Illicium verum Hook. f. (Illiciaceae) is an aromatic evergreen tree bearing purple-red flowers and anise-scented star-shaped fruit. It grows almost exclusively in southern China and Vietnam. Its fruit (star anise) is an important traditional Chinese medicine as well as a commonly used spice.Traditionally, the essential oil of star anise is used topically for rheumatism and as an antiseptic. As a famous spice, star anise was first introduced into Europe in the seventeenth century, and gets its distinctive licorice taste from a chemical compound called anethole. Modern pharmacology studies demonstrated that its crude extracts and active compounds possess wide pharmacological actions, especially in antimicrobial, antioxidant, insecticidal, analgesic, sedative and convulsive activities. In addition, it is the major source of shikimic acid, a primary ingredient in the antiflu drug (Tamiflu). The essential oil is extracted from leaves of Illicium verum plant collected in Tra Linh district, Cao Bang province by steam distillation method. The essential oil was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. And then, itwas tested on antimicrobial activity. It inhibited to Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureu,Escherichia coli. At the first time, the chemical composition of Illicium verum in Tra Linh district, Cao Bang province has been studied.