evidence: - Shikimic acid (and, by extension, an extract of Sweetgum seeds) acts like Tamiflu® in the human body - Or, shikimic acid is the active ingredient in Tamiflu®, not the starting material [...] - The shikimic acid in the infertile seeds of Sweetgum does not work like Tamiflu® - There is currently no scientific evidence to suggest that shikimic acid functions as an antiviral (although there is evidence that it has antimicrobial properties!) [...] American Sweetgum balls might (a big MIGHT) contain a neuraminidase inhibitor that acts similarly to Tamiflu®–but that chemical is definitely not shikimic acid, and it’s probably not coming from the infertile seeds.