1. Alias
Fennel, earth fennel, wild fennel.
2. Plant morphology
Perennial herb, completely hairless, with a strong aroma. The stem is upright with shallow longitudinal grooves, and the upper branches are spread out. The leaves have stems, ranging from ovate to broadly triangular in shape, measuring up to 30 centimeters in length and 40 centimeters in width. They divide into 3-4 feather like segments, dark green in color, with the final segments linear to filamentous. The base of the stem petiole is sheath like, while the upper petiole is partially or entirely sheath like. The compound umbel inflorescence grows at the top or side, with a larger inflorescence at the top, up to 15 centimeters in diameter, no bracts or bracteoles, yellow flowers, 5 petals, inverted, tip inward folded, 5 stamens, 1 pistil, and a lower ovary. Double hanging fruit ovate oblong, smooth, laterally flattened, measuring 3.5-6 millimeters in length and 1.5-2.5 millimeters in width. The fruit has 5 raised longitudinal edges, with 1 oil pipe in each groove and 2 joint surfaces.
3. Origin distribution
Originating from Europe, it is commonly cultivated in rural areas throughout China. Inner Mongolia's products have excellent quality and are sold throughout the country.
4. Harvesting and processing
When the autumn fruits are first ripe, harvest the plants, dry them in the sun, sow the fruits, and remove impurities. Salt fennel: Take clean fennel and stir fry over low heat until the surface turns dark yellow and has a burnt aroma. Spray salt water over heat and dry. Alternatively, mix clean fennel with salt water, cover slightly, stir fry in a pot over low heat until slightly yellow, remove and air dry (1.5 kilograms of salt per 50 kilograms of fennel).
5. Characteristics of medicinal herbs
Double hanging fruit is thin cylindrical, sometimes slightly curved, 4-8 millimeters long, 1.5-2.5 millimeters in diameter, with a yellow green or light yellow surface, slightly pointed at both ends, with a yellow brown style residue at the top, sometimes with a small fruit stalk at the base, 0.4-1 centimeters long, divided into elliptical shapes with 5 raised ridges, flat and wide fused surfaces, and slightly pentagonal transverse surfaces. It has a unique aroma and a slightly sweet and spicy taste.
6. Sexual Taste Returning to the Classics
Warm in nature, pungent in taste. Return to the liver meridian, spleen meridian, stomach meridian, and kidney meridian.
7. Effect and Function
Relieve cold and pain, regulate qi and stomach. Belonging to Wenli medicine.
8. Clinical application
Take 3-6 grams of decoction orally to treat cold hernia, abdominal pain, testicular prolapse, dysmenorrhea, oligoabdominal cold pain, abdominal distension, low appetite, vomiting and diarrhea, and testicular hydrocele. Salt fennel warms the kidneys, disperses cold and relieves pain, and is used to treat cold hernia abdominal pain, testicular prolapse, and menstrual cold abdominal pain.
9. Pharmacological research
Promote gastrointestinal peristalsis; Anti ulcer; Choleretic; Relaxing the smooth muscle of the trachea; Sexual hormone like effects; Central nervous system paralysis; Antibacterial; Anti tumor. Decoction can stimulate ex vivo rabbit intestinal contraction and promote in vivo rabbit intestinal peristalsis. Fennel oil and fennel brain both stimulate intestinal tract contraction first, and an increase in concentration leads to spasmolytic effects; Administering drugs orally or through the duodenum to animals can inhibit stress-induced gastric ulcers; Fennel oil can increase liver regeneration in partially resected rats; Propanol extract has hormone like effects; In addition, it also has central inhibitory, anticoagulant and anti fibrinolytic effects.
10. Chemical composition
Containing various compounds such as volatile oils, sterols, triterpenes, coumarins, and amino acids. It also contains trans anethole, limonene, alpha coumarin, camphor, anisaldehyde, fennel ketone, palmitic acid, coumarin, umbelliferone and other ingredients.
11. Usage taboos
Those with heat syndrome and yin deficiency and excessive fire are prohibited from taking it.
12. Compatibility prescription
① Treatment of Cold Hernia Pain: 12g of Chinese toon seeds, 9g of wood fragrance, 6g of fennel, and 3g of Wu Zhu Yu (soup soaked). Boil it in water. (Explanation of Medical Formulas: Dao Qi Tang)
② To treat external kidney swelling: Take 6 grams of fennel (stir fried), scorpion (stir fried), pangolin (roasted), and wood fragrance in equal portions, and mix with alcohol. (Four Saints of the Medical System)
③ To treat stomach pain and abdominal pain: 6 grams each of fennel seeds, ginger, and wuyao root, 9 grams of stir fried fragrant herb, and decoct in water. (Jiangxi Herbal Medicine)
④ To treat lower back pain: 30g fennel (stir fried), 15g tangerine peel (stir fried with bran). Finally, take 9 grams each time and adjust the salt soup. (Pocket Square)
⑤ Treating back pain: 45 grams of Chuanxiong (stir fried with salt), 90 grams of fennel (stir fried), and 60 grams of Atractylodes macrocephala (stir fried with scallion). Wine boiled paste pills. Salt and wine are in charge. (The Three Immortal Pills in the Book of Shenzhai)
⊙ The content of the article is for clinical reference only. Non TCM professionals are not allowed to test drugs.