The benefits of star anise for health have long been known. Apart from being believed to be able to treat influenza, there are several other benefits of this star-shaped spice.
Bunga Lawang (Illicium verum) is a spice native to China and Vietnam that grows from the fruit of the Chinese cypress tree. This spice is often used as a food seasoning because of its sweet taste, almost like the taste of licorice and fennel.
Various Benefits of Lawang Flowers for Health
Lawang flowers contain almost no macronutrients (carbohydrates, fats, proteins) or micronutrients (vitamins and minerals). Even so, this spice contains a lot of bioactive compounds that are beneficial for the body.
Here are some bioactive compounds in anise:
- Tannins
- anetol
- Linalool
- Limonene
- Flavonoids,such as quercetin,kaempferol, and anthocyanins
- shikimic acid(shikimicacid)
- Gallic acid
These compounds are already many proven benefits for health. Seeing the many bioactive compounds contained in the flower of Lawang, it is not surprising that this spice can provide various health benefits. The following are some of the benefits of Lawang flower that you need to know:
Treating influenza
The content of shikimic acid in Lawang flower is known to have very strong antiviral properties. In fact, this substance is used as one of the main active ingredients in one of the popular drug brands for the treatment of influenza. That is why star anise is considered effective in helping treat influenza.
Overcoming fungal and bacterial infections
. Lawang flower is known as one type of spice that has the most potent antifungal properties. This is because the flower of the flower is a source of anetol and linalool which has been shown to have the potential to inhibit the growth of fungal infections in humans.
Not only that, a study also suspects that Lawang flower extract can inhibit the growth of bacteria, even those that are already resistant to several types of antibiotics. This herb is also thought to be effective in treating urinary tract infections caused by various kinds of bacteria.
Preventing mosquito bites
Bunga Lawang is also effectively used to prevent Aedes aegypti mosquito bites. This can happen because the flower of Lawang contains a variety of essential oils, such as anetol, linalool, and limonene, which mosquitoes do not like. In addition, linalool can also cause irritation to the mosquito's body.
In addition to those mentioned above, there are still several health benefits of Lawang flower, such as promoting breast milk, increasing sexual desire, overcoming menstrual disorders, overcoming lung swelling, and relieving coughs and flatulence.
Although there are various health benefits of Lawang flower, it is important to know that most of these benefits still need to be proven by reliable research and clinical trials. Therefore, be careful in using the flower of Lawang as a traditional medicine.
One example is the use anise to cope with colic in bayi.The benefits of this one flower are already quite well known in the community, but later experts found that this use could be dangerous for babies.
So, take the benefits of star anise in the safest way, by incorporating it into your daily diet. Besides being able to get additional taste, you can also get the benefits of star anise from its bioactive compounds.
However, if you want to use star anise to treat certain ailments, be sure to consult your doctor first. It is very important to know the effectiveness and safety of star anise against your condition, as well as its interactions with the drugs you are currently taking.