Star Anise

Star Anise is prescribed as an excellent digestive aid. It is used to relieve colic, and other symptoms related to flatulence including headache, nausea, vomiting, gastric distress, and to stimulate the appetite. The anti-spasmodic properties help relieve the stomach upset.

Given, its anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and expectorant properties, it is widely used in treating coughs, particularly whooping cough, asthma and bronchitis. Therefore, it is used as an ingredient in some cough mixtures. Ayurveda believes that Star Aniseed helps in tackling the mucus accumulation, owing to presence of kapha dosha in the intestines.

It promotes reproductive health in women, and is good for lactating mothers, as it helps increase breast-milk secretion. It also helps relieve discomforts associated with menopause, but, only when taken in the right quantities after consultation with a physician.

Due to the presence of a compound, Shikimic acid, star anise is used in preparing drugs for curing influenza and flu virus. It is already used commercially in flu medications, including the Tamiflu, the only drug effective against the Bird Flu.

Star anise is also said to possess carminative, stimulant, stomachic and diuretic properties.

Star anise is also recommended as a natural breath freshener, and can be chewed with cardamom pods, after a meal.

Star anise, in the oil form, is an effective relief for pain associated with rheumatism.

Star anise helps boost ones overall well-being, due to its high anti-oxidant properties, owing to the presence of Linalool compound.
The insecticidal properties of the spice, makes it effective against lice, termites and cockroaches.