Illicium Anisatum

This magnoliaceous plant is a native of China,

and its fruit furnishes the star anise of commerce. In China,

Japan, and India it is used as a condiment in the preparation of

food, and is chewed to promote digestion, and the native

physicians prescribe it as a carminative. It is the flavoring

ingredient of the preparation _Anisette de Bordeaux_. Its flavor

and odor are due to a volatile oil, which is extracted by

distillation, and sold as oil of anise, which is really a

different article.