Question - Chinese star anise (Illicium verum Hook f.) is used as a spice in a variety of ethnic cultures. Star anise has also been used as a folk treatment for infant colic. What toxicities have been reported as possibly being associated with the use of star anise as a folk remedy in infants?
Answer - Some articles have reported increased irritability, movement disorders, vomiting and nystagmnus as well as “jitteriness, sleeplessness and seizures in infants who have been given star anise. (Ize-Ludlow D et al. Neurotoxicities in infants seen with the consumption of star anise tea. 2004 Pediatrics 114(5): e653-e656)
Posted in Question Of The Day