What is Anise Tea Good For Weight Loss? Exploring the Real Benefits

November 20, 2025 •

4 min read

While some online sources market anise tea as a direct fat-burning miracle, a lack of robust human clinical evidence suggests its role in weight loss is primarily supportive, not transformative. Instead of directly burning fat, the benefits of anise tea for weight management come from other properties. This article explores exactly what is anise tea good for weight loss and its more indirect contributions to a healthier you.

Quick Summary

Anise tea offers indirect support for weight management through improved digestion, reduced bloating, and potential appetite control. It is not a magical fat-burner, but a helpful aid when combined with a balanced diet and exercise. Important safety precautions regarding Japanese star anise contamination must be noted.

Key Points

Indirect Benefits: Anise tea does not directly burn fat or boost metabolism but may aid weight loss indirectly through better digestion and appetite control.
Reduces Bloating: The carminative properties of anethole in anise help reduce gas and bloating, creating a sense of lightness and comfort.
Manages Cravings: Its sweet, licorice-like taste can help curb cravings for sugary foods, functioning as a low-calorie alternative to dessert.
Contamination Risk: A major safety concern is the high risk of contamination with toxic Japanese star anise, which can cause severe side effects like seizures.
Choose Reputable Sources: Always purchase star anise from a certified, reputable supplier to ensure purity and avoid dangerous contamination.
Limited Evidence: While animal studies show some anti-obesity effects of anise extracts, strong human evidence specifically for weight loss from drinking anise tea is lacking.
Supportive Role: Anise tea is best used as a supportive supplement within a healthy lifestyle, not as a primary strategy for shedding pounds.

The Indirect Benefits of Anise Tea for Weight Loss

Contrary to popular misconceptions, anise tea does not significantly increase metabolism or cause rapid fat burning. Its potential value in a weight-management plan lies in its indirect benefits that support overall digestive health and mindful eating. These are the main ways anise tea can contribute to your weight loss journey:

1. Improved Digestion and Reduced Bloating

One of the most well-documented benefits of anise and its tea is its effect on the digestive system. Anise seeds contain an essential oil called anethole, which has carminative properties. This means it can help relieve gas and reduce uncomfortable bloating, particularly after a heavy meal. This can create a flatter-looking stomach and reduce physical discomfort, which might encourage greater motivation for other healthy activities. The soothing effect can also ease indigestion and cramping, promoting smoother overall digestion.

2. Potential for Appetite Control and Cravings

Some people find that the naturally sweet, licorice-like flavor of anise tea can help curb cravings, especially for sugary snacks. A warm, flavorful cup of herbal tea can be a satisfying way to end a meal or to provide a calorie-free substitute for dessert. By promoting a feeling of fullness and satisfaction, anise tea can potentially lead to a reduction in overall calorie intake throughout the day.

3. Regulation of Blood Sugar Levels

Maintaining stable blood sugar levels is a crucial component of effective weight management, as uncontrolled spikes and crashes can lead to cravings and overeating. Preliminary animal studies suggest that compounds in star anise, such as anethole, may help regulate blood sugar levels by influencing insulin sensitivity. While more research is needed, this potential effect could play a supportive role in a healthy diet by minimizing cravings triggered by unstable glucose levels.

Star Anise vs. Common Anise: What's the Difference?

It's important to distinguish between star anise (Illicium verum) and common anise (Pimpinella anisum). While both have a similar licorice-like flavor due to the compound anethole, they are from different plants. The potential benefits and safety concerns apply primarily to star anise, which is the spice most commonly associated with these properties and risks. Common anise is typically considered safer, but the risk of Japanese star anise contamination remains relevant for all products labeled simply as 'anise' or 'star anise.'

The Crucial Safety Warning: Japanese Star Anise Contamination

A significant danger associated with star anise tea is the potential for contamination with Japanese star anise (Illicium anisatum). This species is highly toxic and looks almost identical to the Chinese star anise used in culinary and medicinal preparations.

Key risks of consuming Japanese star anise include:

Severe gastrointestinal issues like vomiting and abdominal pain.
Neurological problems, including seizures.
Harmful effects in infants and children.

Because of the difficulty in distinguishing between the safe and toxic varieties, sources like WebMD advise against consuming star anise tea altogether due to these serious risks. It is imperative to purchase star anise from a reputable, certified source or to opt for pre-packaged herbal tea bags from established brands that can guarantee the purity of their product.

How to Incorporate Anise Tea Safely into Your Diet

For those who choose to proceed cautiously, here is a guide to preparing anise tea safely and integrating it into a balanced routine:

Preparation Guide for Anise Tea

Source High-Quality Ingredients: Always buy whole, dried star anise pods from a certified, trusted vendor to minimize contamination risk. Avoid loose or unknown bulk products.
Use Moderation: A typical recommendation is to use one or two star anise pods for one cup of tea. Over-consumption, especially with unverified sources, increases risk.
Brew Correctly: Add your star anise pods to boiling water, then remove the mixture from the heat and let it steep for about 10-15 minutes. Over-boiling can increase the concentration of potentially harmful compounds.
Strain Thoroughly: Remove all solid material before drinking.
Complement, Don't Rely: Remember that anise tea is a supplement, not a replacement for a healthy diet and exercise. Use it as a mindful ritual, perhaps after a meal, rather than a primary weight loss strategy.

Comparison: Anise Tea vs. Other Herbal Teas for Weight Loss

When considering anise tea, it helps to compare it with other popular herbal teas that offer more scientifically-supported, direct weight loss benefits.


Feature	Anise Tea	Green Tea	Ginger Tea
Primary Weight Loss Claim	Indirect: Digestion, bloating, appetite control	Direct: Metabolism boost, fat oxidation	Indirect: Digestion, satiety, thermogenesis
Scientific Backing for Claim	Limited human evidence, mostly animal studies showing indirect effects	Stronger human evidence for metabolism-boosting properties	Some evidence for thermogenic and satiety effects
Primary Mechanism	Carminative effects, potential blood sugar regulation	Catechins (EGCG) enhance thermogenesis	Thermogenic properties, anti-inflammatory
Caffeine Content	Caffeine-free	Contains caffeine, varies by brew	Caffeine-free
Safety Concerns	High risk of contamination with toxic Japanese star anise	Generally safe, some can be sensitive to caffeine	Generally safe, can affect blood clotting in high doses

Conclusion: A Supportive Supplement, Not a Sole Solution

To summarize, anise tea is not a magic bullet for weight loss. The notion that it directly burns fat or drastically boosts metabolism is not supported by strong scientific evidence. Instead, its benefits for weight management are secondary, revolving around improved digestive comfort, reduced bloating, and a potential, mild effect on appetite and blood sugar stability. The biggest takeaway, however, should be the critical safety concern surrounding contamination with poisonous Japanese star anise. Anyone considering anise tea must be extremely cautious about its source. For those seeking more direct, evidence-based herbal support for weight loss, teas like green tea may be a better option due to their established effects on metabolism. Anise tea should be viewed as a flavorful, supportive ritual within a comprehensive and balanced diet and exercise regimen, and consumed only from the most reliable sources. For those curious about the anti-obesity effects found in rat models, further scientific research is ongoing and promising.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, anise tea does not have strong scientific evidence to support the claim that it directly burns fat. Any effects on weight are considered indirect, primarily related to digestion and appetite management.

Yes, anise tea is well-known for its carminative properties, which can help relieve gas and reduce feelings of bloating and discomfort after meals.

The most significant risk is contamination with toxic Japanese star anise, which is often mistakenly mixed with or sold as regular Chinese star anise. This can cause severe gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms, including seizures.

To ensure safety, purchase star anise products only from reputable, certified sources that can guarantee the purity of their product. Avoid using loose or unverified star anise.

Yes. While both contain similar compounds, most of the potential weight-related benefits and, more importantly, the serious contamination risks are associated with star anise (Illicium verum). Be aware of the risks regardless of which you use.

Green tea has more substantial scientific backing for its direct effects on boosting metabolism and fat oxidation due to its EGCG content. Anise tea's benefits are primarily indirect, focusing on digestion and appetite control, and carry a greater safety risk due to contamination possibilities.

For those who choose to consume it safely, a cup after a meal may help aid digestion and curb cravings. It should be consumed in moderation, with a general recommendation of no more than three cups per day, and should be part of a larger healthy diet and exercise plan.

Anecdotal evidence and some sources suggest that the sweet flavor of anise tea can help reduce food cravings and promote a sense of fullness, potentially assisting with appetite control.