One star is all that’s needed when it comes to Star Anise. It’s a warming and pungent spice, a star-shaped pod filled with seeds. It’s grown in China and activates digestive enzymes to assimilate heavy foods better. It dispels abdominal cramping, burping, bloating, constipation, gas, indigestion, and stomach aches.
In the pharmaceutical world, it’s used as an active ingredient in Tamiflu, which is “an antiviral medication that blocks the actions of influenza [or flu symptoms associated with] types A and B in your body. On its own, it hinders flu, clear the lungs of mucus, and liquefies thick mucus.
PROPERTIES: antibacterial, anticatarrhal, antispasmodic, antiviral, aperient, carminative, diuretic, expectorant, galactagogue
SOURCES:
Grogan, B. B. (2020). Healing Spices Handbook: Recipes for Natural Living. New York: Sterling.
McBride, K. (2019). The Herbal Kitchen. Newburyport, MA: Red Barren.
Webb., M. A. & Craze, R. (2000). The Herb & Spice Companion. New York: Metro Books.