The difference between star anise and fennel

There is a big difference between star anise and fennel, because fennel is divided into two types, aniseed and cumin. Aniseed is the raw material of star anise we use, and its fruit can also be used as a spice. Cumin is the seed obtained from star anise, which is completely different and has different medicinal value. They need to be reasonably distinguished when used.

There are two types of fennel: one is big anise, which is the star anise we use as seasoning. Its fruit can also be used as a spice. It is mainly cultivated artificially in Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, Taiwan and other places. Another one is fennel, a vegetable whose fruit is used as a spice and whose stems and leaves are edible organs. Fennel likes cool weather and has strong adaptability. It is mainly cultivated in spring and autumn in northern my country. (Open-field cultivation) Spring sowing: late March to early April, harvest in mid-to-late May. Autumn sowing: July-August, harvest in September. Fennel has a spicy, sweet and warm flavor. It has the effects of regulating qi and strengthening the stomach, dispelling cold and relieving pain. Fennel can be stir-fried, eaten cold, or used to make buns or dumplings. It has a unique fragrance. It's worth a try.

[Medicinal part] It is the fruit of the star anise plant of the Magnoliaceae family.

[Ingredients] Contains volatile oil, the main components of which are trans-anisole, p-propylene phenyl isopentyl ether, etc. Animal experiments show that it has the effect of increasing white blood cells and removing expectorant. The alcohol extract has an antihistamine effect on isolated trachea; in vitro tests have inhibitory effects on various bacteria such as Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli.

【Functions and indications】 Warming Yang, dispelling cold, and regulating Qi. It is used to treat vomiting due to cold, abdominal pain due to cold hernia, low back pain due to kidney deficiency, and dry and wet athlete's foot.

① "Pin Hui Jing Yao": "It cures all colds and hernia pains."

② "Compendium of Materia Medica" says: "It can treat kidney fatigue, hernia, small intestinal cramps, dry and wet beriberi, bladder cold and swelling. It can stimulate appetite, stop vomiting, promote digestion, and replenish deficiency of the life gate. It can treat fistulas and cholera."

③ "Introduction to Medicine": "Specially treats low back pain."

④ "Compendium of Materia Medica": "It can cure tooth and mouth diseases, relieve gas and detoxify."

⑤ "Medical Collection": "It nourishes the kidneys, soothes the liver, relieves yin depression, relaxes muscles, and eliminates beriberi."