Bencao Gangmu Reference Library
小茴香 / 茴香 / 蘹香 — Foeniculum vulgare Mill.
Pinyin: Xiǎohuíxiāng / Huíxiāng · Malay: Jintan Manis / Adas · Family: Apiaceae (伞形科)
Energetics
Warm (温)
Flavor
Pungent, sweet, intensely aromatic (辛、大香)
Meridians
Liver (肝), Kidney (肾), Spleen (脾), Stomach (胃)
Traditional Edict
Warms Liver and Kidneys to stop pain, regulates Qi, harmonizes Stomach. Sovereign herb for cold hernia pain (Shan Qi / 疝气), testicular cold colic, dysmenorrhea, and stomach cold.
Cautions & Contraindications
- Do not boil excessively (volatilizes anethole). Contraindicated in Yin deficiency with heat signs (crimson tongue) and active inflammatory bowel fever.
Clinical Applications
- Infant colic, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), primary dysmenorrhea, gastrointestinal flatulence, and lower abdominal cold pain.
Quality Markers
Mechanism & Phytochemistry
1. trans-Anethole and fenchone inhibit voltage-gated calcium channels in visceral smooth muscle, resolving intestinal and uterine spasms. 2. Upregulates bile and gastric juice secretion. 3. Phytoestrogenic anethole polymers modulate pelvic vascular tone.
Preparation & Dosage
Raw seeds for Liver-cold hernia pain: 3-6 g. Salt-Fried Seeds (Yan Xiao Hui Xiang - stir-fried with 2% saline) to guide warming energy into Kidney channel. Decoct 10-15 min.
Appended Prescriptions
- 1. Nuan Gan Jian (暖肝煎) with Cinnamomum cassia (Rou Gui), Lindera, and Angelica sinensis for testicular hernia cold-pain. 2. Infant Anti-Colic Water with Cuminum cyminum (Jintan Putih).
Yemama Apothecary · Petaling Jaya, Malaysia · For educational and clinical reference only