Star anise (Illicium verum) is one of the most concentrated natural sources of shikimic acid outside of sweet gum trees. Star anise is also the primary botanical source used industrially as a starting material for shikimic acid. Our tincture is made from the whole seed pods of the star anise plant, extracted in small batches to capture the plant's full compound profile.
If you're drawn to shikimic acid and prefer the flavor and profile of star anise over sweet gum, or want to rotate between sources, this is the companion to our Sweet Gum Ball Extract.
Traditional Use
Star anise has been used for centuries in traditional herbal medicine across Asia, both as a culinary spice and as a wellness support. Traditionally used in herbal medicine as a warming, aromatic herb. The flavor is distinctly anise, warm, slightly sweet, licorice-like. We make no medical claims.
How to Use
Take 1 dropperful (about 1 mL) in water or tea, once or twice a day as part of a wellness routine. Shake well before use. The flavor is warm and pleasant, and it goes especially well in a cup of herbal tea.
What's In It
Star anise (Illicium verum) sourced from a trusted supplier, since it does not grow in Alabama, extracted in alcohol. No water, no additives, no fillers. Available in 1 oz and 2 oz dropper bottles. The whole picture, crop by crop, is on our Where Our Herbs Come From page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this compare to your Sweet Gum Ball Extract?
Both are rich in shikimic acid. Sweet gum is our wild-harvested Alabama source, and we pick every ball by hand. Star anise is the classic botanical source used worldwide, and we source it from a trusted supplier. The profiles are similar; the flavors are different. Some people rotate between both.
Is this the same as the pharmaceutical version?
No. The pharmaceutical route takes shikimic acid as a raw material and chemically modifies it into a finished drug. Ours is a whole-plant tincture, not a drug and not a substitute for one. We make no medical claims.
Is star anise safe?
Yes, culinary star anise (Illicium verum) is a food-safe spice with a long history of use in cooking and traditional herbal medicine. Note: Japanese star anise (Illicium anisatum) is toxic. Our product is culinary star anise, not the Japanese variety.
How do you make it?
Two ways. Some batches soak for six weeks. Others go through our extraction machine, which does that work in a day. Every bottle is made here on the farm in Opp.
How long does a bottle last?
At one dropperful a day, the 1 oz bottle lasts about a month and the 2 oz about two months.
