Steam extracted organic Fructus Foeniculi - 5 ml
Fennel fruit, Fennel seed
“small return fragrance”

The strong, rich, anise-like aroma of Xiao Hui Xiang essential oil seems to concentrate across the bridge of the nose and eyes, inward, vibrating deep into the brain. Its pungent heat travels downward through the throat, warming the whole abdomen and back.

Fennel has a wide growing range throughout Europe, North Africa and Asia and in many cultures its fruit has traditionally been valued as a digestive aid. Its light green, feathery foliage and aromatic seeds are used to flavor foods and medicines. Its bright yellow flowers signify its affinity to he earth element. Modern pharmacology has shown that fennel fruit inhibits excess stomach acid and increases peristalsis.

Xiao Hui Xiang and Hu Lu Ba (fenugreek) are a traditional TCM combination for all sorts of bulging disorders. For example, a warm compress of these two oils with Rou Gui might be used for hernia due to cold in the liver channel. The combination may also be considered for low back pain due to cold Kidney deficiency, especially if combined with She Chuang Zi and Du Huo oils. 

Practitioners may find that combining Xiao Hui Xiang with Gan Jiang and Mu Xiang essential oils may be helpful to promote digestion in cases of abdominal pain or digestive disharmonies from cold.

Fennel essential oil is considered to be naturally estrogenic and therefore contraindicated in pregnancy or when there is need to block or reduce estrogen.

Note: middle

Dilution: 4% (a little goes a long way and too much can irritate the skin)

TCM category: Warming the interior

Major chemical components: anethole (72%) (extractor analysis), phenolic ethers 50-90%, ketones (Yuen material medica)