Side Effects of Star Anise

Star anise is likely safe when used as a flavoring in foods. There is not enough information to know if it is safe for use as a medicine. Some ingredients can cause skin problems including swelling, scaling and blisters when applied to the skin.

Be sure you are using Chinese star anise, not Japanese star anise, which is poisonous.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking star anise if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Children: It is unsafe to use star anise in infants. It is too hard to make sure the product you are using is pure Chinese star anise, not contaminated with poisonous Japanese star anise. Pure Chinese star anise is commonly used in infants and has a history of safe use. However, some infants given star anise tea have shown irritability, vomiting and seizures. These symptoms are likely attributable to star anise that has been adulterated with toxic Japanese star anise (Illicium anisatum). Unless it can be verified that star anise tea does not contain Japanese star anise, the tea should be avoided in infants. Not enough is known about the safety of star anise for older children.

(Source: www.webmd.com)