A novel and rapid headspace solvent microextraction followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HSME-GC-MS) for the analysis of the volatile compounds of Foeniculum vulgare Mill is described. HSME parameters including extracting solvent, extraction temperature and time, headspace volume and particle size were optimized. As a result, benzyl alcohol was finally used for the extraction at 70 degrees C for 20 min with headspace volume of 12.1 ml and particle size of 120 mesh. Under the determined conditions, the powered samples of Foeniculum vulgare Mill were directly applied for the analysis. A comparison of HSME-GC-MS, solid phase microextraction (SPME)-GC-MS and steam distillation (SD)-GC-MS methods was made and showed that the HSME-GC-MS method was simple, inexpensive and effective and can be used for the analysis of volatile compounds in traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs).