It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year … until … it isn’t. Holiday festivities, pesky colds, lingering flus, the threat of RSV or Covid. No matter how vigilant you are with hand washing and maintaining good health, sometimes you just get sick.
For those of you have read previous AWH posts, you know by now that I turn to my pantry first, before I head to the medicine cabinet. I feel strongly about the power of preventative, and nutritional medicine, especially as a first line of defense. Today we are visiting a known Chinese medicinal herb, star anise. A warming, calming herb that is beneficial to ingest during colder months, or when you have too much “cold” energy in your blood.
Star Anise Tea
A little unknown fact is that Star Anise, the key ingredient, and theme of this post, is known for its antiviral effects. It contains a chemical, shikimic acid, which is a component of Tamiflu! So, if you have a few extra sniffles this holiday season, or just want a delicious and cozy beverage to ward off any illness, then enjoy a cup of Star Anise tea.
Recipe
Mix the following ingredients in a pot on the stove and simmer for 30 minutes.
4 cups Water
2 tsp Tumeric
2 tsp minced Ginger
2 tsp ground Cinnamon
1 tsp Nutmeg
pinch of sea salt
It is that simple! Another benefit of this delicious, anti-inflammatory tea is that smells like potpourri. Simmer some on your stove and enjoy the warm, inviting cozy scent of Christmas.
I normally drink it hot, although sometimes it is fun to put in a party glass with some sparking water and make a spritzer. A little goes a long way and there are options for creativity this holiday season.
I like to store any extra tea in these jars in the fridge. Will last a few days – if you make it that long. We usually consume it right away, it is that good.
Reference
Star anise (Illicium vernum): Chemical compounds, antiviral properties, and clinical relevance. Phytother Res. 2020. accessed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31997473/
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