Teas brewed from star anise may cause illness - Brief Article

AORN Journal,  Nov, 2003  

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The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising consumers not to drink tea brewed from star anise, according to a Sept 10, 2003, news release from the FDA. These teas have been associated with illnesses in about 40 individuals, including approximately 15 infants. These products are popularly believed to provide relief from colic in infants; however, no scientific evidence supports this belief.

The illnesses, which have occurred during the Last two years, range from serious neurological effects (eg, seizures) to vomiting, jitteriness, and rapid eye movement. Some European countries have reported similar outbreaks of seizures in individuals who have consumed tea brewed from star anise.

The FDA is concerned that commonly available Chinese star anise (ie, Illicium verum), a product generally recognized as safe, may contain Japanese star anise (Illicium anisatum), which tong has been recognized as toxic in many countries and should be used for decorative purposes only. The FDA has not yet determined if the star anise associated with the illnesses was associated with Japanese star anise or a mixture of Chinese and Japanese star anise.

FDA Issues Advisory on Star Anise "Teas" (news release, Rockville, Md: US Food and Drug Administration, Sept 10, 2003) http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2003/NEW 00941.html (accessed 22 Sept 2003).

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