Illicium verum
Ba Jiao Hui Xian
a perennial woody evergreen member of the Illicium genus in the family Illiciaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Illiciaceae
- Genus
- Illicium
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Woodiness
- woody
- Height
- 5 m
- Spread
- 3 m
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The fruit is used as a flavouring in curries, teas and pickles[9][4][6][12]. It is an ingredient of 'five spice powder', used in Chinese and Vietnamese cuisine[12]. The fruit is also chewed after meals in order to sweeten the breath[16]. Caution is advised because it is said to be poisonous in quantity[8][6]. The essential oil is used to flavour liqueurs, soft drinks and bakery products[12].
- Plant part
- Fruit
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The fruit is antibacterial, carminative, diuretic, odontalgic, stimulant, and stomachic[16][11][17][5][13]. It is taken internally in the treatment of abdominal pain, digestive disturbances and complaints such as lumbago[5][12]. It is often included in remedies for digestive disturbances and cough mixtures, in part at least for its pleasant aniseed flavour[12]. An effective remedy for various digestive upsets, including colic, it can be safely given to children[14]. The fruit is also often chewed in small quantities after meals in order to promote digestion and to sweeten the breath[16][12]. The fruit has an antibacterial affect similar to penicillin[5]. 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[12]. A homeopathic remedy is prepared from the seed[16].
- Product or use
- Antibacterial
- Product or use
- Carminative
- Product or use
- Expectorant
- Product or use
- Homeopathy
- Product or use
- Stimulant
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The pounded bark is used as an incense[16].
- Product or use
- Essential
- Product or use
- Incense
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - China, Vietnam.
- Habitat
- Light woodland and thickets[10]. Forests at elevations of 200 - 1600 metres in S and W Guangxi Province, China[15].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 8+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - it does not require pre-treatment and can be sown in early spring in a greenhouse[3]. 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[18]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, August in a frame[3]. 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.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Prefers a light, moist well-drained loam and a sheltered position[1][2] Prefers a humus-rich lime-free soil[7][10]. Succeeds in sun or semi-shade[10]. This species is not very cold-hardy, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c and requires a very sheltered position or the protection of a wall when grown in Britain[10]. Chinese anise is extensively cultivated in China for its fruit and medicinal essential oil[10]. It is planted in the grounds of temples in Japan, and also on tombs[16]. Plants seldom grow larger than about 3 metres in Britain, but eventually reach about 18 metres tall in their native habitat[10].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009
Bianchini. F., Corbetta. F. and Pistoia. M. Fruits of the Earth.
Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2
Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-600-35666-3
Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00
Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148
Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00