Xiao Hui Xiang小茴香
Foeniculi Fructus · Fennel Fruit · Fennel Seed
Overview
Fennel fruit is as familiar in the kitchen as in the pharmacy: acrid, warm and aromatic, it scatters cold from the Liver channel and the lower abdomen, which puts it at the head of the treatment of cold-type hernial and testicular pain and of cold menstrual cramping. It also warms the Stomach and settles the nausea, bloating and poor appetite of middle-burner cold.
Nature & Flavor
Acrid · WarmChannels
Liver · Kidney · Spleen · StomachTypical Dosage
3–6 g in decoctionActions
2 core actions
- Scatters cold, stops painCold-type hernial pain, testicular pain and dragging low abdominal pain; cold menstrual cramping that eases with warmth.
- Regulates qi, harmonizes the StomachCold epigastric pain, nausea, bloating and poor appetite from cold in the middle burner.
In Formulas
Formulas containing Xiao Hui Xiang
Indications & Clinical Uses
- Cold hernial disorder and testicular pain
- Cold, cramping menstrual pain relieved by a hot pack
- Epigastric cold pain, nausea, bloating and poor appetite
Western Medical Keywords
Searchable condition terms
Contraindications
Cautions
Warm and drying: not appropriate for yin deficiency with heat, or where there is clear internal heat with thirst, constipation and a red tongue.
Contraindicated in pregnancy: No specific restriction at culinary amounts — medicinal doses are a matter for practitioner judgment
For licensed practitioners’ reference only
References
- Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
2. 《中华人民共和国药典》.
3. 《中药学》 (national TCM curriculum materia medica).
Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.