Can I drink star anise tea every day?

October 31, 2025 •

4 min read

Star anise contains shikimic acid, a compound used to produce the antiviral drug Tamiflu. While this suggests potential benefits, the question, 'Can I drink star anise tea every day?', requires a cautious answer due to significant risks related to contamination and dosage.

Quick Summary

Pure Chinese star anise tea is generally considered safe in moderation and for short periods, but daily consumption is risky due to potential contamination with toxic Japanese star anise. Safe consumption depends heavily on sourcing a verified, pure product and avoiding large, concentrated doses, especially for vulnerable individuals.

Key Points

Toxicity Risk: A significant danger of star anise tea comes from potential contamination with highly toxic Japanese star anise, which looks identical but contains potent neurotoxins.
Moderate is Safer: While small amounts of pure Chinese star anise as a culinary spice are generally safe, consuming daily concentrated tea infusions increases the risk of side effects.
Source Reputably: To mitigate the risk of poisoning, it is critical to purchase star anise only from reputable suppliers who can guarantee the product's purity and origin.
Avoid If Vulnerable: Infants, children, pregnant, and breastfeeding women should completely avoid star anise tea due to potential toxicity and lack of safety data.
Possible Benefits: Star anise contains compounds with potential antiviral, antibacterial, and digestive benefits, but human research is limited.
Watch for Interactions: Regular consumption of star anise tea may interact with certain medications, including blood thinners and hormonal therapies.
Limit Frequency: For safe consumption, it is best to drink star anise tea occasionally rather than daily and to limit the dosage to 1-2 stars per cup.

The critical danger: Chinese vs. Japanese star anise

The most important factor when considering daily star anise tea is the risk of contamination with Japanese star anise ($$Illicium anisatum$$), a highly toxic species. While Chinese star anise ($$Illicium verum$$) is a culinary spice generally safe for most people in small amounts, the Japanese variety contains neurotoxins like anisatin. These two species look almost identical, making it nearly impossible for consumers to tell them apart. Cases of serious adverse effects, including seizures and gastrointestinal issues, have been linked to contaminated star anise tea. This is why purchasing from a reputable, verified supplier is paramount.

Potential health benefits of star anise tea

When sourced safely and consumed in moderation, star anise tea offers several potential health benefits rooted in its bioactive compounds, such as shikimic acid and anethole. However, most research is limited to test-tube and animal studies, so human benefits are not definitively proven.

Antiviral properties: Star anise is a primary source of shikimic acid, a key ingredient in the antiviral drug oseltamivir (Tamiflu). While this doesn't mean the tea itself is a cure for the flu, it has been used in traditional medicine for respiratory ailments.
Digestive aid: In traditional Chinese medicine, star anise tea is used to soothe digestive issues like bloating, gas, and indigestion. Its carminative properties may help relieve stomach discomfort.
Antifungal effects: Research has shown that compounds in star anise, particularly anethole, have potent antifungal properties and can inhibit the growth of certain fungi.
Antibacterial action: Some test-tube studies indicate star anise extract can inhibit the growth of bacteria, including some drug-resistant strains.
Antioxidant potential: Star anise is rich in powerful antioxidants like quercetin and linalool, which help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.

Risks and side effects of daily consumption

Even with pure Chinese star anise, daily tea consumption, especially in high doses, comes with its own set of risks. The main concern is not the occasional culinary use, but the concentrated and repetitive intake of tea infusions.

Potential side effects of excessive intake

Gastrointestinal distress: Consuming too much star anise tea can lead to nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps.
Neurological effects: High doses, even of the Chinese variety, can cause neurological symptoms. The neurotoxic effects are far more severe with Japanese star anise contamination.
Allergic reactions: Some individuals may experience an allergic reaction to star anise, especially if they have sensitivities to other spices or plants in the same family, such as fennel, celery, or dill.
Contact dermatitis: Direct skin contact with the essential oil or excessive tea consumption can cause skin irritation.

Vulnerable populations and contraindications

Infants and children: Star anise tea is not recommended for infants or young children. There have been several reports of neurotoxicity, including seizures, in babies who consumed star anise tea, often due to contamination.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women: Due to a lack of safety studies and potential estrogenic effects, pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid star anise tea.
Hormone-sensitive conditions: Individuals with hormone-sensitive conditions, such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer, or endometriosis, should be cautious due to the spice's potential estrogenic effects.
Medication interactions: Star anise can interact with certain medications, including blood thinners and hormonal therapies. Always consult a healthcare professional before regular use if you are on medication.

Comparison of Chinese and Japanese star anise


Feature	Chinese Star Anise ($$Illicium verum$$)	Japanese Star Anise ($$Illicium anisatum$$)
Toxicity	Generally non-toxic in culinary amounts; toxic in high doses	Highly toxic, containing potent neurotoxins
Use	Culinary spice, traditional medicine	Decorative purposes only; not for human consumption
Appearance	Looks identical to the untrained eye	Looks identical to the untrained eye
Active Compounds	Shikimic acid, trans-anethole, potentially toxic veranisatins in high doses	Neurotoxic anisatin compounds
Origin	China and Vietnam	Japan
Risks of contamination	High risk due to identical appearance, leading to severe poisoning cases	N/A (Should not be consumed)

Recommendations for safe consumption

If you choose to drink star anise tea, always prioritize safety and moderation:

Source responsibly: Purchase whole pods from a reputable spice company that guarantees the origin and purity of its product. Avoid buying loose or unlabeled star anise.
Use sparingly: A safe dose for infusions is typically 1 to 2 stars per cup. Excessive boiling or steeping can increase the concentration of compounds, including potentially toxic ones.
Limit frequency: Instead of daily consumption, consider drinking star anise tea on an occasional basis, perhaps up to 3 cups a day for a limited period, such as during cold and flu season.
Consult a professional: If you have any underlying health conditions, are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medication, speak with a doctor or registered dietitian before incorporating star anise tea into your routine.
Recognize symptoms: If you experience any nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or neurological symptoms after consuming star anise tea, seek immediate medical attention.

Conclusion: Exercise caution with daily star anise tea

While star anise offers some exciting potential health benefits, the answer to 'Can I drink star anise tea every day?' is a definitive 'no' unless you have a verified, pure source and consume it in strict moderation. The critical risk of contamination with its toxic counterpart, Japanese star anise, combined with potential side effects from excessive intake, makes daily consumption ill-advised for most people. Occasional use in small, diluted amounts from a trusted supplier is the safest approach. For chronic conditions or daily wellness, safer and better-researched alternatives are available.

For more information on spice safety and sourcing, you can refer to the FDA's guidance on herbal teas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Chinese star anise ($$Illicium verum$$) is a culinary spice generally safe for consumption in moderation. Japanese star anise ($$Illicium anisatum$$) is highly toxic and contains potent neurotoxins that can cause severe illness, but they are nearly identical in appearance.

In 2003, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advised against star anise teas due to reports of serious side effects, including seizures and vomiting, in infants and adults. These incidents were likely caused by contamination with toxic Japanese star anise.

Star anise contains shikimic acid, a compound used in the production of the antiviral drug Tamiflu. However, it is difficult to determine the concentration of this compound in a homemade tea, and it should not be used as the sole treatment for the flu.

Yes, although rare, some people may have an allergic reaction to star anise. This risk is higher for individuals with sensitivities to other plants in the Apiaceae family, such as fennel or celery.

No, it is possibly unsafe and not recommended. There have been reports of neurotoxicity and seizures in infants who were given star anise tea, often due to contamination with the toxic Japanese variety.

The safest way is to buy whole pods from a reputable spice company that guarantees its product's purity and origin. Avoid purchasing loose, unverified, or unlabeled star anise to prevent the risk of toxic contamination.

Yes, star anise can potentially interact with certain medications, including blood thinners and hormonal therapies. It is essential to consult a healthcare provider before using star anise tea regularly, especially if you are taking any medication.

Excessive consumption of even pure Chinese star anise can lead to adverse gastrointestinal effects like nausea and vomiting. In severe cases involving high doses or contamination, neurological issues like seizures can occur.