Who Should Not Take Star Anise? A Guide to Precautions and Risks

December 26, 2025 •

4 min read

In 2003, the U.S. FDA issued a consumer warning about teas brewed from star anise due to reported serious side effects, often caused by contamination. This grave concern emphasizes the importance of understanding precisely who should not take star anise and the critical precautions necessary for safe use.

Quick Summary

Certain individuals, including infants and pregnant or breastfeeding women, should avoid star anise due to safety concerns. The primary danger involves accidental contamination with toxic Japanese star anise, which can cause severe neurological and gastrointestinal issues.

Key Points

Contamination is a major risk: The primary danger with star anise is accidental contamination with the toxic Japanese star anise, which can be visually identical.
Infants and children are highly vulnerable: Neurological issues like seizures and vomiting have been reported in infants and young children given star anise tea.
Avoidance during pregnancy and lactation is recommended: Due to insufficient safety data, pregnant and breastfeeding women are advised to avoid star anise, especially in concentrated tea forms.
Purchase from reputable sources: To mitigate the risk of contamination, always buy star anise from trusted suppliers who can guarantee purity.
Exercise caution with certain health conditions: Individuals with estrogen-sensitive conditions, liver disease, or certain allergies should consult a doctor before use.
Be aware of potential drug interactions: Star anise can interact with some medications, including blood thinners and hormone therapies.

The Critical Danger: Japanese Star Anise Contamination

The most significant risk associated with star anise consumption is not from the spice itself, but from its toxic relative, Japanese star anise (Illicium anisatum). This highly poisonous species contains the potent neurotoxin anisatin, which can cause severe symptoms, including seizures, nausea, and hallucinations, if ingested. The problem is that Japanese star anise looks nearly identical to the safe Chinese star anise (Illicium verum), making it extremely difficult to distinguish between them with the naked eye. Contamination of commercial star anise products, especially herbal teas, with the toxic Japanese variety has led to numerous hospitalizations and severe side effects.

How to Identify and Avoid Toxic Star Anise

Because visual identification is unreliable, safety hinges on source verification and conscious consumption. Here are some critical precautions:

Purchase from Reputable Sources: Always buy star anise from well-known and reputable suppliers who can guarantee the purity of their product.
Avoid Herbal Teas: Contaminated star anise is frequently found in herbal tea preparations. Unless you are certain of the source and purity, avoid star anise teas, especially for sensitive populations.
Check the Product: If using the whole spice, inspect the product for any broken pieces or discrepancies, though this is not a foolproof method.
Be Aware of Symptoms: Recognize the signs of toxicity, which can appear within a few hours of consumption, and seek immediate medical attention if they occur.

Who Is at High Risk and Should Avoid Star Anise?

Infants and Young Children

It is UNSAFE to give star anise, particularly in the form of tea, to infants and young children. There have been numerous reports of star anise toxicity in this age group, with infants suffering from irritability, vomiting, and seizures after consuming teas, typically for colic. These symptoms are often linked to contamination with Japanese star anise, but even pure Chinese star anise can cause neurological side effects in high doses. Healthcare providers universally recommend avoiding star anise for this vulnerable population.

Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women

There is a significant lack of reliable information concerning the safety of star anise for pregnant and breastfeeding women. As a result, it is best to err on the side of caution and avoid its use during these periods. Some sources suggest that anethole, a compound in star anise, can be transferred through breast milk and may be harmful to infants in large amounts. Avoidance of star anise tea is specifically recommended.

Individuals with Certain Health Conditions

Certain medical conditions can be negatively impacted by star anise's properties. Individuals with the following conditions should exercise caution or avoid the spice entirely:

Hormone-Sensitive Conditions: Star anise may have mild estrogen-like effects. Those with estrogen-sensitive conditions, such as breast, ovarian, and uterine cancers, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids, should avoid it.
Allergies: People with known allergies to other plants in the Apiaceae family, including fennel, dill, or celery, may have a cross-sensitivity and experience an allergic reaction to star anise.
Liver Disease: Star anise contains compounds that can be toxic to the liver in high doses. Those with liver disease or an increased risk should avoid or limit consumption under a healthcare provider's supervision.

Drug Interactions to Consider

Although some sources suggest star anise has no major drug interactions, others indicate potential issues, especially with different types of anise. Given the potential for contamination and variations in herbal supplements, a cautious approach is best. It is crucial to consult a healthcare provider before using star anise if you are taking any regular medications, particularly:

Blood Thinners: Star anise may potentially interact with blood-thinning medications.
Sedatives: The sedative properties in some star anise compounds could interact with sedating medications.
Hormone Therapy: Due to its potential estrogenic effects, star anise may interfere with hormone therapies or birth control pills.

Star Anise vs. Japanese Star Anise: A Comparison


Feature	Chinese Star Anise (Illicium verum)	Japanese Star Anise (Illicium anisatum)
Appearance	Typically has eight points and is a rich, reddish-brown color.	Can have more or fewer than eight points; often paler in color.
Aroma	Has a strong, sweet, licorice-like scent.	Possesses a milder, weaker, and often camphor-like or medicinal aroma.
Taste	Sweet and aromatic.	Bitter, acrid, and unpleasant.
Toxicity	Generally safe for culinary use in small amounts.	Highly toxic due to the neurotoxin anisatin.
Use	A culinary spice and traditional medicine ingredient.	Used primarily as incense in Japan; not for human consumption.
Risks	Minimal risk when pure; main danger is contamination with Japanese variety.	High risk of severe neurological and gastrointestinal poisoning.

Conclusion: Safe Use Hinges on Awareness

While pure Chinese star anise is generally considered safe for culinary use in moderate amounts, the risk of contamination with toxic Japanese star anise makes extra caution necessary, especially for susceptible individuals. Anyone considering star anise for medicinal purposes, including tea, should be highly vigilant about the source and purity. Infants, young children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers should avoid star anise altogether. Furthermore, individuals with hormone-sensitive conditions, liver issues, or allergies to similar plants, or those taking certain medications, should consult a doctor before use. Always prioritize purchasing from reputable sources to ensure the product is free from poisonous contaminants. Learn more about the risks on Healthline.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before using star anise for medicinal purposes, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are in a high-risk group.

Frequently Asked Questions

Japanese star anise (Illicium anisatum) is highly dangerous because it contains a potent neurotoxin called anisatin. Ingesting this toxin can cause severe neurological symptoms, including seizures, as well as significant gastrointestinal distress.

Distinguishing between the two varieties is extremely difficult based on appearance alone. Chinese star anise often has eight points and a sweet licorice aroma, while the Japanese version may have a different number of points and a milder, more camphor-like scent. However, since these differences are subtle and unreliable, a chemical analysis is often needed.

Symptoms of star anise poisoning, typically from the toxic Japanese variety, include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, seizures, irritability, and hallucinations. These effects can appear within hours of consumption.

No, it is unsafe to give infants star anise tea. Multiple case studies have reported infants experiencing seizures, vomiting, and other severe side effects, often due to contamination with the poisonous Japanese variety.

It is generally recommended to avoid star anise during pregnancy and breastfeeding due to a lack of reliable safety data. In concentrated forms, like tea, there is a risk of toxicity, and its compounds may transfer to breast milk.

Individuals with hormone-sensitive conditions like breast, ovarian, and uterine cancers, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids should avoid star anise. Its potential to mimic estrogen could exacerbate these conditions.

The most effective way to prevent contamination is to only purchase star anise from highly reputable suppliers. Be especially wary of herbal teas containing star anise, and consider avoiding them completely, particularly for at-risk individuals.