Description

Fennel’s core functions and effects include warming the middle jiao (spleen and stomach), dispelling cold, regulating qi and stomach, and promoting digestion. It’s a common spice in the kitchen for removing fishy smells and adding aroma, and also a food-medicine homology ingredient in Traditional Chinese Medicine used to regulate spleen and stomach deficiency and relieve abdominal pain and bloating.

1. Warming the Middle Jiao and Dispelling Cold, Relieving Cold-Related Pain: Fennel is warm in nature and can dispel cold from the body, making it especially suitable for people with cold stomach and abdominal pain, cold pain in the epigastrium and abdomen, and those who prefer warmth and pressure. If symptoms such as cold stomach pain, vomiting clear fluid, and diarrhea occur due to exposure to cold or consumption of cold foods, fennel can be boiled in water and drunk to help warm the middle jiao and relieve discomfort. For women, its warming and meridian-clearing effect can also help relieve dysmenorrhea and dark menstrual blood with clots caused by cold stagnation in the uterus.

2. Regulating Qi and Stomach, Improving Indigestion: Fennel can regulate the qi of the stomach and intestines, relieving symptoms of qi stagnation such as abdominal distension, belching, and loss of appetite. Its volatile oil components, such as anethole, can stimulate the secretion of digestive juices, enhance gastrointestinal motility, help break down fats and proteins, and alleviate indigestion and bloating. Adding a small amount of fennel seeds when stewing meat or cooking porridge can remove the fishy smell, enhance the aroma, and aid digestion.

3. Removing Fishy Smells and Enhancing Aroma, Improving Dishes’ Flavor: As a seasoning, fennel seeds are an important member of five-spice powder and spice packets, especially adept at neutralizing the gamey smell of beef and mutton, making the aroma of dishes richer and more complex. It and star anise are often referred to as the “spice duo,” and the combination of the two is even more effective.