# Shikimic acid **Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/shikimic-acid **Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia **Updated:** 2026-03-31 **Evidence Score:** 2 / 10 **Category:** Compound **Also Known As:** 3,4,5-trihydroxy-1-cyclohexene-1-carboxylic acid, shikimate, shikimic acid monohydrate, star anise acid, illicium acid, 3,4,5-trihydroxycyclohex-1-ene-1-carboxylic acid ## Overview Shikimic acid is a naturally occurring cyclohexanecarboxylic acid found in star anise, plants, and microorganisms, serving as a critical intermediate in the shikimate pathway for synthesizing aromatic amino acids like phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan. It gained pharmaceutical prominence as the primary precursor in the industrial synthesis of oseltamivir (Tamiflu), though direct human supplementation lacks clinical trial support. ## Health Benefits • No human clinical trials or health benefits are documented in the available research • Serves as a key intermediate in the shikimate pathway for aromatic amino acid synthesis (biochemical role only) • Functions as a precursor for plant compounds like alkaloids, flavonoids, and tannins (plant [metabolism](/ingredients/condition/weight-management)) • Detected as a food biomarker in various plant foods (analytical use only) • No therapeutic benefits established through clinical evidence ## Mechanism of Action Shikimic acid enters the shikimate pathway where it is phosphorylated by shikimate kinase to form shikimate-3-phosphate, which subsequently condenses with phosphoenolpyruvate via 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate (EPSP) synthase to form chorismate. Chorismate serves as the branch-point precursor to aromatic amino acids, secondary metabolites including alkaloids, lignins, flavonoids, and tannins. In pharmaceutical manufacturing, shikimic acid undergoes a multi-step chemical conversion to produce the neuraminidase inhibitor oseltamivir, which blocks influenza viral replication by preventing release of virions from host cells. ## Clinical Summary No published human clinical trials have evaluated shikimic acid as a direct oral supplement for any health outcome as of the available literature. Most research is confined to in vitro and preclinical animal studies examining its [antioxidant](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant), [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation), and antiplatelet aggregation properties at concentrations that have not been validated in human pharmacokinetic models. One preclinical study noted inhibition of platelet aggregation and thrombosis in rodent models, but sample sizes and doses used cannot be extrapolated to human supplementation guidelines. The overall evidence base is insufficient to support any clinical health claims for isolated shikimic acid supplementation in humans. ## Nutritional Profile Shikimic acid is a cyclitol carboxylic acid (C7H10O5, molecular weight 174.15 g/mol), not a macronutrient or micronutrient itself, but a naturally occurring plant-derived organic acid and biochemical intermediate. It is not classified as a vitamin, mineral, or essential nutrient. Macronutrient contribution: negligible in typical dietary exposure — present in trace to low milligram quantities per serving in most plant foods. Notable natural concentrations: Chinese star anise (Illicium verum) contains the highest documented levels at approximately 3–7% dry weight (up to ~70 mg/g dried spice), making it the primary commercial extraction source. Other sources include pine needles (~2–3 mg/g), wheatgrass (~1–2 mg/g), fennel, and various berries (typically <1 mg/g fresh weight). Detected as a urinary and plasma biomarker after consumption of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, with plasma concentrations in the low micromolar range (1–10 µmol/L) reported in biomarker studies. It is a water-soluble polar compound with estimated good intestinal absorption based on its small molecular size and hydrophilicity, though formal human bioavailability studies are limited. It contains no fiber, protein, fat, or recognized vitamin/mineral content. Bioactive role is primarily as a metabolic intermediate in the shikimate pathway and as a pharmaceutical precursor (notably for oseltamivir/Tamiflu synthesis); no established Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) or Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) exists. ## Dosage & Preparation No clinically studied dosage ranges, standardized forms, or therapeutic preparations have been established for shikimic acid supplementation. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement. ## Safety & Drug Interactions Shikimic acid has no established safe supplementation dosage for humans, and its tolerability profile in clinical populations has not been formally studied in controlled trials. Theoretical concern exists around its antiplatelet activity observed in preclinical models, suggesting potential additive bleeding risk when combined with anticoagulants such as warfarin, aspirin, or clopidogrel, though this interaction has not been confirmed in humans. Pregnancy and lactation safety data are entirely absent, making its use inadvisable in these populations without medical supervision. Individuals with clotting disorders or those scheduled for surgery should avoid shikimic acid supplementation pending further human safety data. ## Scientific Research No human clinical trials, randomized controlled trials, or meta-analyses were identified in the research for shikimic acid as a therapeutic agent. The available literature focuses exclusively on its chemical properties and role in plant biosynthetic pathways rather than human health applications. ## Historical & Cultural Context Despite being isolated from Japanese star anise (shikimi) in 1885, no traditional medicinal uses are documented in the available sources. The compound's naming reflects its botanical origin rather than any historical therapeutic application. ## Synergistic Combinations No synergistic ingredients identified due to lack of clinical research ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is shikimic acid used for in medicine? Shikimic acid is primarily used as the key industrial starting material for synthesizing oseltamivir (Tamiflu), the widely prescribed influenza neuraminidase inhibitor. It is extracted in large quantities from star anise (Illicium verum) and converted through a multi-step chemical process into the active pharmaceutical. It is not itself an approved drug or validated supplement for human therapeutic use. ### What foods are high in shikimic acid? Star anise (Illicium verum) contains the highest known concentrations of shikimic acid, with dried fruit yielding approximately 3–7% shikimic acid by dry weight, making it the primary commercial extraction source. It is also found in smaller quantities in pine needles, wheatgrass, fennel, and sweetgum fruit (Liquidambar styraciflua). Dietary intake from normal food consumption is generally very low and not considered pharmacologically significant. ### Does shikimic acid have antiviral properties? Shikimic acid itself does not function as a direct antiviral agent; its antiviral relevance is entirely as a chemical precursor to oseltamivir (Tamiflu), which inhibits influenza neuraminidase enzymes. Some in vitro studies have explored shikimic acid derivatives for antiviral activity, but no human clinical evidence supports consuming shikimic acid to prevent or treat viral infections. Confusing shikimic acid with oseltamivir is a common misconception. ### Can shikimic acid be found in pine needle tea? Yes, pine needle tea made from species such as Pinus sylvestris and Pinus strobus contains measurable amounts of shikimic acid, which gained public attention during the COVID-19 pandemic due to inaccurate claims linking it to vaccine-related spike protein neutralization. No peer-reviewed evidence supports this claim, and the concentration of shikimic acid in pine needle tea is far too low to produce the pharmaceutical effects associated with oseltamivir. Consumption of certain pine species also poses risks from toxic compounds like isocupressic acid. ### Is shikimic acid safe to take as a supplement? There is currently no established safe dosage, regulatory approval, or clinical trial data supporting shikimic acid as a human dietary supplement. Preclinical data suggest it may inhibit platelet aggregation via inhibition of thromboxane A2 synthesis, which could pose bleeding risks in susceptible individuals or those on blood-thinning medications. Until human pharmacokinetic and safety studies are conducted, supplementation cannot be recommended, particularly for pregnant women, surgical patients, or individuals with coagulation disorders. ### What is the difference between shikimic acid and the shikimate pathway? Shikimic acid is a specific organic compound, while the shikimate pathway is the biochemical route through which plants synthesize it as an intermediate step toward making aromatic amino acids and secondary metabolites. Shikimic acid itself is just one molecule in this multi-step metabolic sequence, not the entire pathway. Understanding this distinction is important because the pathway's function in plants differs from any potential role shikimic acid might have when consumed as an isolated supplement. ### How is shikimic acid concentration measured in plant foods? Shikimic acid is typically quantified in plant foods using analytical chemistry methods such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or mass spectrometry, which detect and measure the compound's presence. These measurements serve primarily as biochemical markers or indicators of food composition rather than indicators of health benefit. The presence of shikimic acid in foods is used in nutritional science for classification and authentication purposes, not as a guide for therapeutic intake. ### Why is shikimic acid important to plant biology but not necessarily to human health? Shikimic acid is essential in plants because it is a key intermediate in producing aromatic amino acids and secondary plant compounds like flavonoids and alkaloids—molecules crucial for plant survival and function. However, humans cannot synthesize these compounds from shikimic acid the way plants do, as humans lack the enzymatic machinery of the shikimate pathway. This biochemical difference explains why shikimic acid's role in plants does not automatically translate to documented health benefits when consumed by humans. --- *Source: Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia — https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com* *License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — Attribution required. Commercial use: admin@hermeticasuperfoods.com*