Limited evidenceImmunity

Star Anise

The spice is the industrial source of shikimic acid, the starting material for oseltamivir, but taking star anise does not produce an antiviral drug in your body. There are no clinical trials of it for influenza.

Evidence last reviewed: August 2026

What the science says

Influenza prevention or treatment Limited evidence
A pharmacology review confirms Illicium verum is rich in shikimic acid but notes that shikimic acid must be chemically converted through several steps to become oseltamivir. No clinical trial has tested star anise for flu.
Serious toxicity in infants Limited evidence
A case series in Pediatrics and subsequent emergency-medicine case reports describe seizures and neurological events in infants given star anise tea, usually traced to contamination with the toxic Japanese star anise.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseNo therapeutic dose is established. Culinary use of Chinese star anise, a pod or two in cooking, is the only use with a track record.

SafetyNever give star anise tea to infants: adulteration with Japanese star anise (Illicium anisatum) has caused seizures and serious neurological events. Adults tolerate culinary amounts, but concentrated teas and extracts are unpredictable because species adulteration is common.

Scientific references

Star anise (Illicium verum): Chemical compounds, antiviral properties, and clinical relevance
Patra JK, Das G, Bose S — Phytother Res, 2020
Neurotoxicities in infants seen with the consumption of star anise tea
Ize-Ludlow D, Ragone S, Bruck IS — Pediatrics, 2004
A case of infantile star anise toxicity
Madden GR, Schmitz KH, Fullerton K — Pediatr Emerg Care, 2012

Where to buy

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