Xiaohuixiang (Fennel Fruit) xiǎo huí xiāng · 小茴香

Safety. As a culinary spice it is uneventful for most people. The cautions that matter: fennel contains estragole, which has caused tumours in high-dose animal studies, and that is a reason not to take concentrated fennel essential oil regularly, and not to give it to young children. Anyone allergic to other members of the carrot family (celery, carrot, parsley, coriander) can react to fennel too. Buyers should also know that similar English names cover different plants: fennel is not anise and not star anise, and the cumin sold as zi ran is a different fruit again. Warm and drying, it is classically avoided where there is heat or depleted Yin with heat signs. Safety in pregnancy is not established at medicinal amounts. No amount is given here.