What Is Anise Tea Good For?

There are two types of anise tea , the one that comes from green anise (Pimpinella anisum), which is made using the leaves of this plant, and the one that comes from star anise (Illicium verum), which is made with the seeds of the aforementioned plant. The properties of both teas are similar and what changes a bit is the preparation.

Anise tea (regardless of the plant that is used for its preparation), serves many things, among which stand out: it is good for losing weight, it is good for improving digestion, it is used to treat problems in the urinary tract, it is excellent to eliminate headaches, in addition, it serves to control anxiety, stress and insomnia.

Anise tea benefits and medical uses

As mentioned above, anise tea is used to treat many things and all thanks to its medicinal properties, which have been discovered and studied over the years. Among the most outstanding benefits of anise tea are the following:

Digestion

Anise tea helps improve the digestive system , as it stimulates stomach secretions. It is recommended for those individuals who suffer from hyposecretory dyspepsia, as well as loss of appetite.

Likewise, anise tea  serves as an antispasmodic, since ingesting the infusion allows to reduce nausea, abdominal bloating, decrease abdominal cramps and pain, caused by poor digestion.

Expectorante

The anise tea has a great quality as an expectorant, because it serves to reduce cough, combat bronchitis and asthma; as well as it is useful to eliminate mucus found in the digestive tract.

Analgesic properties

Among the most outstanding properties of anise tea, is its quality to combat pain, this is because in its composition it contains anethole and caryophyllene, properties that serve as analgesics, therefore, when ingesting infusions made with anise, it is fight headaches, muscle aches, and / or rheumatics.

In addition, thanks to these properties, this tea is also good for fighting stress, anxiety and nerves.

Period pains

Likewise, anise tea  is useful to combat menstrual pain, because it has properties that allow it to function as an emmenagogue, thus favoring the menstruation process and avoiding terrible colic.

Antimicrobial properties

The extract obtained from anise tea can be used after obtaining a room temperature, on the surface of the skin, in order to treat infections developed in it, as it works as a great antimicrobial; however, if there is an open wound or irritation on the surface of the skin, it is necessary to avoid its use.

Decreases fluid retention

The anise tea is one of the teas most commonly used to fight fluid retention, a disorder that affects large numbers of people, however, consume the infusion of anise regularly helps reduce swelling of the abdomen, legs, arms and ankles , all thanks to the fact that it has properties that allow the elimination of liquids and toxins.

Anise tea to lose weight

Among the best allies to start a diet, anise tea is one of the most potential, this is because it accelerates the metabolism and helps the correct digestive function. To obtain good results, it is recommended to go on a diet and at the end of each meal to drink hot or cold anise tea.

Improves blood circulation

The consumption of anise tea improves blood function, which allows avoiding neurasthenia, circulatory diseases, suffering from cramps, varicose veins, muscle spasms, cardiovascular diseases, among others.

Fight mouth infections

Gargling the infusion when it is at room temperature, allows the individual to heal more quickly ulcers, or wounds in the mouth, thus reducing sore throats, because anise works as an antibacterial.

Steps to prepare anise tea

Making anise tea is extremely simple, it is possible to obtain anise in natural markets, or in common supermarkets (in case you want an industrialized product), to prepare anise it is necessary to have the following:

• Anise plant extracts (either the seed or the leaves).
• Water.
• Honey, or other sweetener.

To start the preparation, a container with half a liter of water is heated over low heat, before the boiling process begins, the anise extracts are poured, it is necessary that the water is not at 100 degrees, because the properties of the plant would be lost.

After 5 minutes, the container is removed from the heat, the remains of the plant are separated from the container, and it is served in a cup, it is possible to add honey or another natural sweetener, in order to give it a better flavor. It is worth mentioning that if the tea with seeds is being made, the duration should be 7 to 9 minutes.

When is it good to drink anise tea?

The consumption of this tea can vary according to the benefits that are desired and among the ways of ingesting it, the following stand out:

• If you want to treat pain, stress or anxiety, it is recommended to have a cup of hot anise tea at night, one hour before going to sleep.
• If you want the digestion process better, you should drink cold anise tea after eating. In case you want to lose weight, this point should also be taken into account.
• To the taste of the consumer; The effects of anise can be obtained, regardless of the way it is taken, because the most important process is during its preparation.

Contraindications of anise tea

The ingestion of this infusion does not cause any type of secondary effect, as long as the individual does not make an exaggerated consumption of the tea. Generally, the risks of poisoning from this infusion increase when the herb is used without prior drying preparation, because although it is possible to prepare anise tea with its own plant, it is recommended to dry the leaves beforehand.

On the other hand, the high consumption of this infusion is not recommended under any circumstances, because this causes the individual to experience drowsiness and metal confusion, due to its narcotic property. In addition, it is not recommended that people with the following qualities consume it:

• Pregnant women, because it can cause abortions.
• Women during the lactation period.
• People with liver disease.
• People who are consuming alcohol (it is recommended to wait 48 hours after having consumed alcohol to drink this tea).
• Children under 7 years old.
• People with gastritis and digestive ulcers.
• People with intestinal diseases.

In case of noticing any alteration, it is recommended to suspend the consumption of this tea, in addition, it must be borne in mind that despite being an excellent option to combat certain diseases and pains, it should never replace current medicine.

Anise tea is an excellent drink to improve integral health; as long as you are careful with its consumption, since like everything, an exaggerated consumption can bring side effects.