Evidence supporting the use of: Star Anise
For the health condition: Sore Throat

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

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

Star anise (Illicium verum) has a long history of use in traditional medicine, particularly in East Asian cultures, for alleviating symptoms associated with respiratory conditions, including sore throat. The spice contains compounds such as anethole, shikimic acid, and flavonoids, which have been studied for their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. However, most traditional uses for sore throat are based on empirical knowledge rather than systematic scientific studies. While laboratory research has demonstrated the antimicrobial potential of star anise extracts against certain pathogens, there is a lack of robust clinical trials specifically evaluating its efficacy in treating sore throat in humans. Most references to star anise for sore throat support come from herbal medicine texts and folk practices, where it is commonly brewed as a tea or used in decoctions to soothe throat discomfort. To date, scientific validation remains limited, and health authorities do not officially recognize star anise as a treatment for sore throat. Thus, its use for this condition is primarily justified by tradition rather than strong scientific evidence.

More about Star Anise
More about Sore Throat

Products containing Star Anise

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