Star anise source of Tamiflu

[Guest guest]

Why an exotic fruit is the world's only weapon against bird flu

By Jeremy Laurance, Health Editor

Published: 15 October 2005

A rare herb grown in China used to flavour duck dishes and treat infants for

colic is at the centre of a worldwide search for a cure for avian flu.

 

Star anise, the unusual fruit of a small oriental tree, is sold in supermarkets

in the UK to consumers seeking its pungent, liquorice-like flavour.

 

But the herb has a vital function as the source of shikimic acid from which the

drug Tamiflu is made, the only defence the world currently has against the

threatened flu pandemicA rare herb grown in China used to flavour duck dishes

and treat infants for colic is at the centre of a worldwide search for a cure

for avian flu.

 

Star anise, the unusual fruit of a small oriental tree, is sold in supermarkets

in the UK to consumers seeking its pungent, liquorice-like flavour.

 

But the herb has a vital function as the source of shikimic acid from which the

drug Tamiflu is made, the only defence the world currently has against the

threatened flu pandemic

 

 

For full article, see here:

http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/health_medical/article319716.ece

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Wasn't star anise banned a year or two ago for some sort of toxicity issue?

-

<snakeoil.works

 

Sunday, October 16, 2005 3:34 AM

Star anise source of Tamiflu

 

 

> Why an exotic fruit is the world's only weapon against bird flu

> By Jeremy Laurance, Health Editor

> Published: 15 October 2005

> A rare herb grown in China used to flavour duck dishes and treat infants

> for colic is at the centre of a worldwide search for a cure for avian flu.

>

> Star anise, the unusual fruit of a small oriental tree, is sold in

> supermarkets in the UK to consumers seeking its pungent, liquorice-like

> flavour.

>

> But the herb has a vital function as the source of shikimic acid from

> which the drug Tamiflu is made, the only defence the world currently has

> against the threatened flu pandemicA rare herb grown in China used to

> flavour duck dishes and treat infants for colic is at the centre of a

> worldwide search for a cure for avian flu.

>

> Star anise, the unusual fruit of a small oriental tree, is sold in

> supermarkets in the UK to consumers seeking its pungent, liquorice-like

> flavour.

>

> But the herb has a vital function as the source of shikimic acid from

> which the drug Tamiflu is made, the only defence the world currently has

> against the threatened flu pandemic

>

>

> For full article, see here:

> http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/health_medical/article319716.ece

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

The wrong species of Star Anise was being used (Japanese instead of

Chinese). The Japanese species is toxic. I have posted the FDA advisory

below (from September 2003).

Bill Schoenbart

PO Box 8099

Santa Cruz, CA 95061

831-335-3165

 

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today is advising consumers not to

consume " teas " brewed from star anise. It has come to FDA's attention that

brewed " teas " containing star anise have been associated with illnesses

affecting about 40 individuals, including approximately 15 infants. The

illnesses, which occurred over the last two years, ranged from serious

neurological effects, such as seizures, to vomiting, jitteriness and rapid

eye movement.

 

Although the labeling of " teas " that contain star anise does not make claims

for the product, FDA understands that these products are popularly believed

to help against colic in infants. FDA is unaware of scientific evidence to

support benefits from " teas " brewed from star anise. Given that fact,

consumers should not use them or give them to infants and children.

 

FDA has not yet identified the specific type of star anise associated with

the illnesses. For this reason, the agency is issuing this advisory as an

interim measure while it continues to gather additional information,

including that from some European countries that have reported similar

outbreaks of seizures in individuals who have consumed tea brewed from star

anise.

 

" One of FDA's highest priorities is to make sure that consumers have

accurate information about the products FDA regulates, " said FDA

Commissioner Mark B. McClellan. " This case illustrates that FDA will take

action to protect consumers against products that may pose health risks. "

 

FDA is concerned that commonly available Chinese star anise (Illicium

verum), a product considered by FDA to be generally recognized as safe

(GRAS), may contain Japanese star anise (Illicium anisatum), which has long

been recognized as toxic in many countries and which should be used for

decorative purposes only. At this time, FDA cannot determine if the star

anise associated with the illnesses was associated with Japanese star anise

or a mixture of Chinese and Japanese star anise.

 

Japanese star anise in its dried or processed form cannot be distinguished

from Chinese star anise through visual examination. Therefore, FDA is

evaluating chemical analytical methods that will differentiate between the

two species of star anise. Until FDA is able to differentiate between

Japanese and Chinese star anise, it is advising the public not to consume

" tea " brewed from any star anise. As part of its ongoing efforts to protect

consumers from unsafe products, FDA will monitor imports of star anise

entering the United States from various countries to ensure that any imports

of Japanese star anise are not labeled or otherwise indicated for use as a

food.

 

FDA considers Chinese star anise to be GRAS when used as a spice or

flavoring; Japanese star anise is not GRAS. GRAS status means that a food

substance is considered by qualified experts to be safe for is intended use.

Safety must be adequately shown through scientific procedures and/or

experience based on a common history of use in food, depending on the

substance.

 

The initial reported illnesses were identified retrospectively through a

record review after a resident physician from Miami Children's Hospital

treating an infant with seizures associated with the ingestion of a star

anise-containing tea reported his findings to the Florida Poison Information

Center (FPIC). FPIC then reported the findings to the FDA.

 

All the affected individuals, including infants, involved in these reported

cases recovered without complications.

 

FDA has since learned of similar reports from Florida, Illinois, New Jersey,

Texas, and Washington as well as the Netherlands, France, and Spain.

 

As a public health agency, FDA is committed to protecting and advancing the

public health. FDA is therefore exploring what additional actions it can

take to protect consumers from the risks from products containing Japanese

star anise.

>>>Wasn't star anise banned a year or two ago for some sort of toxicity

issue?

-

<snakeoil.works

 

Sunday, October 16, 2005 3:34 AM

Star anise source of Tamiflu>>>