Key Takeaways

Drinking star anise tea will not provide the same benefits as taking Tamiflu for the flu.

Star anise may have some antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.

While star anise tea is generally safe for most adults, it should not be given to babies or young children.

Oseltamivir, sold under the brand name Tamiflu, is an antiviral drug used to treat and prevent the flu. Some TikTokers claim that mixing star anise with hot water can offer the same effects, but experts say they're mistaken.

Why Star Anise Tea Won’t Work Like an Antiviral

"Confusion about this has arisen from the fact that pharmaceutical companies use star anise as a raw material to manufacture Tamiflu because it is a natural source of shikimic acid, which is a precursor to the a

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