Clove is very popular, since it is not only used to season food, in infusion this spice can provide health benefits; It can also be combined with more ingredients such as chamomile tea and cinnamon herbal tea, which are used as a home remedy.
Among all the combinations of clove tea is anise, which is one of the oldest medicinal plants in the world, according to the scientific journal Neurologyand in infusion it has the ability to positively impact the body.
What is anise and what is its difference from star anise?
Before telling you what benefits clove infusion with anise has, it is important that you keep in mind that there are two types of anise, which are obtained from different plants.
Anise, also known as green anise or anise seedsis the fruit of Pimpinella anisum L., a medicinal plant, according to the Spanish Society of Neurology.
Healthline explains that this comes from the same family as carrots, celery and parsley. The plant from which it is extracted produces flowers with a small white fruit, which is the anise seed.
Star anise, the other variety, is obtained from the fruit of the Chinese evergreen tree, points out the specialized health portal, which explains that its name was given because The seeds of the spice are star-shaped.
“Given the similarities in their flavor and names, star anise is often confused with anise, although the two spices are not related,” he adds. Healthline. On this occasion, we will only address the health benefits of anise.
What benefits does clove tea with anise have?
Clove, which comes from the dried bud of an evergreen tree also called carnation, along with anise tea, is often used to prevent illness and promote good health.
Despite this, only some of its benefits have been corroborated by science, so below we present some of the proven benefits of anise infusion with cloves on the body.
They may help with gastric ulcers
If you suffer from ulcers, clove and anise seed tea can “quiet” your stomach, since it has been shown that both ingredients can be useful for the treatment of this condition.
Gastric ulcers are sores that form in the mucosa that lines the stomach or in the first part of the small intestine, according to Medline Plusand cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, pain and fatigue.
Healthline indicates that test tube studies found that cloves can have an effect against Helicobacter pylori, which is a bacteria that can cause ulcers.
Anise also has properties that can protect your stomachbecause a study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology found that anise “significantly inhibited gastric mucosal damage.”
This research done in rodents also found that anise managed to reduce gastric acid secretion, heartburn and ulceration; However, more studies on anise with cloves are necessary to address this problem.
Can clove tea with anise lower blood sugar?
Medical News Today explains that a study carried out on rodents, which were given clove powder, found that this species managed to reduce blood sugar levels compared to mice who were not given it.
Another research published in the National Library of Medicine found that people who consumed clove extract for 30 days had a significant reduction in blood glucose after meals.
Healthline adds that the main active ingredient in anise is anethole, which has the ability to keep blood sugar levels under control when combined with a healthy diet.
The health portal explains that a study published in the National Library of Medicine found that anethole improved blood sugar levels in rats with diabetes.
In both cases more research in humans is required to evaluate how anise seeds with cloves may affect blood sugar levels; Remember that you should never replace your medications with home remedies.
Anise with cloves for disease prevention
Cloves and anise are a rich source of antioxidants; Medical News Today explains that “just 1/2 teaspoon of ground cloves contains more antioxidants than 1/2 cup of blueberries.”
Healthline adds that this spice contains eugenol, a compound that has antioxidant propertieswhich are very beneficial for having a healthy life and preventing diseases.
These are relevant, because antioxidants are capable of fighting free radicals in the body, which can cause damage to cells, increasing the risk of suffering from cancer and other diseases, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Medical News Today explains that a study analyzed the effect of different preparations of clove extract on human breast cancer cells and found that clove essential oil is toxic to cancer cells.
Anise has another property that can be useful in disease prevention, because anise seeds can reduce inflammation, according to studies presented by Healthline.
Chronic inflammation is an abnormal response in the body that can damage healthy cells, tissues and organs, promoting the development of diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes and asthma, according to the National Cancer Institute, so it is possible that anise is useful.
Can it eliminate bacteria and fungi?
Healthline explains that cloves have been shown to have antimicrobial propertieswhich means that it can help prevent the growth of bacteria.
A study published in Brazilian Journal of Microbiology where these properties were studied, came to the conclusion that “clove essential oil can be considered a potential antimicrobial agent for external use”, so it is unknown if clove tea has the same effect.
“Anethole, the active ingredient in anise seeds, also inhibits bacterial growth“, explains the specialized health portal Healthline.
A study featured on this site found that anise is effective against certain strains of fungi, including yeasts and dermatophytes, which can cause skin diseases; however, more studies are necessary.
Who can’t drink clove tea with anise?
WebMD indicates that there is not enough information to know whether or not it is safe to consume cloves in large quantities, so it is recommended eat it moderately.
Anise is considered a safe food for most people without the risk of adverse side effects, explains HealthlineHowever, it recommends being careful with allergies.
Despite this, there are people who should avoid or limit the consumption of anise infusion with cloves, according to Healthline and Medline Plus these are:
- Pregnant or breast-feeding people: There is not enough reliable information to know whether it is safe to use cloves in large amounts during pregnancy or breast-feeding.
- People undergoing surgery: Clove can affect blood sugar levels and slow blood clotting.
- People with endometriosis: The estrogen-mimicking properties of anise may worsen the symptoms of the condition.