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

Star Anise label
See full label image
Liquid Category: Botanical
No known interaction
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 30, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Star Anise against your medications. The heart of this page is the interaction checker and the full interaction report — how this product’s ingredients may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines you may be taking.

Around that, we add a pharmacist’s high-level view of the product as a whole — what’s inside, the evidence for its stated use, how transparent the label is, and what safety data exists — so you can see the full picture in one place. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases and the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist — not medical advice — and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

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.

Jump to a section

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

Generated from HelloPharmacist’s pharmacist-curated databases and editorial rules · Last generated Sep 17, 2026

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.

This product contains one active ingredient: star anise, a dried fruit from an evergreen tree native to southwest China and Vietnam. Star anise has been used traditionally as a culinary spice and herbal remedy, though the supplement form here is more concentrated than what you'd use in cooking.

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.

The facts we hold do not include effectiveness ratings for star anise, so we cannot tell you whether this product is shown to work for any particular purpose.

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.

Here's the straight truth: food amounts of star anise are generally well tolerated. But this is a concentrated supplement, and the data we hold advises against medicinal or concentrated forms due to lack of safety evidence.

Star anise tea in particular has been linked to serious neurological effects — including seizures, rapid eye movements, jitteriness, and vomiting — though it's unclear whether those came from the star anise itself or from contamination with a toxic look-alike species (Japanese star anise). Orally, concentrated star anise has also been reported to cause vomiting, diarrhea, and belly distension.

Topically, one of its compounds can trigger skin irritation. For pregnancy and breastfeeding, the data is mixed: one source rates it likely safe, another rates it possibly unsafe.

This inconsistency means you should talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it's right for you during pregnancy or lactation — there isn't enough consistent data to know.

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 star anise with medications. However, that does not mean none exist.

If you take any prescription drugs, check your exact medications with the search tool on this page or speak with your doctor or pharmacist.

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.

If you use star anise as a culinary spice in food, that's fine. But this concentrated liquid supplement is a different story.

The safety data doesn't support medicinal or concentrated doses, and there are real concerns about neurological effects from teas and supplements. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it — especially if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or have any neurological concerns.

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.

Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.

See for yourself

Star Anise by doTERRA label

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

Star Anise label

Label images are published by the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database for the version of this product on file. Always read your actual product label.

View the full label (PDF)
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 use in cooking?
Yes, food amounts of the culinary spice are generally well tolerated. The safety concerns apply to concentrated supplements and teas, not to the small amounts you'd use in a recipe.
What are the serious side effects I should know about?
Star anise tea has been linked to seizures, rapid eye movements, jitteriness, irritability, and vomiting — though it's unclear whether these came from the star anise itself or from contamination with a toxic look-alike species. Concentrated oral star anise has also been reported to cause vomiting, diarrhea, and belly distension. Topically, it can cause skin irritation.
Is doTERRA Star Anise safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
The data is inconsistent: one source rates it likely safe, another rates it possibly unsafe. There isn't enough reliable information to know either way, so talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using it if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.
How is this product different from using star anise as a spice?
This is a concentrated liquid supplement, not the small amounts you'd sprinkle in food. The safety data we hold advises against medicinal or concentrated forms because safety hasn't been established — the concerns don't apply to normal culinary use.

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.

Herb & supplement monograph

Star Anise

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 lim...

Read the full Star Anise monograph →
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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