Star Anise + Insulin (rDNA)
Insulin (rDNA) brand names: Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humulin R, Humulin N, Humulin L, and others.
We found no known interaction between Star Anise and Insulin (rDNA) in our sources. Absence of a documented interaction is not the same as proven safety, and does not guarantee one does not exist. Do not start, stop, or change a medication or supplement based on this page; confirm with your pharmacist or doctor first. Additionally, although there is no interaction, the label for Insulin (rDNA) states a food rule worth keeping to, and the two are separately associated with some of the same side effects, which would make a new symptom harder to attribute to one or the other.
Star Anise and Insulin (rDNA)
We checked these two against our interaction database. Here is what we found.
No Known Interaction Found
We did not find a documented interaction between Insulin (rDNA) and Star Anise in our sources. This does not guarantee that the combination is completely free of risk — there is often limited research on supplements and herbal products, especially around drug interactions.
Worth understanding: our licensed dataset holds no drug-interaction record for Star Anise at all — not against Insulin (rDNA), and not against any other medication we track. This verdict therefore rests on the absence of any recorded data, not on research that looked at this combination and found nothing. We cannot rule an interaction out.
If you decide to take both, the practical routine is simple: add one new thing at a time and note the date you started it. If the combination is going to disagree with you, it usually shows in the first days to a couple of weeks — and a start date turns “I’ve been feeling off” into something a pharmacist can actually work with. Do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own.
Always talk with your pharmacist or doctor before making changes to your medications or supplements, particularly if you take several medications or have an ongoing health condition.
Star Anise safety at a glance
Pregnancy & breastfeeding ratings are from Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — the full detail is in the Special populations card below. Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.
Star Anise in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
When used orally in amounts commonly found in foods.
When star anise is used orally as a tea. In 2003, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an advisory to the public not to consume teas brewed from star anise, as they have been associated with adverse neurological and gastrointestinal effects.
DISCLAIMER: This tool is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Patients should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.© 2026 Therapeutic Research Center
Some Insulin (rDNA) Products Have a Food Rule — Star Anise Should Not Break It
At least one FDA label for a product containing Insulin (rDNA) says to take it with food. If you take Star Anise on an empty stomach out of habit, keep them separate — and take Insulin (rDNA) with a meal where the label says to.
This may not be true of your version. Food instructions belong to the product, not the ingredient: two Insulin (rDNA) products can carry different directions, and extended-release forms often differ from immediate-release ones. The label we read is quoted below — check the directions on your own box or bottle, or ask your pharmacist, for how to take the exact product you were given.
( 2.1 , 2.2 , 2.3 , 2.4 ) Subcutaneous injection ( 2.2 ): Administer HUMALOG ® U-100 or U-200 by subcutaneous injection into the abdominal wall, thigh, upper arm, or buttocks within 15 minutes before a meal or immediately after a meal.
From the Dosage and Administration section of the FDA label we read for Insulin (rDNA) — where that label names a specific product, the instruction is that product's. Read the label on DailyMed ›
A food rule is not an interaction — it is about how much of the medicine you absorb. The directions that came with your own product, and your pharmacist, outrank anything on this page.
See Every Supplement That Interacts With Insulin (rDNA)
This page covers Star Anise only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Insulin (rDNA) page lists 242 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.
The most serious there right now: Chelation Therapy Products (major), Siberian Cocklebur (major), Acai (moderate), African Wild Potato (moderate) and Agaricus Mushroom (moderate).
By severity: 2 major · 211 moderate · 29 minor.
From our pharmacist’s overview on the Insulin (rDNA) page
“A weed called Siberian cocklebur has caused severe low blood sugar in humans and is the one ingredient to avoid outright while using insulin (rDNA) products like Humalog or Humulin. This list deserves real respect.”
Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026
Taking Star Anise as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions
We hold 126 real supplement products containing Star Anise, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Star Anise. Even though Star Anise itself has no known interaction with Insulin (rDNA), another ingredient on your label might. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:
Where Star Anise and Insulin (rDNA) Sit Against Everything Else
Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.
#963 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days
#654 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days
Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.
Where does our data come from?
- Source: the Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) clinical database — the evidence-graded professional reference for herb & supplement interactions.
- Citation library: 103,510 references behind our interaction content, 65,311 of them resolved to verified PubMed/DOI sources. See every Star Anise reference on this page ↓
- Freshness: we automatically re-check this combination every week — this pair was last verified September 20, 2026. The Star Anise and Insulin (rDNA) records this page draws on were last updated July 10, 2026.
- What “no known interaction” means: no documented interaction in the sources above — not a guarantee of safety. Supplements are studied far less than prescription drugs, so we say exactly what the evidence supports, and nothing more.
About Star Anise
What is Star Anise?
- Digestive upset and gas
- Cough and respiratory complaints
- Antimicrobial
- Flavoring food and drinks
- Source of shikimic acid for medicine manufacturing
Star anise (Illicium verum) is a star-shaped spice widely used in cooking and traditional medicine, mostly for digestive and respiratory complaints. Human evidence for health benefits is limited, and its main proven importance is as an industrial source of shikimic acid used to make antiviral medicine. Use the culinary Chinese star anise cautiously, avoid the toxic Japanese star anise look-alike, and check with your pharmacist before using supplements.
Illicium verum · Schisandraceae · Dried ripe fruit (the star-shaped seed pods) and essential oil · Whole or ground spice, tea, capsules, extracts, and essential oil
An interaction check asks whether these two react with each other — it does not ask whether Star Anise is a good idea for someone in your situation. Here is what our Star Anise record says about it on its own.
Star Anise: dosing
There is no well-established standard medicinal dose for star anise. It is most commonly used as a culinary spice or as a mild tea made from the whole star.If you use a supplement, capsule, or extract, follow the directions on the product label and do not exceed them.
From our Star Anise monograph — the full record covers uses, side effects and every documented interaction.
About Insulin Lispro Injection
What Is Insulin Lispro Injection Used For?
Brand names: Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humulin R, Humulin N, Humulin L, Humulin 50/50, Humulin 70/30, Humulin U, NovoLog, Velosulin, Novolog Mix 70/30, Actrapid, Humulin S, Insuman Rapid
Insulin lispro injection is used to improve glycemic control (blood sugar management) in people with diabetes mellitus. It is a rapid-acting insulin analog approved for use in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Admelog is specifically indicated to improve glycemic control in patients with diabetes mellitus. Humalog Mix75/25 is indicated to improve glycemic control in adults with diabetes mellitus; it is a fixed-ratio mixture of insulin lispro and insulin lispro protamine, and its fixed proportions do not allow for separate adjustment of basal (background) and prandial (mealtime) doses.
Other Drugs & Star Anise
Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Star Anise — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.
No drugs match “”.
No interaction 2,829 drugs checked — show the list
We also checked Star Anise against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.
- Apixaban ›
- Levothyroxine ›
- Amlodipine ›
- Methylphenidate ›
- Warfarin ›
- Sertraline ›
- Testosterone ›
- Ivermectin ›
- Losartan Potassium ›
- Aspirin ›
- Abemaciclib ›
- Acetaminophen ›
- Metoprolol ›
- Rosuvastatin ›
- Rivaroxaban ›
- Escitalopram ›
- Clopidogrel ›
- Atorvastatin ›
- Docusate ›
- Tadalafil ›
- Tirzepatide ›
- Methamphetamine ›
- Ibuprofen ›
- Warfarin Sodium ›
- Valacyclovir ›
- Hydroxyurea ›
- Sumatriptan ›
- Semaglutide ›
- Prednisone ›
- Propranolol ›
- Lisdexamfetamine ›
- Amitriptyline ›
- Metformin ›
- Amoxicillin ›
- Lisinopril ›
- Isotretinoin ›
- Amlodipine Besylate ›
- Methotrexate ›
- Bendamustine ›
- Bupropion ›
- Amphetamine ›
- Doxycycline ›
- Fluoxetine ›
- Azithromycin ›
- Acyclovir ›
- Pregabalin ›
- Lamotrigine ›
- Dextroamphetamine ›
- Gabapentin ›
- Acetaminophen, Codeine ›
- Levothyroxine, Liothyronine ›
- Clonazepam ›
- Quetiapine ›
- Naproxen ›
- Omeprazole ›
- Letrozole ›
- Duloxetine ›
- Methylene Blue ›
- Buspirone ›
- Citalopram ›
Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,829 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Star Anise list.
Star Anise References
The 10 references that drive our Star Anise monograph and interaction data, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Citations with a link open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182
- Anon. FDA issue advisory on star anise "teas." FDA News P03-67; September 10, 2003.
- Ize-Ludlow D, Ragone S, Bernstein JN, et al. Chemical composition of Chinese star anise (Illicium verum) and neurotoxicity in infants. JAMA 2004;291:562-3. PubMed
- Ize-Ludlow D, Ragone S, Bruck IS, et al. Neurotoxicities in infants seen with the consumption of star anise tea. Pediatrics 2004;114:e653-6. PubMed
- Franks A. Contact allergy to anethole in toothpaste associated with loss of taste. Contact Dermatitis 1998;38:354-5. PubMed
- Rudzki E, Grzywa Z. Sensitizing and irritating properties of star anise oil. Contact Dermatitis 1976;2:305-8. PubMed
- Garzo, Fernandez C., Gomez, Pintado P., Barrasa, Blanco A., Martinez, Arrieta R., Ramirez, Fernandez R., and Ramon, Rosa F. [Cases of neurological symptoms associated with star anise consumption used as a carminative]. An.Esp.Pediatr. 2002;57(4):290-294.
- Minodier, P., Pommier, P., Moulene, E., Retornaz, K., Prost, N., and Deharo, L. [Star anise poisoning in infants]. Arch Pediatr. 2003;10(7):619-621.
- Casanova Cuenca M, Calzado Agrasot MÁ, Mir Pegueroles C, Esteban Cantó V. New cases of star anise poisoning: Are we providing enough information? Neurologia. 2019;34(3):211-213. DOI
- Donner J, Ruest S. Neonate with seizures after consuming star anise tea. R I Med J. 2021 Oct 1;104(8):8-10.
Medication overviews come from MedlinePlus (NIH); supplement label data from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.
Insulin (rDNA) Is Linked to Lower Levels of 2 Nutrients
Natural Medicines records Insulin (rDNA) as a medicine that can lower these. This is not an interaction with Star Anise — it is a separate effect of the medicine, and it is a reason some people are advised to supplement rather than to avoid one:
Read the full Insulin (rDNA) nutrient depletion report ›
Depletion records come from the licensed Natural Medicines database. Do not start a supplement on the strength of this page — ask your pharmacist or doctor whether it applies to you.
Taking Star Anise and Insulin (rDNA) Together: Common Questions
Is it safe to take Star Anise with Insulin (rDNA)?
Do Star Anise and Insulin (rDNA) have any of the same side effects?
Should I take Star Anise and Insulin (rDNA) at the same time of day?
Does Insulin (rDNA) interact with any supplements?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
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This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.