Ledum starflower: useful properties and contraindications

Badjanum is known to many as an oriental spice, but few people know what benefits it brings the body with regular use.

What is badjan and what does it look like

Badjan is an exotic fruit of a tree which grows mainly in Southeast Asia and belongs to the Anise family, the scientific name is Illicium. The fruit of the badian looks like a flower with narrowed petals, each containing a seed. Some also compare it to an eight-pointed star, which is how it got its second name, starry.

What is the difference between the badjan and the anise?

Many people confuse the two spices, but they are not the same thing. If badian is the dried fruit of a tree, anise is the seeds of an annual plant. Anise has been used in everyday life since ancient times, added to dough and drinks. It is loved because of its fresh and at the same time sweet flavor. But many people know about anise because of its wide use in the making of spirits. The well-known raki, absinthe, sambuca, ouzo and many other spirits contain aniseed in their composition.

The star anise is often called star anise. You should not confuse these two quite different spices, grown in quite different conditions. The only similarity between them is the aroma. The smell is very similar, but still badian is more spicy, and along with sweetness there is a bitterness. Badian is often added to tea, coffee, and mulled wine. A more detailed comparison:

1. The two spices grow quite differently. Anise is an annual that grows as a bush, similar to dill. Badian is a large tree. After flowering, it bears fruits that dry out and are used as a spice.
2. Taste Features. There are great similarities between the two spices. The aroma is very similar, but the badian has a more pronounced aroma.
3. The medicinal properties of these spices are also similar. There are differences, but not significant.
4. Badjanus and anise in cooking. Both spices belong to the category of sweet. Some types of baked goods can be sprinkled with anise seeds before baking, while the badanian is crushed and added directly to the dough.

These two spices are interchangeable, so you can add to a dish what is on hand, it will not spoil the taste of cooking.

Composition and calories

Badjan is a caloric spice. So, for 100 g of the product, there are 337 calories. The vitamin composition is also rich; it includes vitamins B, A, PP, C, rutin and choline. Badjanus contains essential oils, tannin, terpenes and a large amount of proteins and carbohydrates. The unique properties that badanja possesses are due to the following minerals:

1. Potassium. Favorably affects the body's water-salt balance, stabilizes the heartbeat, blocks cell mutation and improves brain function. Potassium has an effect on increasing work capacity and helps flush excess fluid out of the body.
2. Magnesium. Promotes immunity, strengthens blood vessels and capillaries.
3. Calcium. Strengthens bone and cartilage tissue, restores dental enamel, normalizes the work of the organs of internal secretion, has a positive effect on sperm activity.
4. Phosphorus. Increases mental and physical activity. Promotes oxygen circulation to the brain.
5. Iron. Has a beneficial effect on the thyroid gland, prevents anemia and liver inflammation.
6. Selenium. It prevents the development of cancer, increases the body's resistance to bacteria, and helps eliminate toxins.
7. Zinc. Improves the production of testosterone in the blood, helps to rejuvenate the body. Helps fight inflammatory processes in the body.
8. Manganese. Stabilizes reproductive function, regulates protein and fat metabolism, improves the body's production of thyroxine, which has a supporting function for the thyroid gland.
9. Copper. Normalizes the spleen, improves vision, increases mental alertness and is directly involved in blood formation.

Don't forget that dried banjain fruits are a source of two powerful antioxidants. They contain linalool and vitamin C, which perfectly protect the body from harmful toxins. Read more about the beneficial substances that are contained in the composition of badjan:

1. Atenol. A unique substance that helps in the fight against cancer and diabetes. Beneficial effect on brain function.
2. Vitamin C. Increases immunity and protects the body from various infections.
3. В1. Synthesizes amino acids and enzymes. It regulates the functioning of the nervous, digestive and cardiovascular systems.
4. Linalool. Has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Useful properties of badjan

General benefits

Due to the large number of beneficial substances contained in the badjan, which comprehensively support the body, it is recognized as very useful and recommended for consumption.

1. Badian is widely used in the treatment of colds. It has antipyretic properties, restores respiratory functions and helps relieve a stuffy nose. It is because of the above properties, many medicines aimed at combating cough and sore throat, contain in their composition the buttermilk. In the case of headaches, it is recommended to inhale the aroma of the fruit of badjan to improve well-being. Those who regularly use this spice in cooking, but do not abuse it, are less likely to fall ill with colds.
2. The use of badjan in food helps to restore the function of the gastrointestinal tract. It is good to take badjan for the prevention of cancer, heart attacks, strokes and strengthening the cardiovascular system.
3. Badjanus has antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties due to its anetole content.
4. Star anise has a beneficial effect on the brain, improving cerebral circulation. In those who systematically consume badinj in food, the risk of cerebral hemorrhage is reduced.
5. Effective in the treatment of bladder inflammation, which is caused by bacterial infections.

For women

Those representatives of the weaker sex, who suffer from pain before and during menstruation, will appreciate badjan as a pain reliever. Tincture of the fruit of badians also restores the broken cycle.

This is not very well known, because butanine is a very powerful aphrodisiac, which has the power to arouse the women's sexual desire and increase their physiological activity.

For men

As you know, men are more susceptible to stress than the fairer sex. The strong sex experiences everything inside, men are less emotional, so the strain on the heart is very high. Badjanum strengthens the cardiovascular system, has a positive effect on the heart.

Also, this spice has a stimulating effect. Men who suffer from poor potency are recommended to drink decoction of badjan at least once a week.

When pregnant

Badjanus is categorically contraindicated to pregnant women because of the oils and specific complex of vitamins it contains, which can provoke a miscarriage. Star anise used to be practiced as an abortifacient that causes bleeding.

During Breastfeeding.

During lactation, nutrition needs to be treated with care. Some products have a negative effect on milk production and the baby's well-being. For example, badjan should be taken at the beginning to speed up the flow of milk. You should put 10 grams of ground badjan in a glass and pour boiling water over it. Insist such a decoction for a short time - five minutes is enough. Then dilute with milk in the proportion one to ten and drink instead of tea. When milk comes, the use of such a remedy should be discontinued, so as not to harm the baby.

The next lactation crisis may occur in a woman when the baby is 3 months old. Often due to stress during this period, the amount of milk decreases significantly, then you can prepare an effective remedy from badjan and drink 2 tablespoons three times a day.

For children

Children under five years of age are strictly forbidden. Only mouthwashes are allowed. Infants, when teething, can sprinkle the mouth with decoction of badjan.

To prepare such a decoction, you need a star of badjan, pour a liter of boiling water and cool. By sprinkling the baby's mouth with this liquid, you can alleviate pain arising from teething. But older children are allowed to drink tea with the addition of badjan, one of the properties of which is to increase appetite.

For weight loss.

Badjanus is an excellent remedy for fighting excess weight. When used in food, it has a good effect on the metabolism and helps with the removal of toxins from the body. The essential oil of banjain is also effective in anti-cellulite massage.

To lose weight, you need to include in your diet tea with badjan and cinnamon. Such a potion should be drunk before meals. Badjanum is useful, even if you throw an asterisk into a traditional black or green tea and let it infuse for a few minutes.

The essential oil should be used in anti-cellulite massage, which is necessary in conjunction with diet and exercise in the fight against excess weight. To make a massage oil with badjanum, you need to take a base. For her perfectly suitable almond or olive oil. It should be mixed with star anise oil in the proportion of 10 to 1.

Is tea with badjanum useful?

Due to the vitamin composition of the spice, tea with badjanus is very useful and helps with the following ailments:

1. Colds, respiratory diseases, bronchitis. If you drink tea during an illness, it will go much easier. Tea with badjan is excellent for cleansing the bronchi and has a coughing effect.
2. Cramps occurring in the intestines. Tea with badjanum helps to eliminate intestinal upset, abdominal pain and flatulence. Tea with badjanum helps with intestinal upset.
3. Women's diseases. It happens that due to taking strong antibiotics, women have a disrupted menstrual cycle. Tea with star anise helps to restore it.
4. Weakening of the immune system. The drink restores a weakened immune system.

Regular consumption of tea with badjanus develops resistance to seasonal diseases. Such tea is recommended for nursing mothers to increase lactation and restore the body after childbirth in general.

How to brew

Tea with badjan is delicious and very easy to brew. To do this, you need to boil water, throw 2-3 stars of badjan in a glass and pour boiling water. The tea should infuse well, so you should wait 10-15 minutes. After that, take the badian out of the water and add honey to the tea to taste. It is recommended to drink hot tea with badjan, 2-3 times a day.

Lovers of spices can add ground cloves or cinnamon to the tea, which will make the taste of the drink brighter and spicier.

Use of Badjanus in Traditional Medicine

Since ancient times, people have known that spices are effective in healing, and used them instead of medicines. In the Middle Ages, they could not be purchased anywhere; they were sold only in drugstores and cost much more than ordinary everyday products.

In folk medicine, badjanum is used for stomach upsets, spasms, constipation. Treat the digestive system with special decoctions of this spice. Badian root also has medicinal properties and is widely used in folk medicine, although only its fruits are used in cooking.

Effective healing recipes based on badjan:

1. Tincture for stomach pain and flatulence. Crush three badjan sprigs and pour boiling water over them for an hour. Two glasses of water are needed for this amount of spice. Drink the tincture by half a glass, four times a day.
2. An expectorant for dry coughs. Grind 10 sprigs of badjan, pour 100 grams of vodka and put in a dark, cool place for 21 days. When coughing, mix 1 teaspoon of tincture with 1 teaspoon of honey and take. This fast-acting remedy will help get rid of coughs in a short period of time.
3. Tea for fast weight loss. In a brew pot, you need to put two dried fruits of badjan and one cinnamon pod. Separately, brew black leaf tea and pour it into the brew pot with spices.
4. Against sore throat. In case of sore throat, it is useful to gargle with a decoction of badjan. 2 tablespoons of ground badian should be poured with a glass of boiling water, cool, strain and add 2 teaspoons of lemon juice. Gargle your throat at least twice a day, preferably after each meal.
5. Effective in the fight against parasites. To prepare a remedy you need badjanum powder. 5 g pour a liter of boiling water, cool and strain. Drink one glass twice a day.
6. A miracle recipe for a cough. 2 star of badjanum and 4 rose hips pour 300 ml boiling water. Then cover with a lid and allow to infuse, 10 minutes is enough. This drink dress up with honey and drink instead of tea. In a day of frequent intakes you can get rid of the hated cough.
7. Effective for the treatment of the mouth. Pour 2-3 stars of badjan in a glass of boiling water, then cover with a lid and let stand for 30 minutes. You can add a spoonful of honey or lemon juice. Rinse your mouth after each brushing.

Badjanum in cosmetology

Benjamin essential oil is a source of vitamins and minerals, which is why it is so widely used in cosmetology. One of the main properties of this oil is skin regeneration. It promotes skin rejuvenation, gives it elasticity and smoothness. Effective masks based on badjanum essential oil:

For very dry skin

A medium-sized potato, homemade milk and one drop of badjan oil are needed. Boil the potatoes until tender and mash them with the necessary amount of milk, according to the principle of making mashed potatoes, which are usually prepared for eating, but without adding salt. Then add to it the essential oil and mix well. Spread the mask all over the face and leave it for half an hour. After rinsing it off with warm water. This procedure can be done once or twice a week. After a month you will see a clear result.

Rejuvenating mask

To make this mask you need oily sour cream, honey and badjan oil. Mix all three components and apply to the face with a cotton pad. Hold the mask for 10 minutes and wash off with cool water.

For oily skin

Ingredients for the mask: tomato paste, badjan oil and almond oil - one drop each. Mix the products and apply to the face, avoiding the eye area. Rinse after 20 minutes, after the procedure your face should be moisturized.

Mask for hair loss

To prepare the mask you need dry mustard - 1 tablespoon, egg yolk and 2 drops of essential oil of badjan. All ingredients should be mixed and rubbed into the scalp, the remainder should be distributed on the length of the hair and do not wash off for 20-30 minutes. After the mask rinse thoroughly with warm water. This procedure should be done before each hair wash. The effect is noticeable after two months of regular use.

Fruit balm for hair with badjanum

To prepare an effective balm for the hair, which has restorative properties, you will need a banana, an apple, an orange and badjan. Crush the banana and add grated apple to it. You will need four oranges of medium size. Boil the citrus fruit and squeeze out the juice, then add it to the fruit mixture. Grind 2 cloves of badjan in a coffee grinder and add to the fruit. After thoroughly mixing, apply the balm to the washed hair, hold for 20 minutes and rinse with warm water. The vitamin-rich product restores damaged hair and makes it softer.

Using oil of badjan, you can significantly improve the condition of your skin. But it is used not only to restore the facial skin, but also to moisturize the body. Essential oil can cause allergies, so allergy sufferers should consult a doctor before making masks at home.

Culinary Uses

Badjanus is quite widely used in cooking, both in whole and in ground form. This spice is so versatile that it can be added to both sweet and savory dishes. Badian is added to:

• In a popular Chinese spice called "five spices";
• canned vegetables (most often pumpkins and zucchini);
• drinks;
• garam masala mix;
• broths and stews;
• confectionery.

The uses of badjan in cooking are so wide that it is impossible to count them all. It can be added to a curd dessert as well as a traditional kissel.

Persimmon jam with badian

To make this amazing-tasting jam, you need the following ingredients: 6 pieces of persimmons, a star of badyan, half a kilogram of sugar and a stick of vanilla. The cooking method is very simple. First you need to wash, peel off the green stems and cut into medium cubes of persimmons. After that, add sugar and badanji. Boil on low heat for two hours. Then take it off the stove, cool it down completely and boil it again for an hour and a half. At the end, add vanilla to taste. The jam turns out very tender and delicious.

Homemade mulled wine

Spices and quality wine are the basis of good mulled wine. The recipe is designed for three servings. Ingredients needed: 700 grams of red semisweet wine, 3 tablespoons of sugar, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 2-3 cinnamon sticks, a few slices of ginger root, 3 stars of badjan, a few grains of cardamom, 2 cloves, 2-3 peppercorns, two pinches of ground nutmeg and half a lemon. Finely chop the lemon and ginger, mix the sugar and cinnamon powder. Pour the wine into a saucepan and put it on low heat, when it is hot add the spices, ginger and lemon. At the end, add sugar mixed with cinnamon powder.

Do not bring the wine to the boil. You must take it off the fire when the wine is just about to boil. Once removed from the fire, wrap the pot with mulled wine in a warm towel and allow the drink to infuse. The towel will not let the mulled wine cool, while the spices added to the wine will reveal their flavors. It is recommended to pour the drink after 10-15 minutes.

Homemade Mandarin Liqueur with Badjanus

A delicious alcoholic drink, which you can easily make at home, having the following products: 3 tangerines, 2 star of badjan, 350 grams of sugar, 200 grams of vodka and half a liter of water. To begin the preparation of the liqueur, you need to prepare the tangerines - wash, steep and peel them. Tangerine skins put in a separate container and pour vodka. Soak for 4 days in the refrigerator.

Tangerines without peel should be packed in a bag and also put in the refrigerator. After 3 days, take the mandarins out of the fridge, cut them up, put them in a saucepan or canteen, pour sugar on them and add the badjan. It is no longer necessary to put them in the fridge, just leave the pan at room temperature and stir the contents periodically. The next day add water to the mandarins, put the pot on fire, bring to a boil and boil for 7-10 minutes. Then remove from heat and allow to cool completely. Then strain the syrup and add to the mandarin peel with vodka. Leave the mixture for another 2-3 days, then pour it into a bottle and that's it - the liquor is ready to drink. The strength of the drink is 20 degrees.

Chicken legs with badjanum in the oven

A dish that is prepared very quickly and turns out delicious. For preparation you need: half a kilogram of chicken shanks, 150 grams of soy sauce, badian - 1 star, garlic - 3 cloves, sugar - 1 tablespoon, salt to taste, vinegar - a tablespoon, corn oil - 2 tablespoons and ground pepper. Wash chicken shanks, remove the remaining feathers, if any, and place on a baking tray. Separately mix sauce, spices, vinegar and oil, add crushed garlic. With this mixture pour the legs and send to the preheated oven for 25 minutes. When serving, decorate with herbs.

Most often used in the preparation of sweet baked goods: gingerbread, cakes, pies, muffins, in China - when cooking pork, duck and beef. It is also added to fish dishes and soups.

How it can be substituted

In cooking, cinnamon, cumin, and anise are considered interchangeable products for badian. But it is anise that is most similar in smell. If you do not have on hand badjanin, and a culinary masterpiece with its use is planned, you can easily take anise - it is unlikely to find someone who will feel a huge difference in taste.

Harms and contraindications

In addition to the tremendous benefits that this miraculous plant can bring, the badjan can be very harmful to the human body. It is important to know what components you can combine badin, so as not to cause a negative reaction of the product. What can be harmful to the human body?

1. It is strictly forbidden to combine badanja with dill and lingonberry leaves. This can cause dehydration of the body.
2. This is not recommended for people who are on a salt-free diet, and it is also contraindicated for people who are on a salt-free diet to use this spice.
3. Badjanum is not recommended to people who suffer from diseases of the nervous system, epileptics and those who have an increased excitability. This spice can only worsen the condition, so it is better not to risk it. People suffering from vegetative vascular dystonia, before using badjan must necessarily consult a doctor.
4. Badjanum is contraindicated in pregnancy. For a woman, it will not cause any harm, but it has a negative impact on the development of the fetus. Badjanum can cause bleeding, and subsequently a miscarriage.
5. Allergy sufferers should be wary of this product. Allergies can manifest as a rash or swelling.

Care should be taken with the use of essential oil of badjan. Incorrect use can cause burns to the skin. To avoid this, you need to mix badjan oil with other ingredients.

How to choose and store

Choosing the right spice is not a simple matter. To choose a good badjan, you need to pay attention to its size and color. The color of the "star" should be brown with a reddish hue, and the size - about 3-4 centimeters. You should pay attention to the integrity of the fruit.

If the badanian is dark brown, almost black in color, it is not recommended to buy such a spice. Such a shade indicates that it was dried incorrectly. You can easily check the freshness of the spice by breaking a piece: if its flavor intensifies, it means that the badjan is fresh, but if its flavor remains the same, you shouldn't buy it, it's starting to fade. You should also pay attention to the fact that dried fruits of badjan should never be sold with stalks.

When choosing ground badjan, you should pay attention to the color of the powder - ideally it should be red-brown. If the color is paler or darker than indicated, there is a possibility that it was ground together with the sprigs or it was stored unpackaged for a long time and only then packed.

Store starred and ground badians away from sunlight, in a cool, airtight plastic container. Glass and wooden containers are also suitable, as long as the lid fits well on the container itself. The shelf life of badjan (under the right conditions) - 12 months, but it's better to use up the spice earlier, because the fragrant spice quickly wears out and the smell becomes less saturated.

Many people are used to store spices in the refrigerator and this is a great place to store them, but if there is no such a possibility, you can do with a kitchen cabinet, most importantly, do not forget about an airtight container.

Interesting facts about horse rosemary

Spices and spices give any dish a twist. It is with the help of spices, every cook, like a magician, plays with the taste of food. But in the past, it was not so - with the help of spices masked the flavor of spoiled food.

Badjanum is a herb known around the world. In addition to its traditional culinary and medicinal uses, it is used in different ways in different parts of the world:

1. The Chinese use dried sprigs to freshen their breath. They break up the dried fruit of the badjan, put some in their mouth and throw it away after a while. Badian is effective in eliminating the odors of spicy foods, even garlic.
2. The Japanese are obsessed with incense. They have found a way to use the bark of the badjan tree for this purpose.
3. Badian stars are so beautiful that Europeans manage to use them as an element of decoration, especially at Christmas time.
4. In the past, badians were used in shipbuilding as a dye for the wood from which ships were made.
5. In some nations, the frankincense was used as an amulet. It was revered and even used in fumigations and magical rituals.
6. Badjanum is an excellent antidote to poisonous snake bites. Inhabitants of the tropics still use it effectively to this day in treating patients who have suffered from snake bites.
7. Star anise is widely used in perfumes of cosmetics.

Not everyone knows that the star anise has a detrimental effect on a number of insects: mosquitoes, lice, fleas, mites, bedbugs and moths - categorically do not tolerate the aroma of this fresh spice.

In the Caucasus grows a plant called "wild badian", but you should be careful, it is poisonous and should not be eaten. Despite minor visual similarities, it is impossible to confuse it with real badian, as the wild plant exudes an unpleasant aroma.

Since the early 2000s, they began extracting shikimic acid from the badjan, which is used in the manufacture of the medicine Tamiflu. It is effective in the fight against avian flu. It is surprising that the focus of the virus coincides territorially with the place where the badjan is sprouting.

It is also interesting that badians can burn, but not burn at the same time. Cases of spontaneous combustion of badjan in direct sunlight have been recorded. When burning, it has a bright blue flame.

Badjanum is a godsend not only for the person involved in cooking, but also for anyone who cares about their health.

Photo of badjanum