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Star anise is the dried, star-shaped fruit of Illicium verum, an evergreen tree native to southeastern China and Vietnam, and it gives braises, five-spice powder, pho broth and mulled drinks their warm, licorice-like aroma. USDA FoodData Central has no entry for star anise, so this guide does not invent numbers; it shows the USDA values for anise seed, a different plant, and labels them clearly. The most important fact about star anise is a safety one: Chinese star anise is a recognized spice, but Japanese star anise (Illicium anisatum) is toxic, the two look alike once dried, and the FDA has advised people not to drink teas brewed from star anise.
Peptide Labs does not sell star anise or star anise products. This article is general nutrition information, not medical advice.
Key Takeaways
- Star anise (Illicium verum) and anise seed (Pimpinella anisum) are different plants that share a licorice-like flavor; FDA lists both as spices.
- Japanese star anise (Illicium anisatum) is not a food. FDA says it has long been recognized as toxic and should be used for decorative purposes only.
- In 2003 FDA advised consumers not to drink teas brewed from star anise after about 40 illnesses, including about 15 infants.
- Pediatric case reports describe seizures, vomiting and irritability in infants given star anise tea; never give star anise tea to babies.
- USDA SR Legacy has no star anise entry, so there are no official star anise nutrition numbers to quote.
- In cooking, whole pods flavor long-simmered dishes and are lifted out before serving.
What star anise is
Star anise comes from Illicium verum, an aromatic evergreen tree that a 2011 review in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology places in the family Illiciaceae (Wang et al.). The spice is the whole dried fruit, usually eight woody sections arranged in a star, each holding a seed. A 2022 review in Molecules notes that the tree grows wild in southeastern China and Vietnam, is cultivated in China, and that trans-anethole is the main compound in its essential oil (Sharafan et al.). Anethole is the aroma people usually describe as anise or licorice.
On the regulatory side, the FDA list of spices generally recognized as safe for their intended use (21 CFR 182.10) names “Anise, star” with the botanical name Illicium verum. Japanese star anise is not on that list. An industry expert panel (the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association, FEMA) also reaffirmed in 2023 that flavoring extracts from star anise, anise seed and allspice are generally recognized as safe as food flavorings, and stated that its review did not cover dietary supplements (Rietjens et al., Food and Chemical Toxicology). Panel members disclosed ties to FEMA.
Star anise vs anise: two different plants
The star anise vs anise question trips up many shoppers because the names and flavors overlap. Anise seed is the small, ridged seed of Pimpinella anisum, a separate plant that FDA lists on its own line in 21 CFR 182.10. Cooks often swap them for flavor. Star anise tends to taste warmer and slightly more bitter, while anise seed is sweeter and more delicate. Fennel seed is a third, separate spice with a milder anise note; our fennel guide covers it, and licorice root is a fourth plant again.
| Feature | Star anise | Anise seed |
|---|---|---|
| Plant | Illicium verum (fruit of an evergreen tree) | Pimpinella anisum (small seed) |
| Looks like | Woody star with about eight points | Tiny gray-green ridged seeds |
| FDA spice list (21 CFR 182.10) | Listed as Anise, star | Listed as Anise |
| USDA SR Legacy entry | None | Spices, anise seed (FDC 171316) |
| Flavor | Warm, deep, licorice-like | Sweeter, lighter, licorice-like |
| Typical uses | Braises, pho broth, five-spice, poached fruit | Cookies, breads, sausages, liqueurs |
| Look-alike risk | Japanese star anise (FDA advisory) | None of this kind |
Star anise nutrition: what USDA has (and does not have)
USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy) does not include star anise, so we cannot give star anise nutrition values from an official database, and we will not estimate them. The nearest entry, clearly a different plant, is anise seed (FDC 171316). Percent Daily Values use the FDA reference amounts for adults (iron 18 milligrams, manganese 2.3 milligrams, copper 0.9 milligrams, calcium 1,300 milligrams, fiber 28 grams).
| Anise seed, not star anise (USDA SR Legacy) | Calories | Iron | Manganese | Copper | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 tsp whole seed (2.1 g), FDC 171316 | 7 | 0.78 mg (4% DV) | 0.05 mg (2% DV) | 0.02 mg (2% DV) | 0.3 g (1% DV) |
| 1 tbsp whole seed (6.7 g), FDC 171316 | 23 | 2.5 mg (14% DV) | 0.15 mg (7% DV) | 0.06 mg (7% DV) | 1.0 g (3% DV) |
| Star anise | No SR Legacy entry | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
Like most spices, anise seed looks mineral-rich per 100 grams in USDA data (36.96 milligrams of iron) only because it is dry and concentrated; a recipe portion adds a small share. Whole star anise pods are usually removed before eating, so for most dishes the spice contributes aroma rather than measurable nutrients. Spices are also a way to add flavor with very little sodium (see low sodium foods).
Chinese vs Japanese star anise
This is the part of the Chinese vs Japanese star anise story that matters most. Chinese star anise (Illicium verum) is the culinary spice. Japanese star anise (Illicium anisatum) is a related tree whose fruit contains anisatin, a neurotoxin; a 2013 study in the Journal of Chromatography A measured an anisatin signal about 250 times higher in Japanese than in Chinese star anise and noted that the fruits are morphologically similar (Schrage et al.). The 2011 review adds that Chinese star anise is sometimes contaminated with highly toxic Japanese star anise and with a third species, I. lanceolatum, which the authors describe as poisonous.
| Feature | Chinese star anise | Japanese star anise |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical name | Illicium verum | Illicium anisatum |
| FDA status (2003 advisory) | Generally recognized as safe as a spice or flavoring | Not generally recognized as safe; decorative use only |
| Key concern | Possible contamination with the Japanese species | Contains anisatin, a neurotoxin (studies) |
| Can you tell them apart by eye? | Not reliably once dried or processed, per FDA | Not reliably once dried or processed, per FDA |
| Where it belongs | Food-labeled spice jars | Not in food or tea |
Because the dried fruits are hard to tell apart, the practical rule is to cook only with star anise sold as a food spice and labeled for culinary use, and never to cook with star anise sold for crafts, wreaths or potpourri. FDA said in 2003 that Japanese star anise should be used for decorative purposes only and that it would watch imports so Japanese star anise is not labeled for food use.
The FDA advisory on star anise teas
On September 10, 2003, FDA advised consumers not to drink teas brewed from star anise. FDA said brewed star anise teas had been linked to illnesses in about 40 people, including about 15 infants, over the previous two years, with effects ranging from seizures to vomiting, jitteriness and rapid eye movement. FDA noted these teas are popularly believed to help with colic in infants, said it was unaware of scientific evidence to support benefits from star anise teas, and told consumers not to use them or give them to infants and children. FDA reported that all affected people recovered without complications.
Pediatric reports since then tell the same story. A 2004 Pediatrics case series described seven infants with neurologic reactions after star anise tea given at home, found evidence that Chinese star anise had been contaminated with the Japanese species, and concluded that star anise tea should no longer be given to infants (Ize-Ludlow et al.). A 2021 case report described a 2-week-old seen in an emergency department for abnormal movements, irritability and vomiting after star anise tea given for colic (Donner and Ruest, Rhode Island Medical Journal). Never give star anise tea to a baby; if one has had it and shows unusual movements, vomiting or unusual sleepiness, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or seek emergency care right away, and talk to a pediatrician about colic rather than using home teas.
Star anise in drug manufacturing
The 2011 review notes that Chinese star anise is a major source of shikimic acid, a starting material for the prescription drug oseltamivir (Tamiflu), and a 2015 review describes shikimic acid being extracted from star anise pods for that synthesis, with engineered microbial fermentation developed as an alternative source (Martinez et al., Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology). That is an industrial chemistry supply chain, not a reason to drink star anise tea: the spice is not a substitute for the medicine, and FDA has said it knows of no evidence supporting benefits from star anise teas.
How to cook with star anise
- Add whole pods to braises, stocks and pho-style broths, then lift them out before serving.
- Grind it only as part of a blend, such as five-spice powder, and check that the jar is labeled for culinary use.
- Pair it with pork, beef, duck, onions, citrus and poached pears; see our cinnamon and cloves guides for the spices it is usually blended with.
- Store whole pods in an airtight jar away from heat and light; whole pods keep their aroma longer than ground spice.
- For a warm spice note in baking with a different profile, try allspice.
Star anise oil is a separate product from the kitchen spice. Poison Control (the National Capital Poison Center) warns that essential oils can be dangerous if swallowed and should be kept away from children.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is star anise the same as anise?
No. Star anise is the fruit of Illicium verum, and anise seed comes from Pimpinella anisum. They taste similar because both carry a licorice-like aroma, and FDA lists them as separate spices.
What is the difference between Chinese vs Japanese star anise?
Chinese star anise is the culinary spice FDA considers generally recognized as safe. Japanese star anise contains the neurotoxin anisatin; FDA says it is not a food and should be used for decorative purposes only.
What did FDA say about star anise tea for babies?
No. FDA advised consumers not to give star anise teas to infants and children, and pediatric case reports describe seizures and vomiting in infants after star anise tea. Talk to a pediatrician about colic instead.
Can you tell Japanese star anise apart by looking at it?
Not reliably. FDA said dried or processed Japanese star anise cannot be distinguished from Chinese star anise by visual examination, which is why labs use chemical tests.
Does star anise have nutrition data?
USDA SR Legacy has no star anise entry. The nearest entry is anise seed, a different plant; a teaspoon of whole anise seed has about 7 calories in USDA data.
Do published reviews link star anise to Tamiflu?
Shikimic acid from star anise pods has been a starting material for oseltamivir, per published reviews. Eating star anise or drinking its tea is not a substitute for the medicine.
Questions about a label? Contact us or read our Buyer’s Guide. Food comes first; follow the label and ask a healthcare provider before starting a supplement, especially if you take medicines, are pregnant or have a food allergy. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Last reviewed October 2026.
Related guides: Allspice: What Is Allspice, Allspice Nutrition and an Allspice Substitute, Fennel Seeds: Benefits, Fennel Tea, Bloating Evidence and Safety, Cloves: Spice Benefits, Nutrition and Clove Oil Safety.