I heard that plant star anise which is used as a spice, produces a substance that is present in tamiflu. I use star anise very often in kitchen. Is shikimic acid present in spice that we can buy? I would like to have more information about this.
Star anise is small native evergreen tree of NE China. This plant is primary industrial resource of shikimic acid. Japanese star anise is highly toxic tree; it contains anisatin that causes severe kidney and urinary inflammation.
Star anise is used to treat conditions when stomach produces too much acid.