What makes moringa good for you?

What makes moringa good for you?

1.     What is in moringa?

2.     Benefits?

3.     Side effects

4.     Risks with existing medications

5.     Can it aid weight loss?

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·       Moringa oleifera is a plant that is often called the drumstick tree, the miracle tree, the ben oil tree, or the horseradish tree.

·       Moringa has been used for centuries due to its medicinal properties and health benefits. It also has anti-fungal, antiviral, antidepressant, and anti-inflammatory properties.

------------------------------------Mr. Sanjaykumar Vasoya (Biotechnologist)---------------------------------

Fast facts on moringa:

·       The tree is native to India but also grows in Asia, Africa, and South America.

·       Moringa contains a variety of proteins, vitamins, and minerals.

·       Moringa oleifera has few known side effects.

·       People taking medication should consult a doctor before taking moringa extract.

What is in moringa?

Moringa has medicinal properties and contains many healthful compounds.

Moringa contains many healthful compounds such as:

·       vitamin A

·       vitamin B1 (thiamine)

·       B2 (riboflavin)

·       B3 (niacin), B-6

·       folate and ascorbic acid (vitamin C)

·       calcium

·       potassium

·       iron

·       magnesium

·       phosphorus

·       zinc

It is also extremely low in fats and contains no harmful cholesterol.

What are the benefits?

Moringa is believed to have many benefits and its uses range from health and beauty to helping prevent and cure diseases. The benefits of moringa include:

1. Protecting and nourishing skin and hair

Moringa seed oil is beneficial for protecting hair against free radicals and keeps it clean and healthy. Moringa also contains protein, which means it is helpful in protecting skin cells from damage. It also contains hydrating and detoxifying elements, which also boost the skin and hair.

It can be successful in curing skin infections and sores.

2. Treating edema

Edema is a painful condition where fluid builds up in specific tissues in the body. The anti-inflammatory properties of moringa may be effective in preventing edema from developing.

3. Protecting the liver

Moringa appears to protect the liver against damage caused by anti-tubercular drugs and can quicken its repair process.

4. Preventing and treating cancer

Moringa extracts contain properties that might help prevent cancer developing. It also contains niazimicin, which is a compound that suppresses the development of cancer cells.

5. Treating stomach complaints

Moringa extracts might help treat some stomach disorders, such as constipation, gastritis, and ulcerative colitis. The antibiotic and antibacterial properties of moringa may help inhibit the growth of various pathogens, and its high vitamin B content helps with digestion.

6. Fighting against bacterial diseases

Due to its antibacterial, antifungal, and antimicrobial properties, moringa extracts might combat infections caused by Salmonella, Rhizopus, and E. coli.

7. Making bones healthier

Moringa also contains calcium and phosphorous, which help keep bones healthy and strong. Along with its anti-inflammatory properties moringa extract might help to treat conditions such as arthritis and may also heal damaged bones.

8. Treating mood disorders

Moringa is thought to be helpful in treating depression, anxiety, and fatigue.

9. Protecting the cardiovascular system

The powerful antioxidants found in Moringa extract might help prevent cardiac damage and has also been shown to maintain a healthy heart.

10. Helping wounds to heal

Extract of moringa has been shown to help wounds close as well as reduce the appearance of scars.

11. Treating diabetes

Moringa helps to reduce the amount of glucose in the blood, as well as sugar and protein in the urine. This improved the hemoglobin levels and overall protein content in those tested.

12. Treating asthma

Moringa may help reduce the severity of some asthma attacks and protect against bronchial constrictions. It has also been shown to assist with better lung function and breathing overall.

 13. Protecting against kidney disorders

People may be less likely to develop stones in the kidneys, bladder or uterus if they ingest moringa extract. Moringa contains high levels of antioxidants that might aid toxicity levels in the kidneys.

14. Reducing high blood pressure

Moringa contains isothiocyanate and niaziminin, compounds that help to stop arteries from thickening, which can cause blood pressure to rise.

15. Improving eye health

Moringa contains eyesight-improving properties thanks to its high antioxidant levels. Moringa may stop the dilation of retinal vessels, prevent the thickening of capillary membranes, and inhibit retinal dysfunction.

16. Treating anemia and sickle cell disease

Moringa might help a person's body absorb more iron, therefore increasing their red blood cell count. It is thought the plant extract is very helpful in treating and preventing anemia and sickle cell disease.

Side effects

·    Although Moringa may have very few reported side effects, a healthcare professional should be consulted before it is taken.

·       Anyone considering using moringa is advised to discuss it with a doctor first.

·       Moringa may possess anti-fertility qualities and is therefore not recommended for pregnant women.

·       There have been very few side effects reported.

·       People should always read the label on the extract and follow dosage instructions.

Risks

·       Some of the medications to be particularly aware of are:

·       Levothyroxine: Used to combat thyroid problems. Compounds in the moringa leaf may aid the thyroid function, but people should not take it in combination with other thyroid medication.

·       Any medications that might be broken down by the liver: Moringa extract may decrease how quickly this happens, which could lead to various side effects or complications.

·       Diabetes medications: Diabetes medications are used to lower blood sugar, which moringa also does effectively. It is vital to ensure blood sugar levels do not get too low.

·       High blood pressure medication: Moringa has shown to be effective at lowering blood pressure. Taking moringa alongside other drugs that lower blood pressure may result in it becoming too low.

Can it aid weight loss?

Evidence has shown that moringa extract can be effective in reducing and controlling weight gain in mice. Its high vitamin B content helps with smooth and efficient digestion and can assist the body when converting food into energy, as opposed to storing it as fat.

·       Moringa is thought to:

·       reduce weight gain

·       help to lower cholesterol and blood pressure

·       prevent inflammation

·       help the body convert fats into energy

·       reduce fatigue and improve energy levels

Vitamin B12: What to Know?

· How Much to Get?
· Food Sources of Vitamin B12
· Vitamin B12 Deficiency
· Pregnant or New Mom?
· Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
· Treatment
· Prevention
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Do you get enough vitamin B12? You’ll want to make sure that you do, in order to stay healthy. 

Vitamin B12 does a lot of things for your body. It helps make your DNA and your red blood cells, for example. 

Since your body doesn't make vitamin B12, you have to get it from animal-based foods or from supplements. And you should do that on a regular basis, because your body doesn’t store vitamin B12 for a long time. 

----------------------------------Mr. Sanjaykumar Vasoya (Biotechnologist)-------------------------------------
How Much to Get?

• The answer depends on things including your age, you’re eating habits and medical conditions, and what medications you take.
• The average recommended amounts, measured in micrograms (mcg), vary by age:
• Infants up to age 6 months: 0.4 mcg
• Babies age 7-12 months: 0.5 mcg
• Children age 1-3 years: 0.9 mcg
• Kids age 4-8 years: 1.2 mcg
• Children age 9-13 years: 1.8 mcg
• Teens age 14-18: 2.4 mcg (2.6 mcg per day if pregnant and 2.8 mcg per day if breastfeeding)
• Adults: 2.4 mcg (2.6 mcg per day if pregnant and 2.8 mcg per day if breastfeeding)

Food Sources of Vitamin B12

Milk and yogurt may increase vitamin B12 intake. Dairy products, including yogurt, are an excellent source of vitamin B12 and daily intake can help to meet the recommendation of 3.0 µg in order to prevent vitamin B12 deficiency, which is associated with serious health problems.

· Vegetarian foods high in vitamin B12 include fortified cereals, fortified fruit juices, fortified tofu, yogurt, milk, cheese, eggs, vitamin water, and whey powder. The daily value for vitamin B12 is 2.4μg per day, which has been recently reduced from 6μg per the USDA food labeling standards.

· Mushrooms do have B12 present. It is on both the surface of the mushroom and in the flesh of the mushroom. The majority of B12 is in the surface of the cup of the mushroom.

· You can get vitamin B12 in animal foods, which have it naturally, or from items that have been fortified with it.

· Animal sources include dairy products, eggs, fish, meat, and poultry. If you’re looking for a food fortified with B12, check the product’s Nutrition Facts label.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency

· Most people in the U.S. get enough of this nutrient. If you’re not sure, you can ask your doctor if you should get a blood test to check your vitamin B12 level.

· With age, it can become harder to absorb this vitamin. It can also happen if you have had weight loss surgery or another operation that removed part of your stomach, if you drink heavily, or if you’ve taken acid-reducing medications for a long time.

· You may also be more likely to develop vitamin B12 deficiency if you have:

· Atrophic gastritis, in which your stomach lining has thinned

· Pernicious anemia, which makes it hard for your body to absorb vitamin B12

· Conditions that affect your small intestine, such as Crohn's disease, celiac disease, bacterial growth, or a parasite

· Immune system disorders, such as Graves' disease or lupus

· You can also get vitamin B12 deficiency if you follow a vegan diet (meaning you don't eat any animal products, including meat, milk, cheese, and eggs) or you are a vegetarian who doesn't eat enough eggs or dairy products to meet your vitamin B12 needs. In both of those cases, you can add fortified foods to your diet or take supplements to meet this need.

Pregnant or New Mom?
· Are you a pregnant woman on a vegan or vegetarian diet, and plan to only breastfeed your baby? You should talk to your doctor before you have your baby, so that you have a plan in place for how you’ll get enough vitamin B12 to keep your baby healthy.

· Without enough vitamin B12, your baby could have developmental delays and not thrive and grow like he should.

Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency

· If you have vitamin B12 deficiency, you could become anemic. A mild deficiency may cause no symptoms. But if untreated, it may lead to symptoms such as:

· Weakness, tiredness, or lightheadedness

· Heart palpitations and shortness of breath

· Pale skin, A smooth tongue

· Constipation, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or gas

· Nerve problems like numbness or tingling, muscle weakness, and problems walking

· Vision loss,

· Mental problems like depression, memory loss, or behavioral changes

Treatment
· If you have pernicious anemia or have trouble absorbing vitamin B12, you'll need shots of this vitamin at first. You may need to keep getting these shots, take high doses of a supplement, or get it nasally after that.
· If you don’t eat animal products, you have options. You can change your diet to include vitamin B12-fortified grains, a supplement or B12 injections, or a high-dose oral vitamin B12 if you are deficient.
· Older adults who have a vitamin B12 deficiency should take a daily B12 supplement or a multivitamin that contains B12.
· For most people, treatment resolves the problem. But, any nerve damage that happened due to the deficiency could be permanent.

Prevention
· Most people can prevent vitamin B12 deficiency by eating enough meat, poultry, seafood, dairy products, and eggs.
· If you don't eat animal products, or you have a medical condition that limits how well your body absorbs nutrients, you can take vitamin B12 in a multivitamin or other supplement and foods fortified with vitamin B12.
· If you choose to take vitamin B12 supplements, let your doctor know, so he or she can make sure they won't affect any medicines you're taking.

Personal Brand Developments

“A brand is a reason to choose.”

• People buy products from the brands they trust and they can relate to. So, with the changing arena of marketing and branding, personal branding is even more important if you want to get a better job or want to sell your services to people.
• Personal branding is the process of developing a “mark” that is created around your name or your career. You use this “mark” to express and communicate your skills, personality and values. All of us want to make a mark and establish our personal brand to make ourselves stand out and be unique.

Here are the nine basic steps which will help you create your personal brand.

1. Who are you?

• The first step in creating a personal brand is to define yourself in terms of your skills, abilities, education, professional experiences, what you are passionate about, and what is your USP?
• The key to success is your specialization, your niche. So, first analyze all your qualities, abilities, education and experiences to define yourself, think about what you can do the best and how you can help others with your specialized skill.

“Passion and Personality is Key to a Strong Brand.

2. How are you perceived?

• In personal brand building, it is of utmost importance to know how people perceive you or think about you. Best way is to get feedback from your immediate manager, peer, someone you don’t report to, someone more senior than you, your boss’s boss, from your key customers or others outside the organization.
• Knowing how others perceive you, plays a very important role in your own self development and your personal branding. Other very important aspect is your online profile; do check on web what people find about you when they search online about you. Create impressive social and business profiles of yours online where people can know more about you and your work.

“You learn nothing from Life, if you think you are Right all the time.”

3. What do you want to achieve?

• First define what you want to achieve, whether it is your services you are specialized in or is it your product you have built and you want to sell it.
• Then identify the right target audience for your products or services.
• Then plan your communication in a very clear and consistent manner, be it your social media posts, blog articles, newsletters, or anything for that matter. It should clearly communicate the value your customers would get when they buy your products or hire your services.

“When you turn your Vision into Reality, You build the Future.”

4. Create Your Brand

• Now comes the brand creation and the first thing you want to do, is choose a name and slogan that will characterize you and is easy to remember, check on google if the same is not being used by someone else. Then choose your brand’s colors and make a logo that represents you and the corporate identity for your brand. Write some content in a very engaging manner with your own story using your bio with which the users can connect and engage with.

“Good Things happen when you believe in yourself.”

5. Create Your Ecosystem

• The next step in your brand building is creating your ecosystem. An ecosystem is a community of channels and their environment functioning as a whole to build relationships with consumers, also adding new channels where it makes sense to connect to new audiences.
• In the ecosystem, the role of the brand is to listen to the conversations happening around it, energize those conversations with interesting content and experiences. So, make your blog, the center of your online communications. Use social networks as places to socialize, share and interact. Use social media to enjoy and share entertainment and content which users can engage with.

“Always do your Best, no matter the Size of the Audience.”

6. Create Your Network

• To build your brand, you need connections. So, the next step in the brand building is creating your network.
• Follow the experts in your field, learn from them and create relationships. Actively participate in groups and forums in your field. Visit networking events related to your field and interact with members, introduce yourself and ask about them. Connect with them over social media or through emails.

“If they can do it, you can do better.”

7. Create Original Content

• Internet is inundated with lot of content already, so to position yourself as a valuable brand, you need to create original content where you post valuable content, useful to your users and update the blog frequently so that people keep coming on your blog to read it again and again.
• Create and share multimedia contents (audio and video) that are likely to go viral. It will make your brand reach to a larger audience. Always keep in mind to change your tone of voice according to the social media platform you are using.

“When your Why is big enough, you will find your How.”

8. Get Involved & Share

• Communication is the key to branding, so get into positive conversation, and actively engage in other user’s conversations on Social Networks. Leave meaningful comments on blogs in your field which will help you generate back-links to your blog, which will help you get more traffic on your blog.
• Also, don’t forget to share valuable content and posts created by others; it makes people think that you are actively reading the content in your field of specialization and share valuable information with your users to keep them updated.

9. Listen & Monitor

• Listening and monitoring your audience, competition and influences in your area of work is very important. Keep yourself updated on what is being talked about your brand and field on social media. Listen to and deal with criticism in a professional manner. You can also use the social media listening tools to monitor your brand and listen to your customers and prospects.
• Remember, building your Personal Brand is a slow process, but starting it right will ensure that the journey is enjoyable and the end is wonderful.

COCONUTS WATER :Super Cool 7 Benefits of Nariyal Paani,

Coconut Water or Nariyal paani as we know it, is a staple in many homes during summer. Starting the day with a glass of coconut water has more benefits than you can imagine. We in India have been fortunate to have abundant access to coconut water that is healthier for your body than any sports drink, cola drink, sugary premix or fruit juice.

NUTRITIONAL FACTS

From a nutritional point of view, water from a green tender coconut is packed with vitamins, electrolytes, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, phyto-hormones & cytokines. It has more potassium than in four bananas; is fat free with hardly any calories, and very easy to digest.

HEALTH BENEFITS

Here are some benefits of drinking coconut water regularly.

1 . Coconut water is a diuretic

When consumed regularly, it keeps your renal system (kidneys, bladder, ureters & urethra) healthy, prevents the occurrence of kidney stones, flushes out toxins like uric acid, phosphates, from the body via urine, & prevents urinary problems.

2 . Coconut water helps reduce weight

300 ml of coconut water has just 60 calories, compared to 139 calories in a cola drink, 142 in fruit juice and a whopping 200 in a sports drink. It provides nutrition, keeps you feeling full and suppresses the appetite. Having coconut water with breakfast or lunch keeps you from snacking between meals or reaching for high calorie meals and keeps water retention in check.

3 . Coconut water slows down the ageing process

Coconut water hydrates the cells and helps delay ageing at a cellular level, combats the effects of pollution, stress and irregular food habits. All this is due to the presence of cytokines, which are a group of proteins that improve the quality of cells & regulate immunity.

4 . Coconut Water rehydrates and restores

Loss of vital nutrients through sweat is one of the main reasons we feel sapped of energy, listless & lethargic during summer months. Coconut water replenishes the body of vital nutrients, gives energy and gets absorbed by the body instantaneously. For severe cases of dehydration, add a pinch of salt to coconut water for results that are the same as any ORS.

5 . Coconut water helps maintain blood pressure 

Coconut water which is packed with potassium, magnesium & Vitamin C is a natural way to main blood pressure. Potassium counteracts the effects of sodium (found in salt) which is known to increase the blood pressure. It also maintains a healthy heart by lowering bad cholesterol, reduces plaque formation in the arteries, increases circulation, & maintains good cholesterol in the body.

6 . Coconut water is good for the skin

Topical application of Coconut Water prevents acne, reduces blemishes, tightens pores, lightens scars, reduces wrinkles and slows down the ageing of skin. Coconut Water hydrates the skin & hair both from inside and outside.

7 . Coconut water is an anti-bacterial

Coconut water naturally prevents infections, boosts immunity, and maintains the healthy flora and fauna of the digestive system. The natural sugars in coconut water destroy microbes and disease causing pathogens making it a delicious and preventative addition to your diet.

So go ahead and make coconut water your preferred drink this summer. Stay Healthy, Stay Happy!

WE MUST STOP PARAQUAT NOW

Paraquat is among the most widely used pesticide for weed control and is the most toxic herbicide. Its adverse and chronic health effects are recognized and there is no antidote available.

1. Atrocities span 50 years

• This weed-killer, one of the most toxic without an antidote, continues to cause unnecessary harm and deaths worldwide. Paraquat is widely used by farmers in various agricultural crops as well as by oil palm plantations and growers. Part of the original Dirty Dozen, paraquat is included in PAN International’s list of highly hazardous pesticides
• Paraquat has been marketed and used worldwide for the past 50 years. In developing countries thousands of agricultural workers and others have been poisoned every year as protective clothing and proper safety equipment is not deemed a priority, is un-affordable, not available or not practical for use given the country’s climate conditions. The corporations that manufacture and sell paraquat are well aware of these facts but blatantly continue unchecked to violate human rights and disregard environmental safety and sustainability standards, placing a priority on profits at the expense of human health and lives.

A Travesty of Human Rights Violations

• Paraquat is among the most widely used pesticide for weed control. Its adverse health effects are recognised, and industrialised countries that allow paraquat use all recommend stringent precautions. But these conditions cannot be guaranteed in developing countries. The leading manufacturer, Syngenta, now shares the market with other companies, and all target sales in Asia and Latin America, where public interest groups have called for a phase out because of health concerns. In December 2011, Syngenta along with other agrochemical transnational corporations were found guilty of gross human rights violations by a Session of the Permanent People's Tribunal.

2. Accumulative negative health impacts

• Syngenta sells the pesticide globally under the brand name Gramoxone. It is extensively used on bananas, cocoa, coffee, cotton, palm oil, pineapple, rubber, and sugar cane - in plantations and small-scale farms. Paraquat is highly acutely toxic, with no known antidote. Less than one teaspoon, if ingested, is fatal. Documented health effects of exposure to the chemical include Parkinsons’s disease, neurological disorders, endocrine disruption, and cancer.
• Acute Effects
• Immediate effects occur frequently among paraquat users and include
• Eye injury, nosebleed, irritation and burns of skin and nails;
• Nausea, vomiting or pains, and difficulty in breathing may develop with a delay of two to three days; and Death.
• Chronic Effects
• Over time, paraquat could affect the lungs, nerve system and brain, skin and reproduction. It could pose birth defects and impact children's brain growth. More recently, more studies have validated concerns over paraquat and an increased risk for developing Parkinson's Disease (PD).

3. Environmental Concerns

• Widespread environmental problems, springing from the rampant use of paraquat have resulted in contamination and pollution of local water supplies, fish losses, soil degradation, wildlife animals death, insect resistance and the degradation of flora and fauna. The use of paraquat has a negative impact in the ecological balance of both aquatic and agro-ecological systems.

4. Regulatory Status

• Liquid formulations containing at least 20% active ingredient have been recommended for inclusion in the Rotterdam Convention.
• During the Sixth Conference of Parties of the Rotterdam Convention, Guatemala, India, and Iran blocked the listing of severely hazardous formulations of paraquat, in particular Gramoxone or liquid formulations containing 276g/L or higher of paraquat dicloride.
• Paraquat is banned in at least 36 countries including Switzerland, Syngenta's home country, and restricted in other countries. Both Sri Lanka and China have imposed restrictions on certain formulations.

Paraquat, palm oil and the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)

• "Poisoned and Silenced" exposed the undue health hazards posed by paraquat on the mostly women sprayers in oil palm plantations. A 2010 community monitoring report revealed that hazardous pesticide practices continue. Furthermore, the Round-table on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) has dragged its feet on its commitment to phase out this human-killer.
• Unsustainable palm oil production and its subsequent use has alarming repercussions on our future. Read more as to what these problems are and act to preserve the tropical rain-forests ecosystems and the communities for whom these rain-forests are homeland.

Alternatives

• Non-chemical weed management alternatives such as inter cropping abound. Village Education & Health Research Organization Gujarat, India produced a field guide on "How to Grow Crops without Paraquat" in contribution to the campaign in Gujarat and these are being distributed.

Medicinal uses of Dates

 

Dates are an ideal food for improved energy and brain function. They are a good source of vitamin A & B-complex and they are rich in minerals such as iron, calcium, manganese, copper, and potassium. Dates are known to help build bone and muscle strength and have been used for thousands of years by athletes to improve physical endurance, agility, and stamina.

Dates contain anti-inflammatory and anti-infective properties which make it an excellent food for those who suffer with chronic infections and auto-immune disorders. They also help to control heart rate and blood pressure which offers protection against strokes and coronary heart diseases.

Dates contain an easily digestible fiber that has been found to help prevent colon, prostate, lung, endometrial, breast, and pancreatic cancers. They are also known to help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol, relieve constipation, improve anemia, and prevent macular degeneration. There are several varieties of dates including Medjool, Deglet Noor, Zahidi, Honey, Khadrawi, Halawi, and Barhi. Each variety is unique and varies in sweetness, flavor, and texture. For instance, Khadrawi dates are small, very soft, melt-in-your-mouth, and super sweet, while the Deglet Noor dates are firm and chewier with a more rich deep flavor.

Medjool dates are one of the most popular dates for there king size and delicious meaty flavor. Dates can be eaten out of hand as a quick snack and they also combine particularly well with celery sticks and cucumber slices as a balanced, high energy snack. They can be blended with a little water and turned into a caramel dipping sauce for apple slices that kids love! Dates are also delicious when added to smoothies and/or salads.

They can also be chopped with walnuts, coconut, ginger or other spices and pressed into homemade energy bars and deserts. Fresh dates can be found online or in the produce section of your local health food store. They can provide a wonderful energy boost and help revitalize the body any time of the day.

Medicinal Use of Star anise

• Star anise is a powerful culinary and medicinal spice that has been used for thousands of years and is rich in vitamin C, calcium and iron. It contains potent anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties and is particularly good for treating the flu. In fact, star anise contains a compound called shikimic acid which is used to make the common anti-viral drug Tamiflu. 
• Star anise is known to effectively remove mucus and congestion from the body due to its strong expectorant properties. It is also commonly used as a digestive aid and can help to relieve gas, constipation, cramping, bloating, heartburn, and indigestion. Star anise is highly beneficial in the treatment of asthma, bronchitis, rheumatism, back pain, shingles, herpes, halitosis, and sinus infections. It also has sedative properties and is helpful to take before bed to ensure a good night’s sleep. 
• Star anise is known to support the health of the female reproductive system and is often used by lactating mothers to increase the flow of breast milk. Star anise has a flavor similar to that of licorice and cloves and is often used as a flavor enhancer to both sweet and savory meals including smoothies, deserts, soups, and stews. Star anise tea is a wonderful and healing medicinal beverage that can significantly boost the immune system and help ward off any viral or bacterial infection.
• Star anise oil can be found in creams and lotions as is an excellent topical remedy for insect bites, eczema, psoriasis, acne, scabies, and lice. Star anise can be found in whole, powder, capsule, tea, extract, oil, and cream form online or at your local health food and grocery store.