star anise, add the spice only 15-20 minutes until fully cooked. Thus, the taste and aroma will be enhanced and the jam will not become sugared.
Interesting facts about star anise
Essential oils are extracted from the fruits of the star anise by hydrodistillation. It takes 20 kg of seeds to end up with 1 kg of oil. Pure star anise essential oil should not be applied to exposed skin. This is a too saturated substance that can leave burns after contact with the epidermis.
It is believed that the Chinese were the first who began to use the root anise root in folk medicine. It was assumed that it has anti-aging properties, relieves nightmares and stabilizes metabolic processes.
In South America, the spice is added to hot dogs, in India it is an integral part of masala tea, and in China it is used to season shark fin soup with star anise.
In the traditional system of Indian medicine, star anise stars are considered unique and belong to plants of goodness. They contain a lot of light energy and are able to give a person more cheerfulness.
In Kievan Rus, a bunch of star anise seeds was hung at the head of the bed in order to hide from evil spirits and not succumb to its evil influence.
Linguists claim that the word "badian" is rooted in the Tatar "badjan", which means "anis" in translation. Star anise is called ship anise due to the fact that it has special properties that are used to paint ships in burgundy shades.
Due to its unique composition, star anise is able to extend the shelf life of food. Therefore, it is often added to preserves and marinades.
Watch a video about star anise:
The wide popularity of the spice is due to its ease of transportation, an impressive list of medicinal properties and rich aroma.