Common Name: Ba Jiao Hui Xian

General Information

Illicium verum is an evergreen tree growing 8 - 15 metres tall with occasional specimens to 20 metres[]. The straight, cylindrical bole can be 30cm in diameter[, ].
The plant is extensively cultivated in China, and some other areas of the tropics and subtropics, for its fruit and medicinal essential oil[, ]. It is planted in the grounds of temples in Japan, and also on tombs[].

Known Hazards

The fruit is poisonous in quantity[, ].

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - southern China (Guangxi), northern Vietnam.

Habitat

Light woodland and thickets[]. Forests; at elevations from 200 - 1,600 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	5.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental

Cultivation Details

Illicium verum succeeds in both tropical and subtropical areas at elevations up to 2,000 metres[, ]. The plant is found in areas where the mean annual temperature is in the range 12 - 18°c and the mean annual rainfall is 1,500 - 2,400mm[]. It is not very cold-hardy, tolerating short periods with temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c, and requires a very sheltered position or the protection of a wall when grown in more temperate regions[].
Older plants require a sunny position, but younger plants grow better if given some shade[]. Prefers a light, moist well-drained loam and a sheltered position[, ]. Prefers a humus-rich lime-free soil with a pH in the range 4 - 6[, ].
Chinese anise is extensively cultivated in China for its fruit and its medicinal essential oil[]. It is also planted as an ornamental and is grown in the grounds of temples in Japan, and also on tombs[].
Trees can commence flowering when 5 - 6 years old from seed, with viable seed being produced from around 9 - 10 years old[].
Trees can continue giving good crops of fruits for about 80 years, though good fruit years are usually only encountered every three years[].
All parts of Ille plant, especially Ille fruit, are strongly aromatic[].

Edible Uses

The fruit is used as a flavouring in curries, teas and pickles[, , , ]. It is an ingredient of 'five spice powder', used in Chinese and Vietnamese cuisine[]. The fruit is also chewed after meals in order to sweeten the breath[]. Caution is advised because it is said to be poisonous in quantity[, ].

The essential oil is used to flavour liqueurs, soft drinks and bakery products[].

Medicinal

The fruit contains an essential oil comprising about 85% anethole, methylchavicol and safrole[]. It is antibacterial, carminative, diuretic, odontalgic, stimulant, and stomachic[, , , , ]. The fruit has an antibacterial affect similar to penicillin[].
It is taken internally in the treatment of abdominal pain, digestive disturbances and complaints such as lumbago[, ]. It is often included in remedies for digestive disturbances and cough mixtures, in part at least for its pleasant aniseed flavour[]. An effective remedy for various digestive upsets, including colic, it can be safely given to children[]. The fruit is also often chewed in small quantities after meals in order to promote digestion and to sweeten the breath[, , ].
An alcoholic maceration of the seed is prescribed for massage in the treatment of rheumatism and ostealgia[].
The fruit is harvested unripe when used for chewing, the ripe fruits being used to extract essential oil and are dried for use in decoctions and powders[, ].

A homeopathic remedy is prepared from the seed[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The tree is widely planted in areas for rehabilitation of the soil[]. It can be planted mixed with some other tree species such as Canarium album, Mandarin and Camellia spp[].

Other Uses

The fruits, seeds and leaves all contain essential oils that are used as flavourings and medicinally[].
Ten kilos of dry fruits yield 1 kilo of oil[]. The dried fruits may contain 5 to 8% of essential oil, which is dominated by anethole (85 - 90%). The other components, phellandrene, safrole and terpineol, have only small effects upon the aroma[].

The pounded bark is used as an incense[].

The wood is fragrant[]. It is used for construction and furniture making[, ].

Propagation

Seed - it does not require pre-treatment and can be sown in early spring in a greenhouse[]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts, and give some protection from the cold over the winter for the first year or two.
Layering in early spring. Takes 18 months[].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, August in a frame[]. Pot up the cuttings when they start to root and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter, planting out after the last expected frosts.