The amazing properties of Star Anise!

Today I will talk to you about star anise, known in Traditional Chinese Medicine as ‘Da Hui Xiang’. Star anise, with its warm temperature, spicy and sweet taste, and affinity for the Liver, Kidney, and digestive system (Spleen/Stomach), helps to warm the interior (tonify yang), promote digestion, and circulate Qi.

It is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat heavy digestion, abdominal bloating, gas, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or lack of appetite (symptoms generally associated with cold in the spleen and can worsen with regular intake of cold beverages in summer). It is also used to treat polyuria (frequent urination) and discomfort in the kidney area (both of which can be due to the accumulation of cold in the kidneys).

That’s why I wanted to remind you of the importance of keeping the digestive system and kidneys warm, even in summer! When they become cold and weakened, in addition to the mentioned symptoms, it is also much more difficult to lose weight as cold slows down metabolism.

The spicy taste and warm temperature of star anise, in addition to promoting blood circulation, accelerate metabolism, which is always interesting in weight loss diets. For a greater therapeutic effect in this regard, it can be combined with cloves, ginger, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, cumin, and fennel.

Boil the mixture for 10-15 minutes and drink the decoction twice a day for several consecutive days (never at night as it can be too stimulating).