Fennel for Herb Use

Xiao Hui Xiang (Fennel Fruit) – Fructus Foeniculi

Overview:
Xiao Hui Xiang, commonly known as Fennel Fruit, is the dried ripe fruit of Foeniculum vulgare, a plant native to the Mediterranean but widely cultivated in China and other parts of the world. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it has a pungent, warm nature and enters the liver, kidney, spleen, and stomach meridians. It is especially used to warm the interior, dispel cold, regulate Qi, and relieve pain.

Botanical Description:
Foeniculum vulgare is a perennial herb with feathery leaves and yellow flowers. Its fruit—often called "fennel seed"—is small, oval, and aromatic, with a strong, sweet anise-like fragrance. The fruits are harvested when ripe, then dried for medicinal use.

Traditional Uses in TCM:

1. Warms the Kidneys and Expels Cold:
   Used for cold-related lower abdominal pain, hernial disorders, and testicular pain due to cold stagnation.

2. Regulates Qi and Alleviates Pain:
   Helps ease abdominal distension, epigastric pain, and indigestion caused by cold in the stomach.

3. Harmonizes the Stomach:
   Used to relieve vomiting, nausea, and poor appetite associated with cold conditions in the digestive system.

Pharmacological Properties:
Fennel contains essential oils such as anethole, fenchone, and limonene. Modern research supports its antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, digestive-enhancing, and mild estrogenic effects. It also helps relax gastrointestinal muscles and relieve bloating.

Preparation and Dosage:

• Forms: Often used in decoctions, powders, or herbal sachets.

• Typical Dosage: 3–9 grams per day, usually combined with other warming or Qi-regulating herbs.

Safety Precautions:

• Should not be used in cases of heat or fire due to deficiency.

• Use with caution during pregnancy or in people with hormone-sensitive conditions.

• Best used under the guidance of a qualified TCM practitioner.