It facilitates the secretion of bile and helps detoxify the liver.
Bloating, cramps, heaviness in the stomach. Digestive problems can spoil the after-meal. They are common when the diet is not sufficiently balanced or during meals that are too rich, occasionally. To improve digestive comfort, our naturopath recommends a plant to always have in your cupboard. “This plant has a eupeptic function, which means that it facilitates digestion” explains Clémence Charpentier, naturopath and mycotherapist.
It is rich in trans-anethole, a compound that facilitates the secretion of bile necessary for digestion and also stimulates enzymes useful for detoxification of the liver and helps in its regeneration. Its anti-infectious properties are also beneficial for the intestinal flora, essential for maintaining good transit. Did you guess it? This is star anise, also called “star anise”. Star anise is the fruit of a plant called “Chinese star anise”. “It has a very broad sphere of action. It is effective for dyspepsia, that is to say difficult digestions, for aerophagia or even in cases of aerogastria”continues the naturopath. Star anise is used in cooking in spice mixes, curries, or even in mulled wine. It has a rather aniseed taste, similar to that of green anise.
Star anise can be found commercially and in organic stores. It is easily used as a herbal tea: “The ideal is to drink a cup within an hour of main meals, so at lunchtime and in the evening, or less than an hour and a half after the meal, this is what we call a digestive herbal tea. “ Indeed, if we wait too long after meals we risk diluting the digestive juices necessary for the assimilation of sugars and proteins and therefore making digestion more laborious, which would be counterproductive. To make the herbal tea, simply “bring the equivalent of a large cup of water to the boil then add 2 star anise and leave to infuse for between 5 and 10 minutes off the heat”explains Clémence Charpentier.
In addition to natural remedies, the naturopath recalls the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle in order to avoid digestive problems, and this requires a balanced diet. “Food is the crux of the matter. Many digestive problems come from dietary errors, so it’s worth taking stock with a specialist. Sometimes it’s enough to remove or add a food and that’s the end of the problem.” she concludes.