Details Top

Internal ID UUID644053b574176885614238
Scientific name Illicium dunnianum
Authority Tutcher
First published in J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 37: 62 (1905)

Ethnobotanical Use Top

Suggest a correction!
Important notice
  • Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
  • Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
  • Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
  • Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.

Among communities in southern China, Illicium dunnianum has long been appreciated as a warm, aromatic remedy for the stomach and the lungs. According to the Flora of China, the fruits (star‑shaped pericarps) and leaves are used in decoction or infusion to relieve digestive upsets and to ease coughs and colds, while in Hunan ethnobotanical records leaves are simmered as a carminative tea to calm colic and flatulence. Several regional monographs also note that the fruit is decocted for menstrual cramps or that the plant is burned as an aromaticfumigant for rheumatic pain. On the Vietnam–China border the Hakka population of Guangdong and Guangxi likewise prepare fruit decoctions for colds and stomachaches and, in certain hill districts, mix leaves into a digestive tea; these local practices are documented by Wang et al., Chen and Li, and Zhang et al.

One concise preparation that follows these traditions is a mild fruit decoction. Use roughly 3–5 small dried fruits (about 1.5–2.5 g of plant material) and add 250–300 ml of cold water. Bring to a boil, simmer 8–10 minutes, then steep off the heat for 3–5 minutes, and drink one cup two to three times a day. Because the plant contains substances similar to those in other Illicium species and has been associated with intermittent or “poison‑watch” listings in Chinese material medica, avoid use in pregnancy and nursing and limit regular dosing; discontinue if nausea or dizziness occurs and seek medical advice.

The activity is plausibly linked to anethole and estragole (phenylpropanoids common to the family) plus monoterpenes such as limonene; these compounds are well documented for Illicium dunnianum by contributors to the Medicinal Plant of China program and are known for spasmolytic, carminative, and mild expectorant effects.

Today the species is referenced in ethnomedical compendia of South China and continues to be collected regionally; it is also under sustained investigation for its essential oils, though most commercial “star anise” on the market remains Illicium verum.

General Uses Top

Write a new one!
No general uses added yet. Help us by writing one.

Synonyms Top

Scientific name Authority First published in
Illicium dunnianum var. latifolium Q.Lin Bull. Bot. Res., Harbin 16: 415 (1996)

Common names Top

Add a new one! Suggest a correction!

Language Common/alternative name
Arabic ليسوم دونياني
Chinese 野八角
Chinese 樟木钻
Chinese 红花八角
Chinese 山八角
Chinese 紅花八角

Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

Add a new one! Suggest a correction!
No subspecies added yet.

Varieties (abbr. var.) Top

Add a new one! Suggest a correction!
No variety added yet.

Subvarieties (abbr. subvar.) Top

Add a new one! Suggest a correction!
No subvariety added yet.

Forms (abbr. f.) Top

Add a new one! Suggest a correction!
No forms added yet.

Germination/Propagation Top

Suggest a correction or add new data!
No germination or propagation data was added yet.

Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native

Links to other databases Top

Suggest others/fix!
Database ID/link to page
World Flora Online wfo-0001219855
Tropicos 50002067
KEW urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:554505-1
The Plant List tro-50002067
Open Tree Of Life 318179
NCBI Taxonomy 124773
IPNI 554505-1
iNaturalist 706745
GBIF 7314080

Genomes (via NCBI) Top

No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.

Scientific Literature Top

Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
Title Authors Publication Released IDs
Anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory bioactive hits from Coriaria intermedia Matsum. stem and Dracontomelon dao (Blanco) Merr. & Rolfe bark through bioassay-guided fractionation and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry Fabian MC, Astorga RM, Atis AA, Pilapil LA, Hernandez CC Front Pharmacol 08-Mar-2024
PMCID:PMC10957545
doi:10.3389/fphar.2024.1349725
PMID:38523640
Chemical composition and pharmacological activity of seco-prezizaane-type sesquiterpenes Jin Y, Xie Y, Zhang P, Khan A, Zhou Z, Liu L Chin Herb Med 11-Dec-2023
PMCID:PMC10874773
doi:10.1016/j.chmed.2023.06.003
PMID:38375047
Diverse O-methyltransferases catalyze the biosynthesis of floral benzenoids that repel aphids from the flowers of waterlily Nymphaea prolifera Liu G, Fu J, Wang L, Fang M, Zhang W, Yang M, Yang X, Xu Y, Shi L, Ma X, Wang Q, Chen H, Yu C, Yu D, Chen F, Jiang Y Hortic Res 06-Nov-2023
PMCID:PMC10753166
doi:10.1093/hr/uhad237
PMID:38156285
Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Molecular Mechanisms of Herbal Bioactive Compounds for Sickness Behaviour Alotaibi GH, Shivanandappa TB, Chinnadhurai M, Reddy Dachani S, Dabeer Ahmad M, Abdullah Aldaajanii K Metabolites 02-Dec-2022
PMCID:PMC9782141
doi:10.3390/metabo12121215
PMID:36557252
Eight new phenolic acids from the leaves of Illicium dunnianum and their osteoprotective activities Li HB, Ma SJ, Shan YX, Li T, Wang ZZ, Xiao W, Qiu ZC, Yu Y RSC Adv 04-Aug-2022
PMCID:PMC9350676
doi:10.1039/d2ra03589h
PMID:35975056
In vitro antibacterial and cytotoxic effects of Euphorbia grandicornis Blanc chemical constituents Kemboi D, Langat MK, Siwe-Noundou X, Krause RW, Isaacs ML, Tembu VJ BMC Complement Med Ther 25-Mar-2022
PMCID:PMC8957186
doi:10.1186/s12906-022-03571-8
PMID:35337309
Illiciumlignans G–O from the leaves of Illicium dunnianum and their anti-inflammatory activities Ma SJ, Li HB, Li T, Su ZZ, Wang ZZ, Yao XS, Xiao W, Yu Y RSC Adv 15-Sep-2021
PMCID:PMC9041116
doi:10.1039/d1ra03520g
PMID:35479855
Identifying the molecular basis of Jinhong tablets against chronic superficial gastritis via chemical profile identification and symptom-guided network pharmacology analysis Shi D, Liu L, Li H, Pan D, Yao X, Xiao W, Yao X, Yu Y J Pharm Anal 31-Jan-2021
PMCID:PMC9073317
doi:10.1016/j.jpha.2021.01.005
PMID:35573887
Evaluation of Anti-inflammatory Nutraceuticals in LPS-induced Mouse Neuroinflammation Model: An Update Catorce MN, Gevorkian G Curr Neuropharmacol 01-Jul-2020
PMCID:PMC7457421
doi:10.2174/1570159X18666200114125628
PMID:31934839
Traditional Chinese Medicine in Depression Treatment: From Molecules to Systems Li C, Huang J, Cheng YC, Zhang YW Front Pharmacol 07-May-2020
PMCID:PMC7221138
doi:10.3389/fphar.2020.00586
PMID:32457610
Two New Sesquineolignans from the Bark of Illicium dunnianum. Isao KOUNO, Takuya MORISAKI, Yumiko HARA, Chun-Shu YANG Pharmaceutical Society of Japan 08-Dec-2011
doi:10.1248/CPB.39.2606
New pseudoanisatin-like sesquiterpene lactones from the bark of Illicium dunnianum Isao Kouno, Nobusuke Kawano, Chun-Shu Yang Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) 26-Apr-2004
doi:10.1039/P19880001537
Phytochemistry of Illicium dunnianum and the systematic position of the illiciaceae Lai-King Sy, Richard M.K. Saunders, Geoffrey D. Brown Elsevier BV 01-May-2003
doi:10.1016/S0031-9422(96)00675-9
A sesquiterpene class from Illicium dunnianum Lai-King Sy, Geoffrey D. Brown Elsevier BV 23-Apr-2003
doi:10.1016/S0031-9422(97)00553-0
Pseudoanisatin-like sesquiterpene lactones from the pericarps of Illicium dunnianum H. Jianmei, Y. Chunshu Elsevier BV 23-Apr-2003
doi:10.1016/0031-9422(95)00903-5

Phytochemical Profile Top

Add a new one!
Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
You can also contribute to this by clicking here.
Name PubChem ID Canonical SMILES MW Found in Proof
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Benzoic acid esters
(3,4,6-Trihydroxy-4,5,11-trimethyl-9-oxo-8-oxatricyclo[5.3.2.01,6]dodecan-5-yl)methyl benzoate 74007462 Click to see CC1CC2C3(C1(CC(C(C3(C)COC(=O)C4=CC=CC=C4)(C)O)O)CC(=O)O2)O 404.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00903-5
(5,12,13-Trihydroxy-2,6,13-trimethyl-9-oxo-8-oxatricyclo[4.4.3.01,5]tridecan-4-yl) benzoate 163019312 Click to see CC1CC(C2(C13CC(C(C2(COC(=O)C3)C)(C)O)O)O)OC(=O)C4=CC=CC=C4 404.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00903-5
(5,13-Dihydroxy-2,6,13-trimethyl-9,12-dioxo-8-oxatricyclo[4.4.3.01,5]tridecan-4-yl) benzoate 73208252 Click to see 402.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00903-5
[(1R,2R,4R,5R,6R,12R,13R)-5,12,13-trihydroxy-2,6,13-trimethyl-9-oxo-8-oxatricyclo[4.4.3.01,5]tridecan-4-yl] benzoate 163019314 Click to see 404.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00903-5
[(1R,2R,4S,5R,6S,13R)-5,13-dihydroxy-2,6,13-trimethyl-9,12-dioxo-8-oxatricyclo[4.4.3.01,5]tridecan-4-yl] benzoate 10501276 Click to see 402.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00903-5
[(1R,3R,4R,5R,6R,7S,11R)-3,4,6-trihydroxy-4,5,11-trimethyl-9-oxo-8-oxatricyclo[5.3.2.01,6]dodecan-5-yl]methyl benzoate 10597351 Click to see 404.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1039/P19880001537
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Biphenyls and derivatives
5,5'-Di-2-propenyl-3-methoxy-[1,1'-biphenyl]-2,2'-diol 14282780 Click to see COC1=CC(=CC(=C1O)C2=C(C=CC(=C2)CC=C)O)CC=C 296.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(96)00675-9
Dehydrodieugenol 165225 Click to see 326.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(96)00675-9
Magnolol 72300 Click to see C=CCC1=CC(=C(C=C1)O)C2=C(C=CC(=C2)CC=C)O 266.30 unknown https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.39.2606
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(96)00675-9
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Diphenylethers
Isodunnianol 15714606 Click to see 398.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.39.2606
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(96)00675-9
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Methoxybenzenes / Dimethoxybenzenes
Methyleugenol 7127 Click to see COC1=C(C=C(C=C1)CC=C)OC 178.23 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(96)00675-9
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Terphenyls / M-terphenyls
Dunnianol 15714605 Click to see 398.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.39.2606
> Benzenoids / Phenol ethers
Dictagymnin 85845705 Click to see 202.29 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(96)00675-9
> Benzenoids / Phenol ethers / Anisoles
Benzene, 2-methoxy-1-[(3-methyl-2-butenyl)oxy]-4-(2-propenyl)- 9991549 Click to see CC(=CCOC1=C(C=C(C=C1)CC=C)OC)C 232.32 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(96)00675-9
> Benzenoids / Phenols / Methoxyphenols
4-Allyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenol 226486 Click to see 194.23 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(96)00675-9
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Iridoids and derivatives
2a,5-Ethano-2aH-cyclobuta[b]cyclopenta[c]pyran-2,10(1H)-dione, hexahydro-5a-hydroxy-5,8,9-trimethyl- 495552 Click to see 264.32 unknown https://doi.org/10.1039/P19880001537
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids / Abscisic acids and derivatives
(-)-Phaseic acid 5281527 Click to see 280.32 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)00166-0
5-(8-Hydroxy-1,5-dimethyl-3-oxo-6-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-8-yl)-3-methylpenta-2,4-dienoic acid 539246 Click to see CC(=CC(=O)O)C=CC1(C2(CC(=O)CC1(OC2)C)C)O 280.32 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)00166-0
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids
(Z,6R)-6-[(1S,4R,5R,8S,9S,12S,13R)-13-(3-methoxy-3-oxopropyl)-4,8-dimethyl-12-prop-1-en-2-yl-5-tetracyclo[7.5.0.01,13.04,8]tetradecanyl]-2-methylhept-2-enoic acid 162966585 Click to see 484.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(96)00675-9
6-[13-(3-Methoxy-3-oxopropyl)-4,8-dimethyl-12-prop-1-en-2-yl-5-tetracyclo[7.5.0.01,13.04,8]tetradecanyl]-2-methylhept-2-enoic acid 73812706 Click to see 484.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(96)00675-9
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Cycloartanols and derivatives
(E,6R)-6-[(1S,3R,6R,8R,11S,12S,15R,16R)-6-hydroxy-7,7,12,16-tetramethyl-15-pentacyclo[9.7.0.0^{1,3.0^{3,8.0^{12,16]octadecanyl]-2-methylhept-2-enoic acid 72726483 Click to see 456.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(96)00675-9
2-Methyl-6-(7,7,12,16-tetramethyl-6-oxo-15-pentacyclo[9.7.0.01,3.03,8.012,16]octadecanyl)hept-2-enoic acid 72726484 Click to see 454.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(96)00675-9
Mangiferolic Acid 45270099 Click to see CC(CCC=C(C)C(=O)O)C1CCC2(C1(CCC34C2CCC5C3(C4)CCC(C5(C)C)O)C)C 456.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(96)00675-9
Schisandrolic acid 102066685 Click to see CC(CCC=C(C)C(=O)O)C1CCC2(C1(CCC34C2CCC5C3(C4)CCC(C5(C)C)O)C)C 456.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(96)00675-9
Schisandronic acid 101277401 Click to see 454.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(96)00675-9
> Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids
(4S)-4-[(1S,2S)-1-methyl-2-prop-1-en-2-ylcyclobutyl]cyclohexene-1-carboxylic acid 163038656 Click to see 234.33 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)00553-0
4-(1-Methyl-2-prop-1-en-2-ylcyclobutyl)cyclohexene-1-carboxylic acid 72663081 Click to see 234.33 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)00553-0
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Benzodioxoles
(1R,2S)-1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)propane-1,2-diol 163048410 Click to see 196.20 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(96)00675-9
Isosafrole glycol 6454417 Click to see CC(C(C1=CC2=C(C=C1)OCO2)O)O 196.20 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(96)00675-9
Safrole 5144 Click to see 162.18 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(96)00675-9
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Coumarans
(4aR,9bR)-3-(2-hydroxy-5-prop-2-enylphenyl)-4a,8-bis(prop-2-enyl)-1,9b-dihydrodibenzofuran-2-one 163021897 Click to see 398.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(96)00675-9
3-(2-Hydroxy-5-prop-2-enylphenyl)-4a,8-bis(prop-2-enyl)-1,9b-dihydrodibenzofuran-2-one 163021896 Click to see C=CCC1=CC2=C(C=C1)OC3(C2CC(=O)C(=C3)C4=C(C=CC(=C4)CC=C)O)CC=C 398.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(96)00675-9
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Lactones
(1R,2R,4S,5R,6S,13R)-4,5,13-trihydroxy-2,6,13-trimethyl-8-oxatricyclo[4.4.3.01,5]tridecane-9,12-dione 14807806 Click to see 298.33 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00903-5
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)00166-0
(1R,2R,4S,5R,6S,13S)-4,5-dihydroxy-2,6,13-trimethyl-8-oxatricyclo[4.4.3.01,5]tridecane-9,12-dione 14168250 Click to see CC1CC(C2(C13CC(=O)C(C2(COC(=O)C3)C)C)O)O 282.33 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)00166-0
https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00903-5
(1S,2S,4R,5S,6R,13R)-4,5-dihydroxy-2,6,13-trimethyl-8-oxatricyclo[4.4.3.01,5]tridecane-9,12-dione 163001266 Click to see 282.33 unknown https://doi.org/10.1039/P19880001537
4,5,13-Trihydroxy-2,6,13-trimethyl-8-oxatricyclo[4.4.3.01,5]tridecane-9,12-dione 3894139 Click to see 298.33 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)00166-0
https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00903-5
6-Deoxypseudoanisatin 3081646 Click to see CC1CC(C2(C13CC(=O)C(C2(COC(=O)C3)C)C)O)O 282.33 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00903-5
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)00166-0
Pseudoanisatin 44566790 Click to see 298.33 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)00166-0
https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(95)00903-5
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Lactones / Delta valerolactones
(1R,2S,4R,9R,11S,12R,13R)-2,11,12-trihydroxy-13-(hydroxymethyl)-12,13-dimethyl-6,14-dioxatetracyclo[9.2.1.01,9.04,9]tetradecan-7-one 101938442 Click to see 314.33 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)00166-0
2,11,12-Trihydroxy-13-(hydroxymethyl)-12,13-dimethyl-6,14-dioxatetracyclo[9.2.1.01,9.04,9]tetradecan-7-one 162941281 Click to see 314.33 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)00166-0
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Tetrahydrofurans
(1S,2S,4S,5S,6R,7S)-4-hydroxy-2,6,7-trimethyl-13-oxatetracyclo[4.3.3.12,5.01,5]tridecane-8,11-dione 163193658 Click to see CC1C(=O)CC23CC(=O)CC1(C24C(CC3(O4)C)O)C 264.32 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)00166-0
4-Hydroxy-2,6,7-trimethyl-13-oxatetracyclo[4.3.3.12,5.01,5]tridecane-8,11-dione 163040947 Click to see CC1C(=O)CC23CC(=O)CC1(C24C(CC3(O4)C)O)C 264.32 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)00166-0
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamyl alcohols
(Z)-3-[3-methoxy-4-(3-methylbut-2-enoxy)phenyl]prop-2-en-1-ol 92016082 Click to see 248.32 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(96)00675-9
3-{3-Methoxy-4-[(3-methylbut-2-en-1-yl)oxy]phenyl}prop-2-en-1-ol 71348275 Click to see CC(=CCOC1=C(C=C(C=C1)C=CCO)OC)C 248.32 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(96)00675-9

Gallery Top

We don't have an image yet. Upload an image!

Contributors Top

No known contributors. Be the first!

Collections Top

In private collections 0
In public collections 0
You need to be authenticated in order to add this taxon to a personal collection.