The Health Benefits of Anise Seeds
Arak, Ouzo, Raki – these are 3 alcoholic
beverages very common in our region, and some are willing to swear that
drinking them is a recipe for a long life. Maybe it's just a belief, but
on the other hand, there may be something to it, as the common
denominator between the three is their basis in the anise plant, known
by many for its amazing health benefits over many years. To help you get
to know anise, its function, and its benefits, we present a brief
explanation on how to consume it, as well as a list of the 10 standout
advantages of this special plant.
How to consume anise?
Anise consumption for health purposes is
not done by drinking alcoholic beverages containing it, but rather by
using anise oil or extract, products sold in various health stores.
Alternatively, just take one tea spoon of anise seeds and put them in a
cup of boiling water. Mix them well and let it rest for 15 minutes
before drinking it as a tea.
10 Health Benefits of Anise
1. Natural Pain Reliever for Severe Pain
Anise oil is rich in health-promoting properties and compounds that
benefit our body, improving blood circulation and aiding in
detoxification. Because of all these, anise oil can function as a
natural and powerful pain reliever for severe pains, particularly those
caused by conditions and joint inflammations like gout and rheumatism.
Additionally, the antispasmodic properties of anise oil can also help in
relieving muscle pain.
2. Helps Treat Sleep Disorders
When sipped after a hearty dinner or right before bed, tea enhanced with
anise extract is a valuable solution for treating various sleep
disorders. As anise has a calming effect that helps the body's nerves to
relax quickly, consuming it in the evening will allow you to drift into
sleep more easily. Note that when making anise tea, care should be
taken not to boil the water excessively, as the anise extract tends to
evaporate quickly, which may reduce its effectiveness. If you’re
sensitive to the bitter taste of anise extract, you can add honey to the
mixture during or after cooling.
3. Helps Calm Body and Mind During Times of
Stress and Outbursts of Anger
As mentioned, anise possesses properties that calm the body’s nerves,
making it a natural remedy for dealing with stress and calming outbursts
and fits of hysteria and anger that can happen to anyone. Consuming the
seeds or extract of the plant has proven very effective in reducing
stress and anger, hyperactive reactions, as well as spasms and seizures
caused by them. This is because anise regulates blood circulation,
stabilizes breathing, and helps calm various body systems. However, it's
advisable to consult a medical expert before using the plant for these
purposes.
4. Fights Bacteria and Fungi that Attack
Our Body
Several studies have found that anise extract is very effective in
preventing the development of various types of bacteria, fungi, and
viruses. For example, Taiwanese researchers found that with just 4
antibacterial anise components, it’s possible to combat and treat more
than 70 types of bacteria resistant to standard medications. The
dramatic increase in the number of harmful bacterial types is considered
a major challenge for the medical world, but anise might very well
become one of the most effective tools in this battle in the future. In
another study conducted in South Korea, researchers showed that anise
oil and extract have strong anti-fungal abilities, particularly against
the dangerous candida fungus.
5. Positive Effect on Skin Freshness and
Hair Growth
Ethanol is one of the main components of anise, and the plant’s
distinctive fragrance is derived from this substance. One of the
benefits ethanol provides anise is the ability to positively impact skin
health, keeping it smooth and shiny. Anise oil mixed with shea butter
or any other health oil can work wonders on your skin, healing it
quickly from conditions such as acne, blackheads, and more.
Additionally, anise has been found to promote hair growth, repair
damaged hair, and heal it. A deep massage of anise oil on the scalp
helps stimulate new hair growth and quickly eliminates dandruff and even
lice.
6. Contributes to Heart Health and Prevents Blood Clots
Anise oil has been proven to be important and effective in maintaining
normal blood pressure levels and aiding heart health, as it reduces
various bodily stresses and helps the heart function more efficiently.
As anise detoxifies the body, it also enables proper blood flow,
stimulates cardiac activity, and contributes to the proper functioning
of this vital organ. In a study conducted in 2007 it was found that
ethanol, a prominent and central component in anise, is particularly
effective in preventing the development of life-threatening blood clots
along the body’s arteries.
7. Improves Digestion
In ancient East Asian medicine, originating from China, as well as in
the medicine of Native Americans, anise was used for years both as a
mouth freshener and as an effective remedy for various digestive issues.
These peoples identified many years ago the effective properties of
anise in this area, allowing it and its derivatives to serve as a
natural and useful treatment for people suffering from slow digestion,
gas, abdominal cramps, constipation, diarrhea, and other bowel diseases.
To use it most effectively for this purpose, add a few drops of anise
oil into a glass of water and drink from the mixture after each large
meal you eat.
8. Regulates Menstrual Cycle and Helps Milk Production
Anise has a positive effect on the production of the female hormone
estrogen, making it especially beneficial for women’s health and the
regularity of various processes, such as the menstrual cycle and milk
production. In cases of delayed menstruation due to physical or mental
reasons, it is recommended to drink anise tea, which can indeed regulate
menstrual processes in the body and alleviate cramps and pain. Anise
also contains substances that enhance the body’s milk production
ability, making it recommended for moderate consumption for
breastfeeding mothers.
9. Promotes Oral Health
One of the interesting benefits of anise seeds is that they help
maintain the health of the oral cavity and gums. The antibacterial and
antimicrobial properties of anise make it an especially effective mouth
freshener and one of the ideal ingredients for various oral hygiene
products, hence why anise is used in mouthwash products in different
cultures. Additionally, using anise helps eliminate bad breath, as well
as reduce various swellings in the mouth area.
10. Contains Essential Antioxidants
Antioxidants are substances found naturally in plants that protect body
cells from damage due to exposure to environmental toxins and free
radicals that accelerate aging processes and the development of
life-threatening diseases. In a study published in 2007, scientists
found that due to its antioxidant properties, anise reduced or
completely prevented the formation of cancerous cells after exposure to a
carcinogen. The scientists concluded that anise possesses properties
that may greatly assist in the field of cancer treatment.
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