CASE OF THE STAR ANISE

We are often held in awe to note what modest stuff may really do for mankind. I always keep a bottle of star anise on my spice rack. What Malaysian housewife won't, anyway. I use it for fish curry and briyani rice that's all.I guess that speaks of my culinary prowess. It would appear that the Chinese, Vietnamese and Indians do find a multitude of use for it in their food preparation.

Recently, it came to my knowledge that apart from it's culinary uses, the Chinese and the Indians have long been using it for medicinal purposes. For example, I now recall the anise seeds served in Indian restaurants after meal to aid digestion. In Traditional Chinese medicine, star anise is used as a warm and moving herb that assists in relieving cold-stagnation in the middle jiao.

In 2005, there was a temporary shortage of star anise due to its use in making Tamiflu. The 2009 swine flu outbreak led to another series of shortages as stocks of Tamiflu were built up around the world, sending prices soaring. Wo.......that is news to me! Tamiflu is a trade name for Oseltamivir, an antiviral drug that slows the spread of the flu virus in the body. Unfortunately, as of April 2010, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that 268 out of over 15,000 samples of the prevalent 2009 pandemic H1N1 (swine) flu tested worldwide have shown resistance to oseltamivir. Noted as well are the political figures who served on the board of the producing company.

Back home, people are brewing the star anise ...........

My Tipping Point

After several calls to the supplier and the courier regarding my long awaited consignment, it finally arrived on the evening of March 31, 2010. They were two lovely white bottles of 1 quart (approx. 944 ml) each.

Eagerly I poured out the first 2ml and took a little sip. Hmm...not bad at all. Then I passed the glass on to my hubby and then to my son to take a sip as well. I finished up the rest. About two hours later while watching TV, I felt a tingling sensation in my body much like something is "clearing up" and it felt..... relieving.

Next morning, for the first time in months, I felt no pain when taking my first step after waking up in the morning! There was a little left over sensation though, but there was no real pain of note! I know it is still early days but I am sure to keep on observing.

You see, some months ago after becoming a full time housewife, my left heel had started aching. It is specially bad after raising up in the morning in taking that first step. Hence walking and navigating the staircase became quite challenging. The doctor said it is Plantar Fasciitis, an inflammation of the band of tissue (the plantar fascia) that extends from the heel to the toes. In this condition, the fascia first becomes irritated and then inflamed, resulting in heel pain. I was given an ointment for rubbing and an oral medication,ibuprofen, also an anti-inflammatory. That suffice to keep matters under check then during my short trip to Singapore on the occasion of my nephew's wedding.

There are several symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis:

* Pain on the bottom of the heel

* Pain that is usually worse upon arising

* Pain that increases over a period of months

People with Plantar Fasciitis often describe the pain as worse when they get up in the morning or after they’ve been sitting for long periods of time. After a few minutes of walking the pain decreases, because walking stretches the fascia. For some people the pain subsides but returns after spending long periods of time on their feet.

Recommendations to patients include:

* Stretching exercises. Exercises that stretch out the calf muscles help ease pain and assist with recovery.

* Avoid going barefoot. When you walk without shoes, you put undue strain and stress on your plantar fascia.

* Ice. Putting an ice pack on your heel for 20 minutes several times a day helps reduce inflammation. Place a thin towel between the ice and your heel; do not apply ice directly to the skin.

* Limit activities. Cut down on extended physical activities to give your heel a rest.

* Shoe modifications. Wearing supportive shoes that have good arch support and a slightly raised heel reduces stress on the plantar fascia.

My right foot has also been telling me whenever my uric acid is elevated. Uric acid is a waste product normally present in the blood as a result of the breakdown of purines. Excessive amounts of uric acid can cause crystals to form in the joints and cause gout. Sometime I do get careless with my diet. I had bought some jackfruit three days earlier. Suddenly my right foot was also in pain for the two days I had been consuming the jackfruit. Upon realising it, I passed on the balance of the fruit to my son to finish off, which he did gladly. Ow...imagine both feet acting up on you!!

Imagine also a day without any pain ...