No known drug interactions for the matched ingredients — not a guarantee none exist. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Star Anise Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by doTERRA

Liquid Category: Botanical
No known interaction
The interaction bottom line No known interaction

Star Anise is a dietary supplement by doTERRA with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for digestive upset and gas, cough and respiratory complaints, antimicrobial.We don’t currently list a known drug interaction for its mapped ingredients — but that doesn’t guarantee none exist, so always confirm with your pharmacist.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Star Anise by doTERRA

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

doTERRA Star Anise is a single-ingredient liquid product. Star anise is a spice derived from the fruit of an anise tree, commonly used in cooking and traditional preparations.

This product delivers it in concentrated form rather than as the small amounts you'd sprinkle into food.

Does it work?

Couldn't assess
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Not assessable

This is a single-ingredient Star Anise product and its label doesn't state a use — see Star Anise's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.

We hold no effectiveness ratings for star anise in our data, so we can't tell you what evidence supports its use or how strong that evidence is. If you're considering this product for a specific health goal, your pharmacist or doctor can help you figure out whether research backs that use.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Star Anise

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Star anise in the small amounts used in cooking is generally well tolerated. However, concentrated supplements and medicinal amounts raise safety concerns — the evidence just isn't there to support their use.

Star anise tea has been linked to serious neurological effects including seizures, rapid eye movements, jitteriness, and vomiting, though it's unclear whether contamination with a toxic look-alike species (Japanese star anise) played a role. Topically, the anethole compound in star anise can trigger skin irritation including redness, scaling, and blistering.

Pregnancy and lactation safety data is mixed — some sources rate it likely safe, others possibly unsafe — so talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you're pregnant or nursing.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Star Anise

Meds to double-check

No known interactions
Known Interaction Concern · database check
No known interactions

No medication interactions are currently documented for the matched ingredients — that isn't a guarantee none exist.

Why this rating?
  • None of the 1 matched ingredient has a documented medication interaction on file.

No interactions are documented in our data for the ingredient we could check. That doesn't mean none exist — it means we haven't found evidence of them.

Still, run your exact medications through the checker on this page or ask your pharmacist before you start.

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no assessable stated purpose. No medication interactions are currently documented, and safety information is well characterized.

Star anise from food is safe in everyday amounts. But this is a concentrated liquid product, and safety data for medicinal use is thin.

Contamination risk and reports of serious effects tied to star anise tea are worth taking seriously. Chat with your pharmacist about whether this product fits your needs and is right for you.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Jun 16, 2022.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Star Anise, straight from the product label.

Brand doTERRA
Net contents 5 mL; 0.16 fl. Oz.
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jun 16, 2022
DSLD ID 267707
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years)
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Star Anise by doTERRA, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
1 Drop(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Drop(s)
Servings per container
85
IngredientAmount% DV
Star Anise60 mg--

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

For aromatic and topical use. Diffuse aromatically or, to apply topically, dilute with a carrier oil to minimize skin sensitivity.

For internal use dilute one drop in 4 fl. oz. of liquid.

Precautions

Caution: Possible skin sensitivity.

Keep out of reach of children.

If pregnant or under a doctor's care, consult your physician.

Avoid contact with eyes, inner ears, and sensitive areas.

Formula

Illicium verum

FDA Statement of Identity

Essential Oil Supplement

Formulation

CPTG Certified Pure Tested Grade

General Statements

Peel back for more information.

See for yourself

Star Anise by doTERRA label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Star Anise by doTERRA

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Drop(s) Dosage formLiquid Servings per container85 Amounts shown are per serving.

Star Anise

No known
interactions
60 mg per serving Form: Star Anise, Star Anise, Star Anise

Star anise (Illicium verum) is a star-shaped spice widely used in cooking and traditional medicine, mostly for digestive and respiratory complaints. H...

Star Anise monograph & interactions
Interaction report

Star Anise by doTERRA Drug Interactions

We don’t currently list any known drug interactions for the mapped ingredients in Star Anise. This doesn’t guarantee none exist — always confirm with your pharmacist before combining a supplement with your medications.

The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Star Anise, from the product label.

doTERRA

See all doTERRA products
Name
doTERRA Intl, LLC
Street Address
389 South 1300 West
City
Pleasant Grove
State
UT
ZipCode
84062
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Star Anise by doTERRA: Common Questions

Does Star Anise by doTERRA interact with any medications?
We do not currently list a known interaction for the mapped ingredients in Star Anise. This does not guarantee none exist, so confirm with your pharmacist.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Star Anise contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Is star anise safe to take while I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
The safety data is mixed — some sources rate it likely safe, others possibly unsafe. You'll want to talk with your doctor or pharmacist about your personal situation before taking this product during pregnancy or while nursing.
What's the difference between this product and star anise I use in cooking?
This is a concentrated liquid form. Cooking amounts are generally well tolerated, but concentrated supplements and medicinal doses don't have solid safety data behind them. The risks are different too — concentrated forms carry contamination risk and have been linked to serious neurological effects.
Can star anise cause skin problems?
Yes. The anethole in star anise can trigger dermatitis (skin irritation) when applied topically, showing up as redness, scaling, and blistering.
I've heard star anise tea can cause seizures. Is that true?
Star anise tea has been reported to cause serious neurological effects including seizures, rapid eye movements, jitteriness, and vomiting. It's unclear whether these came from the anise itself or from contamination with a toxic look-alike species, but either way it's a real concern with concentrated forms like this one.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Not sure if Star Anise is safe with your meds?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist

Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Star Anise label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Star Anise’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Star Anise's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 10 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Star Anise 10 references
  1. 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
  2. Anon. FDA issue advisory on star anise "teas." FDA News P03-67; September 10, 2003.
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. Franks A. Contact allergy to anethole in toothpaste associated with loss of taste. Contact Dermatitis 1998;38:354-5. PubMed
  6. Rudzki E, Grzywa Z. Sensitizing and irritating properties of star anise oil. Contact Dermatitis 1976;2:305-8. PubMed
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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
  10. Donner J, Ruest S. Neonate with seizures after consuming star anise tea. R I Med J. 2021 Oct 1;104(8):8-10.

See these in context on the Star Anise monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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