Star Anise (Herb/Suppl)

Brand and Other Names:aniseed stars, badiana, more...Chinese anise, Illicium verum

Suggested Dosing

No proven safe or effective standard dose

Typical Dosing Guideline

Tea

  • 1 cup PO qDay
  • 0.5-1 g ground seed boiled in 150 mL water for 120 min, strain

Ground

  • 3 g/day PO

Essential Oil

  • 300 mg/day PO

Inhaled

  • Products with 5-10% of essential oil have been inhaled
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Suggested Uses

Respiratory infections and inflammation, the flu (influenza), swine flu, avian flu, gastrointestinal upset, flatulence, loss of appetite, infant colic, cough, and bronchitis

Efficacy

More studies are needed to rate efficacy

Star Anise is used to make the active ingredient in oseltamivir (Tamiflu), but no proven antiviral activity of its own

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Adverse Effects

None major

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Warnings

Cautions

Do not confuse with the similar, but smaller poisonous Japanese star anise

May develop sensitivity after repeated use

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Pregnancy & Lactation

Pregnancy Category: N/A

Lactation: N/A

Pregnancy Categories

A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.

B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.

C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.

D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.

X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.

NA: Information not available.

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Pharmacology

Metabolism: N/A

Excretion: N/A

Mechanism of Action

Loosens phlegm, thereby relieving cough & bronchitis; also has antispasmodic effect on intestines

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Medscape prescription drug monographs are based on FDA-approved labeling information, unless otherwise noted, combined with additional data derived from primary medical literature.