---
title: "Star Anise: Benefits, Uses & Side Effects | Herbadex"
description: "Star anise is traditionally used for cough and bronchitis; evidence is weak."
language: en
url: https://herbadex.com/en/herb/star-anise/
source: Herbadex (https://herbadex.com)
---

[Spice](https://herbadex.com/en/form/spice/)

# Star Anise

Illicium verum

T Traditional use

Star anise is traditionally used for cough and bronchitis; evidence is weak. Never give its tea to infants; it can be mixed up with toxic Japanese star anise.

[Respiratory, Throat & Mouth](https://herbadex.com/en/for/respiratory/)

 

![](/illustrations/baharat.svg)S Star Anise

Pregnancy **Unknown**

Breastfeeding **Caution**

Children **⚠ Avoid**

Drug interactions **No recorded interactions**

## At a glance

Star anise (Illicium verum) is a tree whose star-shaped dried fruit is used as a spice. Germany's Commission E accepted its use for cough and bronchitis; its benefits are poorly studied. Japanese star anise (I. anisatum), which looks almost identical, is toxic and has caused seizures in infants.

**Parts used:** fruit

**Key constituents:** Essential oil (trans-anethole), Shikimic acid, Estragole

Updated: October 24, 2026

Sources and research limitations appear below. The existence of a source does not mean every use has been clinically verified.

## What is it used for?

-   T Traditional use
    
    Germany's Commission E accepted star anise as a traditional use for cough and bronchitis. There are no clinical trials for this use and its benefits are not well defined. \[1\]
    

## How is it used?

### Food

Used as a culinary spice. Buy from a reliable source with Illicium verum on the label; there is no verified therapeutic dose.

\[2\] \[3\]

## Safety & interactions

-   Do not give star anise tea to infants or young children; seizures, extreme irritability and vomiting have been reported in infants who drank it.
-   Chinese star anise can be contaminated with neurotoxic Japanese star anise (Illicium anisatum); the US FDA has issued warnings. Buy from a reliable source.
-   While breastfeeding, avoid anything beyond occasional, moderate use; its anethole passes into breast milk.
-   Effects in pregnancy are unknown; do not exceed food amounts.
-   People allergic to anise, fennel, celery, carrot, birch or mugwort have a higher risk of allergy.
-   Ask your doctor before use if you have epilepsy, kidney or liver disease.

\[2\] \[1\] \[3\]

### Drug interactions

No recorded interactions

### Side effects

-   Nausea, vomiting and upset stomach
-   Skin or lip rash and blisters (rare)
-   Severe allergic reactions and seizures (rare; more likely in infants and at high doses)

#### ⚕ When to see a doctor

-   If high fever, shortness of breath or purulent/bloody phlegm develops
-   If symptoms do not improve within 1–2 weeks or worsen
-   If severe abdominal pain, jaundice, rash or allergic reaction occurs

## Frequently asked questions

Can I give star anise tea to my baby?

No. Seizures, irritability and vomiting have been reported in infants given star anise tea, and toxic Japanese star anise was found in products. Do not give it for colic; ask your doctor.

Is star anise good for cough?

Germany's Commission E accepted its traditional use for cough and bronchitis. No clinical trials confirm this.

Is star anise the same as anise?

No. Anise (Pimpinella anisum) is a seed from the carrot family, while star anise (Illicium verum) is the fruit of a tree. They taste similar because both contain anethole.

How can you tell Japanese star anise apart?

It is hard to tell by eye, as the two species look almost the same. Buy from a reliable source with Illicium verum on the label.

Does star anise help with gas?

It is used for gas and digestive complaints, but its benefit has not been well studied.

## Sources

Source type is not an efficacy rating. A monograph may document traditional use or safety. Claim numbers link to the relevant source; the access date does not indicate professional approval.

1.  [Star anise](https://e-lactancia.org/breastfeeding/star-anise/product/) e-lactancia (APILAM) · 2020 · Reference book Source accessed: October 24, 2026
2.  [Star Anise](https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-364/star-anise) WebMD · 2025 · Reference book Source accessed: October 24, 2026
3.  [Neurotoxicities in infants seen with the consumption of star anise tea](https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2004-0058) Pediatrics · 2004 · Observational study / case series Source accessed: October 24, 2026

### Cite This Page

Star Anise (Illicium verum). Herbadex — Doğal Şifa Rehberi (2026). https://herbadex.com/en/herb/star-anise/

## Related guides and comparisons

-   [Same Name, Different Plants](https://herbadex.com/en/guide/same-name-different-plants/)
-   [Buying and Storing Herbs Safely at Home](https://herbadex.com/en/guide/buying-and-storing-herbs-safely/)

## On this page

At a glance What is it used for? How is it used? Safety & interactions Frequently asked questions Sources Related herbs

## Related herbs

 

### [Peppermint Oil](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/peppermint-oil/)

A Strong clinical evidence

Mentha × piperita

Gastro-resistant peppermint oil capsules may ease IBS cramps, wind and pain; oil rubbed on the forehead may ease mild tension headache.

[Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Joints, Bones & Pain](https://herbadex.com/en/for/joints-pain/) +1

[Essential Oil](https://herbadex.com/en/form/essential-oil/)

 

### [Anise](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/anise/)

B Limited clinical evidence

Pimpinella anisum

Aniseed tea is traditionally used for mild digestive complaints such as bloating and wind, and for cough that comes with a cold.

[Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Respiratory, Throat & Mouth](https://herbadex.com/en/for/respiratory/)

[Seed](https://herbadex.com/en/form/seed/)

 

### [Black Elderberry Fruit](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/black-elderberry-fruit/)

B Limited clinical evidence

Sambucus nigra L.

Black elderberry is an anthocyanin-rich fruit studied for cold symptoms, but clinical evidence is limited. Raw or unripe berries should not be eaten.

[Respiratory, Throat & Mouth](https://herbadex.com/en/for/respiratory/)

[Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/)

### [Black Seed](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/black-seed/)

B Limited clinical evidence

Nigella sativa

A spice seed for which small studies saw modest falls in blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure. Kitchen amounts are safe.

[Metabolism, Weight & Blood Sugar](https://herbadex.com/en/for/metabolism/) [Heart & Circulation](https://herbadex.com/en/for/heart-circulation/) +1

[Seed](https://herbadex.com/en/form/seed/)

 

### [Black Seed Oil](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/black-seed-oil/)

B Limited clinical evidence

Nigella sativa

Oil pressed from black seed. Small studies saw modest falls in blood sugar and cholesterol and limited benefit in asthma.

[Metabolism, Weight & Blood Sugar](https://herbadex.com/en/for/metabolism/) [Respiratory, Throat & Mouth](https://herbadex.com/en/for/respiratory/)

[Carrier Oil](https://herbadex.com/en/form/carrier-oil/)

 

### [Common Mallow](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/common-mallow/)

B Limited clinical evidence

Malva sylvestris L.

Common mallow leaves and flowers are traditionally used for throat irritation and mild digestive discomfort; avoid medicinal use in pregnancy and under 12.

[Respiratory, Throat & Mouth](https://herbadex.com/en/for/respiratory/) [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) +1

[Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/)

## Other herbs in the same preparation form (Spice)

[Spice →](https://herbadex.com/en/form/spice/)

 

### [Garlic](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/garlic/)

B Limited clinical evidence

Allium sativum

Garlic powder is traditionally used to help prevent hardening of the arteries, and garlic extract to relieve symptoms of the common cold.

[Heart & Circulation](https://herbadex.com/en/for/heart-circulation/) [Immunity](https://herbadex.com/en/for/immunity/)

[Spice](https://herbadex.com/en/form/spice/)

 

### [Ginger](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/ginger/)

B Limited clinical evidence

Zingiber officinale

Powdered ginger root taken before travel may help prevent motion-sickness nausea; it is also traditionally used for mild indigestion.

[Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Joints, Bones & Pain](https://herbadex.com/en/for/joints-pain/) +1

[Spice](https://herbadex.com/en/form/spice/)

 

### [Saffron](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/saffron/)

B Limited clinical evidence

Crocus sativus

The world's most expensive spice. In meta-analyses, saffron supplements lowered self-reported depression scores; clinician ratings did not change.

[Sleep, Stress & Mood](https://herbadex.com/en/for/sleep-stress/) [Women’s Health](https://herbadex.com/en/for/womens-health/)

[Spice](https://herbadex.com/en/form/spice/)

 

### [Turmeric](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/turmeric/)

B Limited clinical evidence

Curcuma longa

Turmeric root is traditionally used for digestive complaints such as fullness, slow digestion and wind; it is not advised with gallbladder disease.

[Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Joints, Bones & Pain](https://herbadex.com/en/for/joints-pain/)

[Spice](https://herbadex.com/en/form/spice/)

This page is for information only and is not medical advice. If you take medication, are pregnant, or have a health condition, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before use.