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Star Anise is a warming aromatic herb that moves blood, reducing cold-stagnation in Chinese medicine. It's known to have powerful antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties and is also one of the five spices in traditional Chinese five-spice mixture. It's been used in both Ayurveda & Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Shikimic acid which is the active ingredient in flu medications such as Tamiflu, is extracted from star anise making it a great spice to use during cold and flu season.
Digestive Health
Star anise is commonly used as a digestive aid helping to relieve an upset stomach with its antispasmodic properties. It's also used to relieve gas & bloating and to stimulate appetite.
Women's Health
Star anise is known to promote reproductive health in women, and also support lactating mothers by increasing the secretion of breast milk. It's also used for menopausal discomforts, as directed by a practitioner or physician.
About Star Anise
Star anise is a small evergreen tree native to China that closely resembles anise in flavor. Its licorice-flavored start shaped fruit is also grown in Japan and Vietnam. It has a dark brown color and contains six to eight seeded petal-like segments. It's harvested just before it ripens and its highly fragrant oil is used in cooking, perfumery, soaps, toothpastes, mouthwashes and skin products.
Cooking Star Anise
Star anise has become more popular in the West in recent years and is used as a less expensive substitute for anise in baked goods as well as in the production of liquor. It is a key spice in preparation of biryani and masala chai throughout all of the Indian subcontinent. It enhances the flavor of meat and is widely used in Chinese cuisine as well as in Malay and Indian cooking. It's also a major ingredient in the making of pho, a Vietnamese soup, and is used in the French recipe of mulled wine, called vin chaud (hot wine).
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Find out by taking this free, easy quiz.
You'll learn your body type, and whether 'Star Anise' is a good fit.
Complete the basic quiz in 1 minute, or go deeper with additional quizzes at your own leisure to learn more about your body.
AYURVEDA'S GUIDE TO VITALITY & WHOLESOME NOURISHMENT
Your Ayurvedic diet is tailored to your individual body and your specific imbalances.
With an Ayurvedic diet you feel joy and satisfaction because what you are eating truly nourishes and balances you.
Disease results from diets and lifestyles that are incompatible with your nature.
By eating a personalized diet matched to your body, you experience optimal health.
See How it Works.
Functional Ayurveda helps you assess imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics
(gunas).
Aggravating these characteristics weakens your body and causes imbalance.
By knowing which characteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct imbalances before you get sick.
Every characteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold).
You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite characteristic.
Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food.
Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body.
Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food.
Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods.
Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion.
Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste.
One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes.
The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent.
Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?
According to the biocharacteristic theory of medicine,
people tend to get sick, over and over again, due to habitual causes and imbalances that are unique to the person.
Your body type summarizes this tendency, showing you the 'type' of conditions and imbalances that frequently challenge your health & wellness.
Using body type, you can also identify remedies likely to improve your strength and resiliency.
Your body type identifies physical and mental characteristics as well as your personal strengths and weaknesses.
The calculation of your body type is based on your medical history.
The 3 functional body types
(doshas),
are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).
Catabolic individuals tend to break down body mass into energy. They are easily stimulated, hyperactive, underweight and dry.
Metabolic individuals tend to burn or use energy. They tend to be rosy-cheeked, easily irritated, focused, driven, and easily inflamed.
Anabolic individuals tend to store energy as body mass. If they store too much energy, they could gain weight easily and have congestion. Anabolic people tend to be stable and grounded.
Herbs or spices with volatile essential oils that present strong aromas. Aromatic oils shock, refresh and numb tissue, with the end result of relaxing, opening and clearing stagnant fluids in tissues.
Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Star Anise
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary.
The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.
An herb that strengthens spleen function by improving strength of the blood. Spleen tonics Builds agni, brighten the person's appearances & firms up tissues.
A vasodilator is an herb that widens the blood vessels by the relaxation of smooth muscle cells within the vessel walls, thereby increasing circulation systemically or to a local area.
In each clinical research trial below, students from the
Joyful Belly School of Ayurveda ate the selected food for 3 days and reported the pharmacological effects.
See other clinical research trials for diet & herbs at Joyful Belly.
TEMPERATURE/CIRCULATION
How did Star Anise affect your temperature?
0
1
7
16
1
Much colder
Slightly colder
Same
Slightly warmer
Much warmer
Total Responses: 25 Study ID:43 (2021-01-20 - 2021-01-31)
How did Star Anise affect your sweat quantity?
0
1
18
6
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 25 Study ID:43 (2021-01-20 - 2021-01-31)
How did Star Anise affect the color of your tongue body?
2
14
1
8
Paler
Redder
Bluer
No Change
Total Responses: 25 Study ID:43 (2021-01-20 - 2021-01-31)
How did Star Anise affect the swelling of your tongue body?
7
3
15
More Swelling
Less Swelling
No Change
Total Responses: 25 Study ID:43 (2021-01-20 - 2021-01-31)
How did Star Anise affect your appetite/hunger?
0
7
10
8
0
Much less hungry
Slightly less hungry
Same
Slightly hungrier
Much hungrier
Total Responses: 25 Study ID:43 (2021-01-20 - 2021-01-31)
How did Star Anise affect your digestion speed?
2
7
15
1
0
Much faster
Slightly faster
Same
Slightly slower
Much slower
Total Responses: 25 Study ID:43 (2021-01-20 - 2021-01-31)
TOXINS
How did Star Anise affect the amount of gas & bloating?
3
4
15
3
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 25 Study ID:43 (2021-01-20 - 2021-01-31)
How did Star Anise affect your stool smell?
1
0
18
6
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 25 Study ID:43 (2021-01-20 - 2021-01-31)
Tongue: How did Star Anise affect the thickness & size of your tongue coating?
2
9
12
1
1
Much smaller
Slightly less
Same
Slightly larger coating
Much larger
Total Responses: 25 Study ID:43 (2021-01-20 - 2021-01-31)
How did Star Anise affect the color of your tongue coating?
0
4
2
2
17
Yellower
Browner
Grayer
Whiter
No Change
Total Responses: 25 Study ID:43 (2021-01-20 - 2021-01-31)
How did Star Anise affect your urine smell?
1
1
17
6
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 25 Study ID:43 (2021-01-20 - 2021-01-31)
How did Star Anise affect the amount of bubbles in your urine?
0
4
18
3
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Many more
Total Responses: 25 Study ID:43 (2021-01-20 - 2021-01-31)
How did Star Anise affect your sweat smell?
1
1
18
5
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 25 Study ID:43 (2021-01-20 - 2021-01-31)
HYDRATION
How did Star Anise affect your urine frequency/quantity?
1
2
17
4
1
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 25 Study ID:43 (2021-01-20 - 2021-01-31)
How did Star Anise affect the cracks on your tongue?
0
5
15
5
0
Larger/longer/more cracks
Slightly more
Same
Slightly less/smaller/shorter
Much less
Total Responses: 25 Study ID:43 (2021-01-20 - 2021-01-31)
NERVOUS-SYSTEM
How did Star Anise affect your energy levels?
0
5
10
9
1
Much less energy
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more energy
Much more
Total Responses: 25 Study ID:43 (2021-01-20 - 2021-01-31)
How did Star Anise affect your muscle tension?
0
10
12
3
0
Much less tension
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more tension
Much more
Total Responses: 25 Study ID:43 (2021-01-20 - 2021-01-31)
How did Star Anise affect your anxiety?
2
4
14
5
0
Much less anxiety
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more anxiety
Much more
Total Responses: 25 Study ID:43 (2021-01-20 - 2021-01-31)
How did Star Anise affect the stillness of your tongue?
2
17
6
More still
No Change
More Trembling / Jittery
Total Responses: 25 Study ID:43 (2021-01-20 - 2021-01-31)
DIGESTION
How did Star Anise affect the amount of gas & bloating?
3
4
15
3
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 25 Study ID:43 (2021-01-20 - 2021-01-31)
How did Star Anise affect your appetite/hunger?
0
7
10
8
0
Much less hungry
Slightly less hungry
Same
Slightly hungrier
Much hungrier
Total Responses: 25 Study ID:43 (2021-01-20 - 2021-01-31)
How did Star Anise affect your digestion speed?
2
7
15
1
0
Much faster
Slightly faster
Same
Slightly slower
Much slower
Total Responses: 25 Study ID:43 (2021-01-20 - 2021-01-31)
TONGUE
How did Star Anise affect the cracks on your tongue?
0
5
15
5
0
Larger/longer/more cracks
Slightly more
Same
Slightly less/smaller/shorter
Much less
Total Responses: 25 Study ID:43 (2021-01-20 - 2021-01-31)
Tongue: How did Star Anise affect the thickness & size of your tongue coating?
2
9
12
1
1
Much smaller
Slightly less
Same
Slightly larger coating
Much larger
Total Responses: 25 Study ID:43 (2021-01-20 - 2021-01-31)
How did Star Anise affect the swelling of your tongue body?
7
3
15
More Swelling
Less Swelling
No Change
Total Responses: 25 Study ID:43 (2021-01-20 - 2021-01-31)
How did Star Anise affect the color of your tongue body?
2
14
1
8
Paler
Redder
Bluer
No Change
Total Responses: 25 Study ID:43 (2021-01-20 - 2021-01-31)
How did Star Anise affect the stillness of your tongue?
2
17
6
More still
No Change
More Trembling / Jittery
Total Responses: 25 Study ID:43 (2021-01-20 - 2021-01-31)
How did Star Anise affect the color of your tongue coating?
0
4
2
2
17
Yellower
Browner
Grayer
Whiter
No Change
Total Responses: 25 Study ID:43 (2021-01-20 - 2021-01-31)
STOOL
How did Star Anise affect your stool smell?
1
0
18
6
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 25 Study ID:43 (2021-01-20 - 2021-01-31)
How did Star Anise affect your stool consistency?
3
6
14
2
0
Much softer
Slightly softer
Same
Slightly harder
Much harder
Total Responses: 25 Study ID:43 (2021-01-20 - 2021-01-31)
How did Star Anise affect your stool frequency/quantity?
1
1
17
5
1
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 25 Study ID:43 (2021-01-20 - 2021-01-31)
How did Star Anise affect your stool color?
5
0
1
1
18
More yellow
More gray
More green
More orange
Same
Total Responses: 25 Study ID:43 (2021-01-20 - 2021-01-31)
How did Star Anise affect your stool lightness?
0
8
17
0
0
Much lighter
Slightly lighter
Same
Slightly darker
Much darker
Total Responses: 25 Study ID:43 (2021-01-20 - 2021-01-31)
URINE
How did Star Anise affect your urine frequency/quantity?
1
2
17
4
1
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 25 Study ID:43 (2021-01-20 - 2021-01-31)
How did Star Anise affect the amount of bubbles in your urine?
0
4
18
3
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Many more
Total Responses: 25 Study ID:43 (2021-01-20 - 2021-01-31)
How did Star Anise affect your urine clarity?
1
19
5
More cloudy
Same
More clear
Total Responses: 25 Study ID:43 (2021-01-20 - 2021-01-31)
How did Star Anise affect your urine smell?
1
1
17
6
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 25 Study ID:43 (2021-01-20 - 2021-01-31)
How did Star Anise affect your urine lightness?
0
3
15
7
0
Much lighter
Slightly lighter
Same
Slightly Darker
Much Darker
Total Responses: 25 Study ID:43 (2021-01-20 - 2021-01-31)
SWEAT
How did Star Anise affect your sweat smell?
1
1
18
5
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 25 Study ID:43 (2021-01-20 - 2021-01-31)
How did Star Anise affect your sweat quantity?
0
1
18
6
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 25 Study ID:43 (2021-01-20 - 2021-01-31)
SYSTEMIC
How did Star Anise affect your anxiety?
2
4
14
5
0
Much less anxiety
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more anxiety
Much more
Total Responses: 25 Study ID:43 (2021-01-20 - 2021-01-31)
How did Star Anise affect your temperature?
0
1
7
16
1
Much colder
Slightly colder
Same
Slightly warmer
Much warmer
Total Responses: 25 Study ID:43 (2021-01-20 - 2021-01-31)
How did Star Anise affect your energy levels?
0
5
10
9
1
Much less energy
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more energy
Much more
Total Responses: 25 Study ID:43 (2021-01-20 - 2021-01-31)
How did Star Anise affect your muscle tension?
0
10
12
3
0
Much less tension
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more tension
Much more
Total Responses: 25 Study ID:43 (2021-01-20 - 2021-01-31)
Eating Ayurvedically makes you feel nourished and energized. Food digests with ease when
right for your body type (dosha). Healthy digestion is seen as the cornerstone of well-being in
Ayurveda. Healthy digestion generally prevents illness. If you do get sick, a strong digestive fire
reduces the severity of illness and increases your resilience. It also improves your mood. Once
you begin eating Ayurvedically, you will feel refreshed, vital and strong.
Give smart recommendations to your clients and improve efficiency in your clinic with these tools.
About the Author
John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a
healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda biocharacteristics.
His approach to Ayurveda is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful.
John also directs Joyful Belly's School of Ayurveda,
offering professional clinical training in Ayurveda for over 15 years.
John's interest in Ayurveda and specialization in digestive tract pathology was inspired by a complex digestive disorder acquired from years of international travel,
as well as public service work in South Asia.
John's commitment to the detailed study of digestive disorders reflects his zeal to get down to the roots of the problem.
His hope and belief in the capacity of each & every client to improve their quality of life is nothing short of a personal passion.
John's creativity in the kitchen and delight in cooking for others comes from his family oriented upbringing.
In addition to his certification in Ayurveda, John holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University.
John enjoys sharing Ayurveda within the context of his Catholic roots,
and finds Ayurveda gives him an opportunity to participate in the healing mission of the Church.
Jesus expressed God's love by feeding and healing the sick.
That kindness is the fundamental ministry of Ayurveda as well.
Outside of work, John enjoys spending time with his wife and 7 kids, and pursuing his love of theology, philosophy, and language.
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
The information and products on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any
disease.
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