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Badiyan ka Phool, called star anise in English, is commonly used in Asian cuisine. Many famous Pakistani dishes like biryani and pulao have star anise in their ingredients. But, we bet you didn’t know about the wondrous Badiyan ka Phool benefits. This small star-shaped spice is quite famous for its ayurvedic properties and has several uses for health. You’ll find all the star anise benefits and side effects in this article.
What is Badiyan ka Phool or Star Anise?
Badiyan ka Phool or star anise is a fruit that comes from a small magnolia tree called Illicium verum. The green fruit is harvested before it ripens and dried to resemble a hard, nut-brown seed. The star has from around six to ten points, each with a single seed. It is used as a spice in many dishes and as a herb for treating various health issues.
5 Badiyan ka Phool Benefits
Badiyan ka Phool has many benefits for skin, infections, cold and flu, joint pain, and sleep problems. Furthermore, there are also many star anise benefits in Ayurveda. You can find them listed below:
1. Antifungal Properties
Research has found that star anise has antifungal properties. The extract, also known as the oil of star anise, is used to treat fungal infections by herbalists because it has a compound called flavonoid anethole. This compound also gives it a distinct flavor to badiyan ka Phool. It has also been found that star anise oil destroys fungus and stops fungal infections. However, if you have a severe fungal infection, you should visit a dermatologist.
2. Star Anise Benefits for Skin
Star Anise has many benefits for the skin. It contains vitamin A, which helps speed up healing, prevent breakouts, and support the skin’s immune system. It also promotes natural moisturizing, which means that regular use can help to hydrate the skin, giving it a radiant glow effectively.
3. Treats Flu
Star anise tea benefits for treating flu and cold are pretty popular in Pakistani households. Badiyan ka Phool is combined with other herbs and spices like cinnamon to make a particular flu-treating tea or kehwa. Star anise and cinnamon tea are also very beneficial if you want to get rid of cold. You can also add star anise to your steamer and inhale the vapors because it can destroy the influenza virus due to its antibacterial properties.
4. Lowers Blood Pressure
Star anise has traditionally been used in Chinese medicine to regulate blood pressure. The presence of nutrients such as potassium and calcium in spice extract helps relax blood vessel walls which help in lowering the blood pressure.
5. Fights Cancer
Due to poor diet and low physical activity, your body can become intoxicated with free radicals, which can cause cancer and other chronic diseases. Studies have found that Badiyan ka Phool has antioxidants and vitamins like A and C, which fight free radicals in your body, ultimately protecting you from cancerous cells and toxins.
Star Anise and Cinnamon Tea Benefits
You can get badiyan ka Phool benefits from drinking its tea as well. As discussed above, star anise has blood pressure-lowering ability and has antibacterial properties. While on the other hand, cinnamon is known for its property of regulating blood sugar levels. Therefore, star anise and cinnamon tea are great for people who have diabetes, blood pressure, or heart disease—Star anise tea aids in the treatment of digestive problems like bloating, gas, constipation, and diarrhea.
To make Star Anise Tea:
- Boil two cups of water in a pot
- Add one star anise and a small stick of cinnamon
- Steep for 10 to 15 minutes
- Strain and sip slowly (you can also add honey for flavor)
Star Anise Side Effects
Star anise is safe for culinary use and can be taken in small quantities. However, make sure to use the Chinese Star anise because the Japanese star anise is poisonous, and both are dangerously similar. It is also not recommended to give star anise to infants because of choking hazards and prevent an allergic reaction.
The Bottom Line
Badiyan ka Phool has a unique licorice flavor and aroma that complements a wide range of savory and sweet dishes. Its potent bioactive compounds may aid in treating a variety of fungal, bacterial, and viral infections. You can also use star anise tea to treat flu and cold due to its ayurvedic properties. However, make sure to use the Chinese star anise and not its Japanese look alike.
FAQs
1. What does star anise taste like?
Star anise has a sweet and licorice-like taste and aroma a bit similar to that of a clove.
2. How to use badiyan ka phool?
Badiyan ka Phool is usually added to the spice mix (masala) to make dishes like biryani and qorma. It is also a part of the famous Chinese five-spice used in Chinese cuisine. Lastly, it can be used to make a flavorful tea.
3. What is star anise good for?
Star anise is good for treating infections like influenza, high blood pressure, acne, and stomach problems like bloating and gas.
4. How to grind badiyan ka phool?
Simply put badiyan ka Phool in a spice grinder and switch it on. Keep grinding till it becomes a powder; you can also strain it to eliminate any solid pieces.
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