Star Anise

Yes. Star anise is firm and woody, and the whole pods are often left in a dish while cooking, which are qualities that pose an increased risk of choking. To reduce the risk, prepare and serve star anise in an age-appropriate way as described in How to Serve. As always, make sure to create a safe eating environment and stay within reach of baby during meals. 

Learn the signs of choking and more about choking first aid in our free guides, Infant Rescue and Toddler Rescue.

No. Allergies to star anise are not common, but have been reported. Note that certain spice blends that feature star anise may contain common food allergens, so make sure to read labels thoroughly if your child has food allergies.

Individuals with Oral Allergy Syndrome, particularly those who are allergic to birch tree or mugwort weed pollen, may be sensitive to certain spices, including star anise. Oral Allergy Syndrome typically results in short-lived itching, tingling, or burning in the mouth and is unlikely to result in a dangerous reaction. Individuals with known allergy to other foods in the Apiaceae family (including caraway, carrot, celery, coriander, cumin, dill, fennel, parsley, and parsnips) may also have sensitivity to star anise.

That said, spices can also cause reactions that mimic allergic symptoms. For example, inhaling a puff of powdered star anise can irritate the nasal passageways and trigger sneezing and coughing, but may not be triggered by an allergy. Additionally, certain spices, like star anise, may cause contact rashes due to potentially skin-irritating components in the food, but not necessarily result due to an allergic reaction.

Foods seasoned with spices like star anise may cause a harmless rash around the mouth while baby eats or may cause or worsen diaper rash. Try applying a thin layer of barrier cream or ointment—such as pure petroleum jelly or a plant-based oil/wax balm—to baby’s face and diaper area to help prevent contact rash.

Yes, star anise is generally recognized as safe when used in amounts typically used in cooking. Make sure you buy star anise from a grocery store or other trusted food retailer, and avoid serving star anise tea to babies and toddlers. 

While Chinese star anise (Illicium verum) is safe for consumption, Japanese star anise (Illicium anisatum) is highly toxic. Japanese star anise is not sold in grocery stores, but it looks similar to its edible cousin, and there have been reports of star anise tea being contaminated with toxic Japanese star anise and causing illness in children. Star anise essential oil should also be avoided, as limited research is available on its safety for babies.

Yes, when used in amounts typically used in cooking. Star anise contains a number of beneficial plant compounds like safrole, anethole and more which have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer effects.

No. Star anise and anise have similar licorice-like flavors, but they come from different plants and are not botanically related. Star anise is the star-shaped fruit of a tree native to parts of East and Southeast Asia, while anise (aniseed) comes from a flowering plant in the parsley family. They are sometimes used interchangeably in cooking due to their similar flavor profiles, but they are different.

No. Star anise tea is not recommended for babies. There have been reports of serious adverse effects in infants given star anise tea, including neurological symptoms, often due to contamination or misidentification with toxic Japanese star anise. For this reason, only use star anise from trusted food retailers and only use as a seasoning in solid food meals rather than as a tea or herbal remedy.