evidence: The TikTok video was correct in saying that sweetgum seeds contain shikimic acid[1]. However, this is at even lower levels than star anise and is not a commercial source for Tamiflu manufacturing. The video claimed that cutting the gum balls and soaking them in vodka would release "nature’s cure". Given that a critical industrial purification process struggles to extract enough shikimic acid from these sources, it seems unlikely that this method would be effective. The video also makes reference to using sweetgum balls to treat COVID-19. However, as mentioned previously, Tamiflu works by targeting a specific protein in the flu virus. There is no equivalent of the neuraminidase protein in the SARS-CoV-2 virus, so the drug cannot act in the same way that it does with flu[4]. To claim that shikimic acid can help treat COVID-19 would need evidence from research. In summary, shikimic acid is not the active ingredient in Tamiflu. Shikimic acid is chemically altered to produce Tamiflu and will not have the same effect. The amount of shikimic acid in sweetgum balls is very low and it is difficult to extract.