On the lookout for healthy ingredients that are safe and natural? You need not look far! We often forget that our Indian pantries are replete with benefiting ingredients that our ancestors swore by. A quick scan of the spice rack and you will come across many miracle masalas that to this day are a trusted source of medication for many. We don't base these statements on some age-old scriptures. The modern world has also accepted these daadi-naani-ke-nuske and many of these tips are highly celebrated for their benefits. Speaking of which, celebrity lifestyle coach and nutritionist Luke Coutinho recently shared a post about the benefits of a common Indian spice called star anise or chakra phool. Luke has worked with Bollywood celebrities like Shilpa Shetty, Tamannaah Bhatia, and many more, and is known for his holistic approach to fitness and health.
(Also read: Garam Masala Benefits: 5 Reasons The Indian Spice Mix Is Healthy For You)
Indian kitchen spices have many benefits
In his most recent post, he speaks about star anise and its many benefits along with how to use them. For the unversed, star anise or chakra phool is a commonly used spice in Indian and other Asian cuisines. It is commonly used in biryani, mutton, or chicken curries, and a list of other royal and rich dishes because of its exotic aroma and rich taste. Luke explains that this spice does wonders for flu, cold, viral fever, stuffy nose, mucus build-up, and indigestion too. He explains that the best time to have the star anise drink is 30 minutes after a meal, once or twice a day.
Wondering how to consume this beneficial ingredient? According to Luke, you can take one whole star and boil it in some water for 5 mins. He reveals that he likes to add ginger to his drink but that is totally optional. He also recommends adding a pinch of clove and cinnamon for their anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. Once the drink is made, you may sip it according to the suggestion made by Luke or see how you can fit the drink into your lifestyle. Take a look at the post here:
(Also read: Weight Loss: 5 Common Kitchen Spices That May Help You Lose Weight)
Luke captioned the post "The magic in this is shikimic acid...also used by pharma for the common Tamiflu drug...works wonders for thousands of our clients...hope it works for you too...kids over 5 can have a few sips...make an informed decision...if it suits you do it, if not then don't..."
Did you know about these benefits of star anise? If not, will you be trying the star anise drink as suggested by Luke Coutinho? Let us know in the comments below.