Star anise: Flavor, Cooking Use and Health Facts
Star anise tastes of licorice, warm and slightly sweet, and flavors soups, braises and baking; it must never be given to babies as tea, and one toxic look-alike has contaminated supplies.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
In the kitchen at a glance
Flavor:Licorice / aniseSweetWarm / woody
Aroma: Strong licorice scent, warm and a little sweet, like anise with a touch of clove.
Used in: soups and stews, curries, baking, tea and drinks
Usual amount in food: Use sparingly: the sources we read give one to three whole pods for a large pot, or a pinch of ground; USDA SR Legacy has no entry for star anise.
What it is
Star anise is the dried, star-shaped fruit of Illicium verum, a medium evergreen tree from southern China and northeast Vietnam. [1] The fruit is picked just before it ripens. China is the main producer, followed by Vietnam and other parts of Southeast Asia. [1] It is not related to anise (Pimpinella anisum), though both taste similar. [1] Do not confuse it with Japanese star anise (Illicium anisatum), which is toxic and not food. [1][5]Flavor and aroma
Star anise tastes like licorice: warm, a little sweet and slightly bitter. [2][3] It also reminds some cooks of clove, allspice and cinnamon. [3] The licorice note comes from anethole, a compound it shares with anise. [1] The flavor gets stronger as it cooks. [3] The smell of fresh pods is strong and licorice-like right away. [2] Too much makes a dish taste bitter or medicinal. [2][3]It pairs well with rich meats such as duck, goose, pork belly and lamb, with fruit such as pear, plum and fig, and with cinnamon, clove and nutmeg. [2][3]
How it is used in cooking
Whole pods go into slow-cooked soups, stews, curries and braises, usually early. They are fished out before serving because they are hard to bite. [2][3] Ground star anise is added later, or stirred into batters, sauces and stir-fries. Grinding whole pods just before use gives the strongest flavor. [3]- China and Vietnam: a core part of five-spice powder, red-braised meats, marbled tea eggs, and noodle soups such as pho. [1][2][3]
- India and nearby: in some regions it goes into biryani, masala chai and garam masala. [1][3]
- Baking and desserts: gingerbread, spiced cakes, cookies, pumpkin pie and fruit desserts such as poached pear. [3]
- Drinks: mulled wine (French vin chaud), spiced cider, tea, and the liqueurs Galliano, sambuca and pastis. [1][3]
- Substitutes: Chinese five-spice powder (about half a teaspoon per pod), fennel seed or aniseed (milder, so use more), or clove and allspice if you want the warmth without the licorice. [2][3] A swap changes the dish.
Normal food amounts
USDA SR Legacy has no entry for star anise, so we give no gram weights or nutrient numbers. Weights per pod vary, and we found no source that gives one.| Measure | Grams | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1 teaspoon | Not available | USDA SR Legacy has no entry |
| 1 tablespoon | Not available | USDA SR Legacy has no entry |
| Typical recipe amount | Two to three whole pods for a large pot of pho or red braise; a pinch of ground for a stir-fry | Cooking guides [3]; one guide gives no pod count [2] |
Nutrients per teaspoon: not available. Because the amounts used are so small, a dish gets flavor from it, not meaningful nutrition. That is our reading, not a measured figure.
Buying, storing and preparing
- Forms: whole pods, broken pods and ground powder. Asian grocers are the most likely place to find whole pods. [2]
- Quality: fresh pods smell strongly of licorice as soon as you handle them. A faint smell means it is old. [2]
- Broken or ground: harder to check for mix-ups with the toxic Japanese species, because the fruits look much alike, especially when broken or ground. Chemical analysis is usually needed to tell. [6] Buy from a trusted seller, and do not pick or identify star anise yourself. [4][6]
- Shelf life: the cooking guides we read give about 2 to 3 years for whole pods and about 1 year for ground. [2][3]
- Storing: airtight, cool, dry and away from light. [2][3]
Health: what research says
Using star anise as a spice in food is very different from drinking its tea or using concentrated products.Food amounts vs supplements
| In normal cooking | In supplements and extracts | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical amount | A few pods per pot or a pinch of ground [3] | No official amount found |
| What studies mostly used | We found no study of star anise as a cooking spice | A mouthwash in one trial; lab and animal studies of extracts and compounds [8][7] |
| What we can say about benefit | Nothing from research on food amounts | One small mouthwash trial; the rest is lab or animal work [8][7] |
| Main safety limit | Contamination with Japanese star anise [5][6] | Tea has caused harm in infants [5][6] |
What the evidence shows
| Use | What the sources found | Strength of evidence | Form and population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gum inflammation and mouth bacteria | A double-blind crossover trial in 50 people compared a star anise mouthwash with placebo for 21 days each. The authors reported better gum, bleeding and bacterial-count measures. [8] | Promising but limited | Mouthwash, adults [8] |
| Influenza | Star anise is the main source of shikimic acid, a raw material for an antiviral flu medicine. [1][7] The spice or tea itself was not shown to treat flu in the sources we read. | Insufficient evidence | Spice and tea |
| Infant colic | FDA knew of no scientific evidence that star anise tea helps colic. [4] Tea has been linked to harm in infants. [5][6] | No good evidence of benefit | Tea, infants |
| Antimicrobial, antioxidant, pain-relief and sedative effects | A 2011 review describes activity in laboratory and animal studies. [7] | Lab or animal only | Extracts and compounds |
For supplement forms, trials and interactions in depth, see the full herb guide: Star anise.
Official statements
- FDA (US), 2003: treats common Chinese star anise as generally recognized as safe (GRAS), but advised people not to drink star anise teas or give them to infants and children, because of possible mixing with Japanese star anise. About 40 people, including about 15 infants, had become ill; all recovered. [4]
- EMA, EFSA, WHO/JECFA, NCCIH: we could not open a statement from these on star anise.
Related pages
Health connections for Star anise
What research links to this spice, and how strong the evidence is. Most studies use concentrated extracts or doses far above what you eat; each card says which.
Gum inflammation and mouth bacteria (mouthwash)
Preliminary or mixedOne small double-blind crossover trial of 50 people reported better gum, bleeding and microbial-count measures with a star anise mouthwash than with placebo.
Supplements: Mouthwash finding only; one small trial; not shown for food amounts.
Source of shikimic acid for an antiviral flu medicine
Not enough evidenceStar anise is the major source of shikimic acid, a raw material for an antiviral flu medicine. The spice or tea itself was not shown to treat flu in the sources read.
Supplements: No evidence that the spice, tea or extract prevents or treats flu.
Infant colic (traditional tea use)
Not enough evidenceStar anise tea is used in many cultures for infant colic. FDA knew of no scientific evidence that it helps, and it has been linked to harm in infants.
Supplements: No good evidence of benefit; see the infant tea risk.
Antimicrobial, antioxidant, pain-relief and sedative effects
Lab or animal research onlyA 2011 review describes these effects in laboratory and animal studies of extracts and compounds.
Supplements: Not shown in people; extracts and compounds, not food amounts.
Connected topics
Open a group to see how each topic connects and how strong the evidence is.
Body systems (1)
- Nervous SystemDocumented risk
Star anise tea has caused seizures and other nerve effects in infants, partly through toxic Japanese star anise mixed into supplies.
Body parts (1)
- Nervous SystemDocumented risk
Infant nerve reactions (seizures, spasms) were reported after star anise tea; anisatin from the Japanese species acts on brain signalling.
Functional actions (2)
- Anti-InflammatoryPreliminary or mixed
One small mouthwash trial reported better gum-inflammation measures; it is not shown for food.
- AntioxidantLab or animal research only
Antioxidant activity is described in laboratory and animal studies only.
Conditions & symptoms (4)
- Infantile ColicDocumented risk
Star anise tea is used traditionally for infant colic. FDA knew of no evidence it helps, and it has caused harm in infants.
- SeizuresDocumented risk
Seizures were reported in infants after star anise tea, linked to Japanese star anise contamination.
- AnaphylaxisDocumented risk
One case report links star anise sensitization to anaphylaxis after a flu medicine.
- GingivitisPreliminary or mixed
One small crossover trial of a star anise mouthwash reported better gum-inflammation measures; it is not shown for food.
Documented risks and interactions (4)
- Infant tea: seizures and other nerve effects. A Pediatrics report described 7 infants with nerve reactions after home-given star anise tea; the authors said the tea should no longer be given to infants. FDA advised against star anise teas for infants and children in 2003.
- Contamination with toxic Japanese star anise. Japanese star anise (Illicium anisatum) has nerve toxins (anisatin and related compounds) and has been found mixed into Chinese star anise. The fruits look alike, especially broken or ground, so chemical tests are usually needed.
- Overdose of Chinese star anise. Swiss authors warn that harm can come from overdose of Chinese star anise or from contamination of teas; one fruit sample held 7,800 micrograms of anisatin per kilogram against a Swiss tolerance value of 1,000.
- Allergy: anaphylaxis after flu medicine in a sensitized patient. A case report links sensitization to star anise, with celery-carrot-mugwort-spice syndrome, to anaphylaxis after oseltamivir.
Frequently asked questions
Does star anise taste sweet?
It tastes of licorice: warm, a little sweet and slightly bitter. [2][3] Too much turns bitter.
How much is normal?
The cooking guides we read suggest two to three pods for a large pot, or a pinch of ground. [3] USDA lists no gram weight for it.
Is it safe in pregnancy?
The sources we read do not describe pregnancy safety. Cooking amounts are small; ask your midwife or doctor about teas.
Can I take it with medicines?
The sources we read name no medicine interactions. Ask a pharmacist if you plan to take teas or extracts.
Can I give star anise tea to a baby with colic?
No. Infants have had seizures and other nerve problems after it. [5][4] Ask a pediatrician about colic.
Is star anise the same as Japanese star anise?
No. They are different species, and the Japanese one is toxic. [1][5] Buy from a trusted seller.
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
Safety note at a glance
Safety in more detail
- Medicines: the sources we read do not describe medicine interactions.
- Pregnancy: the sources we read do not describe pregnancy safety. Ask your midwife or doctor about tea or extracts.
- Breastfeeding: the sources we read do not describe this.
- Children: do not give star anise tea to infants. A Pediatrics report described 7 infants with nerve reactions after home-given tea and said it should no longer be given to babies. [5] FDA said not to give star anise teas to infants and children. [4] A 2-month-old in a Swiss case had episodes of blue skin and limb spasms after bottles made with 4 to 5 fruits each. [6]
- Allergy: a case report links sensitization to star anise, with celery-carrot-mugwort-spice syndrome (an allergy pattern), to anaphylaxis after a flu medicine. We read the title only. [9]
- Liver and kidney: the sources we read do not describe liver or kidney problems.
- Surgery: the sources we read do not describe a surgery warning.
- Quality and contamination: Japanese star anise carries nerve toxins (anisatin and related compounds). [6] FDA said the dried fruits could not be told apart by eye alone. [4] Reviews state that Chinese star anise is sometimes contaminated with it. [5][7]
- Amounts that cause trouble: the Swiss authors say harm can come from overdose of Chinese star anise or from contamination of teas. [6] One fruit sample held 7,800 micrograms of anisatin per kilogram, against a Swiss tolerance value of 1,000. [6] We found no amount for cooking.
References
- Wikipedia — Illicium verum. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illicium_verum (accessed 2026-10-24)
- The Woks of Life — Star Anise: Everything You Need to Know. https://thewoksoflife.com/star-anise/ (accessed 2026-10-24)
- Tilda — A Guide to Star Anise. https://www.tilda.com/blog/ingredient-guide/a-guide-to-star-anise/ (accessed 2026-10-24)
- FDA (US) — Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition 2003 (star anise tea advisory, 10 September 2003). https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/enforcement-story-archive/center-food-safety-and-applied-nutrition-2003 (accessed 2026-10-24)
- Ize-Ludlow D et al. — Neurotoxicities in infants seen with the consumption of star anise tea. Pediatrics 2004; abstract read via Europe PMC. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15492355/ (accessed 2026-10-24)
- Perret C et al. — Apparent life-threatening event in infants: think about star anise intoxication. Arch Pediatr 2011; abstract read via Europe PMC. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21652187/ (accessed 2026-10-24)
- Wang GW et al. — Illicium verum: a review on its botany, traditional use, chemistry and pharmacology. J Ethnopharmacol 2011; abstract read via Europe PMC. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21549817/ (accessed 2026-10-24)
- Assiry AA et al. — Crossover analysis of the astringent, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects of Illicium verum/star anise in the oral cavity. Biomed Res Int 2021; abstract read via Europe PMC. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34195261/ (accessed 2026-10-24)
- Hirschfeld S et al. — Anaphylaxis after oseltamivir (Tamiflu) therapy in a patient with sensitization to star anise and celery-carrot-mugwort-spice syndrome. Allergy 2008; title only (no abstract available via Europe PMC). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18186817/ (accessed 2026-10-24)