Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Shikimic acid’s use in supporting or treating viral infections is primarily supported by scientific rationale rather than traditional use. Shikimic acid is a natural compound found in plants, most notably in the star anise plant (Illicium verum). Its main claim to fame is as the key starting material for the industrial synthesis of oseltamivir (Tamiflu), a widely used antiviral medication for influenza. However, shikimic acid itself is not an antiviral agent; it requires significant chemical modification to become oseltamivir. There are some in vitro studies suggesting that shikimic acid may have anti-inflammatory and mild immunomodulatory effects, but there is no direct evidence that it is effective as an antiviral agent in humans or animals.

Despite its central role in antiviral drug synthesis, shikimic acid is not used as an over-the-counter treatment for viral infections, nor is it part of any traditional medicinal system for this purpose. Its inclusion in dietary supplements or herbal remedies is often based on its connection to Tamiflu, rather than on direct evidence of efficacy. Thus, while there is a scientific basis for its importance in antiviral drug production, the evidence supporting shikimic acid itself as a viral infection treatment is weak (rated 2/5), supported mainly by its role as a precursor — not as an active antiviral agent.

More about Shikimic Acid
More about Infection (viral)

Other ingredients used for Infection (viral)

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Agastache
Agave
AHCC
Ajoene
Alchornea
Alkylglycerols
Alliin
Allium tuberosum
alpha-pinene
Alstonia scholaris
Amor seco
anamu
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andrographolide
apple cider vinegar
arabinogalactan
Artepillin C
Asarum heterotropoides
Asarum sieboldii
aucubin
Aureobasidium pullulans
babchi
Baccharis dracunculifolia
baicalin
Baphicacanthus cusia
barberry
Bauhinia
bee propolis
Belamcanda
berberine
beta-glucan
betel
betulinic acid
black cumin
Blepharis
boneset
Brazilian peppertree
burdock
calamus
Campsiandra angustifolia
carvacrol
cassia bark
casticin
cat's claw
Centipeda
Cistus
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Coptis chinensis
coriolus mushroom
curcumin
cuspidatum root
Cymbidium goeringii
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
dialyzable leukocyte extract
Echinacea
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
eucalyptus
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fernbush
Flueggea suffruticosa
fucoidan
galangin
Gallesia
geranium
ginger
Globulins
Glucan peptides
golden shower tree
goldenseal
Graviola
honeysuckle
Houttuynia
Humic acid
Hypericin
immunoglobin G
Immunoglobulin G
iodine
Ivy
Java brucea
Kachnar
knotgrass
Labdanum
Lactobacillus paracasei
Lactococcus rhamnosus
Lactoferrin
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Lapachol
lauric acid
Lentinan
lichen
licorice root
liverwort
Lomatium
mangosteen
mangostin
Marsh Tea
Matapalo Tree
Microtea debilis
Milkweed
Monolaurin
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Myrobalan
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oriental arborvitae
pau d'arco
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phlorotannins
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pistacia integerrima gall
polysaccharides
Premna
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ravinsara
reishi mushroom
Rhabdosia rubescens
Sambucus nigra
Sandalwood
Sanguisorba
sarsaparilla
selenium
Shikimic Acid
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spirulina
Sulfated polysaccharide
sweet wormwood
Swertia
Tannins
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turmeric
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vitamin A
vitamin C
vitamin D
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Other health conditions supported by Shikimic Acid

Colds (antiviral)
Infection (viral)
Influenza

Products containing Shikimic Acid

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.