Fennel
Fennel, also known as Xiaohuai Xiang, is also called Xiangsi CAI, Xiao Fennel, fennel seeds, Gu Xiang, and Hun Xiang. Its tender leaves are used as vegetables and are the stems of fennel. It is the dried mature fruit of fennel, a plant of the Apiaceae family. It was first recorded in the Tang Dynasty Materia Medica. Su Song said, “People in the north call it fennel, and when the sound is similar, it is called huai Xiang.” Tao Jing said: “When cooking stinky meat, add a little bit and there will be no foul smell. Even if stinky sauce is added to the powder, it will be fragrant. Therefore, it is called fennel.” Li Shizhen said, “The colloquial people often carry the lapel and chew, fearing that they might carry the name of fragrance.” This might be the reason. The fruit is used as a spice and also for medicinal purposes. The roots, leaves and the whole plant can all be used as medicine.
Chinese name: Fennel Oil
Alternative names: Huaixiang, Xiangsi CAI, Fennel
Family and genus: Aniseed, Apiaceae
Appearance: Colorless to yellow transparent liquid
Aroma: A mild spicy fragrance and a slightly bitter burnt note
Preparation: Steam distillation method
Extraction part: Fennel fruit
Main components: anisole, trans-anisole, anisole, carnelene, pinene, et
Fields and Applications
Food
Due to its unique aroma, it is widely used in meat processing (such as sausages, cured meats), baked goods (bread, biscuits), pickled products, sauces (such as curry, chili sauce), etc. It can endow food with a rich aroma and mask off-flavors (such as the fishy smell of meat). Its antibacterial components (such as vanilla) have inhibitory effects on some bacteria and fungi and can be used as natural preservatives to extend the shelf life of food (such as for the preservation of fruits and vegetables or the preservation of sauces).
Daily chemicals
It is used to make perfumes, soaps, body washes, toothpaste, mouthwashes, etc. Its warm and pungent fragrance can endow the products with a unique scent. Its scent has a repellent effect on some insects (such as mosquitoes and moths), and can be used to make natural insect repellents and moth repellents (such as wardrobe moth repellent sachets).
Daily usage
Aromatherapy
Add 100-150ml of water to the aroma diffuser, drop 2-3 drops of fennel oil, or add 2 drops on the diffuser stone, and release the fragrance slowly.
Massage
Take 10ml of base oil (such as olive oil or sweet almond oil), add 2-3 drops of fennel oil, mix well, and gently massage the abdomen in a clockwise direction.
Pest control
In summer, spray a small amount of diluted solution (100 ml of water +2 drops of oil) on the windowsill and at the door to help repel mosquitoes (the effect is relatively mild and needs to be resprayed regularly).
Post time: Jul-31-2025