Last verified: 17 days ago
Star Anise
Also known as: Illicium verum, Chinese star anise, star anise extract, SAE, anethole
Evidence under review. — Not yet rated
Traditional spice with early evidence for oral health and antioxidant effects. Human data is very limited.
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What it does
Star anise is a spice from the Illicium verum plant, used for centuries in Asian cooking and traditional medicine. One small clinical trial found a star anise mouthwash reduced gum inflammation,...
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Evidence quality
Evidence base hasn't been formally rated yet. See research below.
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Clinical dose
No established dose for humans based on provided studies
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Found in
What the Science Says
Star anise is a spice from the Illicium verum plant, used for centuries in Asian cooking and traditional medicine. One small clinical trial found a star anise mouthwash reduced gum inflammation, bleeding, and oral bacteria compared to placebo over 21 days. Its key compound, shikimic acid, showed liver-protective and antioxidant effects in animal studies, but these results have not been confirmed in humans.
What It Doesn't Do
No proven benefit for weight loss, immune boosting, or digestion in humans. Animal and fish studies don't translate directly to human health claims. No evidence it treats infections, fights cancer, or detoxifies the body in people. The insecticide and food-flavoring research has nothing to do with human health supplements.
Evidence-Based Benefits
A star anise mouthwash reduced gum inflammation, bleeding, and oral bacteria in a 21-day clinical trial.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: Mouthwash formulation used for 21 days (exact concentration not specified in study)
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Shikimic acid from star anise boosted antioxidant enzymes and reduced oxidative stress markers in animal studies.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: 50-100 mg/kg in rats (intraperitoneal); no human dose established
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Shikimic acid, a compound in star anise, reduced liver fibrosis markers in rats via Nrf2 and NF-κB pathways.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: 50-100 mg/kg in rats; no human equivalent established
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Absorption & Bioavailability
Unknown — no human pharmacokinetic data provided in the studies. Shikimic acid is the best-characterized compound but human absorption data is absent from the provided papers.
Red Flags to Watch For
- Heavy metal contamination: star anise spice samples have been found to contain lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd); chronic high consumption may pose health risks
- Pro-oxidant risk at high doses: in food studies, star anise at 4% concentration showed pro-oxidant tendencies, suggesting a dose-dependent risk
- Most supporting evidence comes from animal models (fish, rats) or lab studies — not human clinical trials
- Shikimic acid studies used intraperitoneal injection in rats, not oral supplementation — results may not apply to capsules or extracts
- Widely used in supplements (1000+ products in NIH DSLD) despite very limited human clinical evidence
Products Containing Star Anise
See how Star Anise is used in these analyzed products:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Star Anise do?
Traditional spice with early evidence for oral health and antioxidant effects. Human data is very limited.
What is the effective dose of Star Anise?
No established dose for humans based on provided studies
Is Star Anise safe?
Heavy metal contamination: star anise spice samples have been found to contain lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd); chronic high consumption may pose health risks
What doesn't Star Anise do?
No proven benefit for weight loss, immune boosting, or digestion in humans.
Research Sources
- PubMed
- NIH DSLD
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen. Last updated: 2026-05-25