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FENNEL Foeniculum Vulgare. "Above the lower plants it towers, the Fennel with its yellow flowers. And in an earlier age than ours was gifted with wondrous powers.

Lost vision to restore.” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ’The Goblet of Fire’

Common Names & Marathron (ancient Greece), Fenouile, aneth doux aneth fenouilr & anis vert (France) Finnchio (Italy), krop (Russia) hui-hsang (China) Shatapushpa, Madhurika, Mishreya, Sanuf, Bari-Sanuf (India/ Ayurveda) Shammar, Razianaj (Arabic) Devil-in-a-bush & Love –in-the-midst (cultivated species) Etymology: Foeniculum is a Roman name, from the Latin word foenum, 'little hay' and was corrupted to Fanculum in the Middle Ages, the source of the common name 'Fenkel'  

Plant Family: Umbelliferae /Apiaceae, (Parsley family)

Parts Used: Seed, (leaves and root bulb for food)

Harvest: Mature green seed in late summer,

Botany & Cultivation: Perennial. full sun; well drained soil; attracts butterflies. In wine production, “good fennel years are thought to presage good vintages” 2

Medicine Preparation: Tea: infusion Tincture fresh or dried 30% - 50% alcohol Powder, syrup, electuary, oxymel, infused oil and essential oil

 

Major Constituents : Volatile oils (anethole, estragole, fenchone), coumarins (rutin, isoquercitrin, quercitin kaempferol), psoralens, Flavonoids, 10% fixed oil, phenolic acids plus protein, starch, cellulose and mineral elements. bitter compounds: Saponins;. Coumarins [anethole, 50-60%, and fenchone, 10%. limonene, phellandrene, anisic acid, camphene, anisaldehyde, myrcene, ocimene, apiole, pinene and other organic compounds]    

Cultural Traditions and Uses Fennel is one of the world’s most ancient medicinal herbs, and cultivated for medicine and food even when if grows wild. It holds a primary place in the materia medicas of Ancient Egyptians, Chinese, Indian (Ayurveda), Greek, Arabic and European medicine traditions. According to Greek mythology, fennel seeds are highly nutritious which not only safeguard your body against health ailments but also it increases one’s courage to great extent. Fennel is sacred to Artemis and Aphrodite and used as a garlanding herb by participants in the ancient attic mysteries. Anglo-Saxons regarded fennel as an important and anti demonic herb and included in the famous nine herb charm:

In  Fennel  seed  this  virtue  you  will    finde,  Foorth  the  lower  parts  to  drive  the  winde.  Of  Fennel  virtues  foure  the  doe  recite  

First  is  hath  the  power  some  poysons  to  expel,  Next  ,  burning  Agues  it  will  put  to  flight,  

The  stomack  it  doth  cleanse,  and  comfort  well:  And  fourthly,  it  keep  and  cleanse  the  sight.  

And  thus  the  seed  and  hearbe  doth  both  excel.  -­‐The  School  of  Salernum  

 

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2  “Thyme and Fennel, a pair of great power

The wise Lord, holy in heaven, wrought these herbs while He hung on the cross.

He placed them and put them in the even worlds to aid all, poor and rich.” In Middle Ages, fennel was used with Saint John’s wort to protect from witch craft, demons and dwarves. And hung together over door over doors and stables on midsummer Eve to avert evil

Discordes and Pliny wrote of it Charlemagne ordered its cultivation. Both Gerard and Hildegarde Von Bingen recommended it in their writings, as did Culpeper and materia medica world wide. According to popular myth, women with cravings for fennel during pregnancy will give birth to a son (Though fennel in large amounts is contraindicated) ” 2

Fennel as Medicine - Outline of Herbal Uses & Indications: Tissue State:

Atrophy, Wind (warming to cold states) Taste:

Bitter, Sweet, Pungent Aromatic Post Digestive Taste Ayurveda) Sweet, Pungent Energetic Qualities :

Warming, Drying, Sweet, Acrid, Slightly oily, Diffusive Actions:

Carminative, galactagogue antispasmodic, diaphoretic, digestive, antispasmodic, diuretic, expectorant, bronchodilator, antitussive, emmenagogue.

Tongue & Body Indications:

Tongue: Dry, Withered Doshas:

Tridoshic VPK= (P+ in excess) ��� Specific Indications: ℘ Upper G.I. Excess - reduces flatulence and

bloating and water retention: Dyspepsia, abdominal pain Bad Breath It is a wonderful tea to have after a heavy meal (and garlicy meal as it sweetens the breath as well!). In India, the seeds are commonly available in bowls to chew after a meal. “The familiar fennel seed is an excellent tridoshic remedy for the digestion. It improves agni without aggravating pitta and sooth inflammatory gut conditions (especially when combined with licorice). It also clears ama, regulates apana vata, and can be used to relieve indigestion, colic and cramps.” 1

℘ Poor appetite and digestion well tolerated digestive carminative for weak and sensitive digestions. Warms and increases appetite.

℘ Digestive ailments: vomiting, pain, dysentery, colic, hemorrhoids nausea, vomiting, inguinal hernias, dysuria,

℘ Poisonings: traditionally administered to dry out poison from snakes scorpions mad dogs & harmful herbs ℘ Vermifuge: helps get rid of intestinal worms as well as ear worms ℘ Skin healing & restorative: boils, skin diseases, good for sensitive skin and Rosacea; it decreases redness

and irritation and can help minimize sensitivity caused by sun exposure. A mask of fennel tea and honey

Wise  Water  –  3    Seed  tea  This  simple  formula  aids  in  digestion,  and  particularly  

good  to  follow  a  meal  with.  It  is  a  gentle  tonic  recommended  as  a  daily  drinking  water,  but  also  powerful  support  to  cleansing  protocols.  Ayurveda  

tradition  advise  to  drinking  ‘Wise  Water’  consistently  for  3  months  to  help  to  completely  clear  the  system  of  

toxins.  Boil  1  ½  quarts  of  water.  In  a  non-­‐plastic,  non-­‐aluminum  thermos,  pot  or  vessel  add  ¼  teaspoon  each  of  whole  coriander  seeds,  fennel  seeds  and  cumin  seeds.  Let  steep  for  at  least  20  minutes  before  drinking.  Drink  through  out  the  day.  Coriander:  Helps  eliminate  toxic  chemical  and  wastes  through  your  kidneys  Cumin:  Helps  one  absorb  and  use  nutrients  Fennel:  Helps  reduce  gas  and  bloating  and  normalizes  digestion    

 

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3  can reduce wrinkles and hydrate dry skin. (Prepare as a cream or Soak ½ teaspoon of fennel seeds in 1 cup water, to spritz your face and neck to cool your skin.)

℘ Respiratory ailments relieves congestions expectorant ℘ Increases breast milk – Galactagogue (can combine in a tea with

fenugreek, anis, dill, lady’s mantle ); but also eases inflamed and engorged breast as in mastitis

℘ Childbirth: it was taken to expel excess water after childbirth ℘ Improve memory & brain function: Epilepsy (This use is

corroborated by modern research but large doses will produce epileptic symptoms); Migraine.

℘ Respiratory ailments: Cough, Hoarsness, Congestion, fevers, catarrh, asthma, coughs Shortness of breath. Bronchitis.

℘ Menstrual pain Cramps emmenagogue and muscle tension/cramps ℘ Eye /visual problems: noted general strengthener of eyesight; conjunctivitis (eyewashes) ℘ Excess appetite (eating the seeds before meals helps to control appetite) Weight gain. Water retention ℘ mental fatigue, nervous tension, muscle tension/cramps Spasms ℘ Oral Health: sweetens the breath and added to tooth paste/powders, mouthwashes and lozenges ℘ Kidneys: cystitis, edema, ℘ Cancer: anti-oxidant capabilities which are very helpful to fight dangerous carcinogenic diseases at early

stages without making it severe for later stages ℘ Reduces Hair loss & Damage: delivers strength to the hair from its

roots and prevents hair from breakage. Fennel seeds also treat the shedding of hair strands.

Contraindications & Cautions: ℘ As it is a uterine stimulant, avoid high doses of fennel in pregnancy.

Small amounts in food is all right ℘ Fennel essential oil can cause respiratory problems, vomiting, skin

irritation, and seizures at very low quantities. While fennel seed tea is a indicated for increasing breast milk Fennel essential oil should be avoided during breast feeding

℘ Caution in gastro-esophageal reflux and hypotension

Fennel as Flower Essence Fennel Foenecium vulgare [Australian flower of Life Essence] - Clarity to move on and leave the past behind; Acknowledgment of Divinity within the Self and all beings

Wild Fennel [New Zealand New Millenium Essence] - To counteract and remove negativity (all forms: Including animals with fleas, plants with insect pests, negative energy, and etheric parasites and entities)    

Fennel as Essential Oil See supplemental handout Fennel as Food

“The  fennel  is  beyond  every  other  vegetable,  delicious.  It  greatly  resembles  in  appearance  the  largest  size  celery,  perfectly  white,  and  there  is  no  vegetable  equals  it  is  flavour.  It  is  eaten  at  dessert,  crude,  and  with,  or  without  dry  

salt,  indeed  I  preferred  it  to  every  other  vegetable,  or  to  any  fruit.”    -­‐Thomas  Jefferson  

 

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4  Fennel was cultivated also as a seasoning since ancient times, noted for its frequent presence in the menu of Pharaohs and ancient Romans. Fennel is particularly high in Vitamin C and other nutrients

Fennel Bulb Recipe Ideas Fennel risotto Caramelized fennel & onion Fennel coleslaw with walnuts Fennel added to bone broth Braised cabbage with sliced fennel & tart apples & wine vinegar Sautéed fennel, wilted spinach and & feta cheese Roast Fennel wedges & winter squash & other root vegetables Roast chicken or fish on top a layer of sliced fennel and lemons Salad of fennel, celery, radish and arugula with lemon vinaigrette Infuse olive oil or vinegar with fennel fronds

Cough & Sore Throat Syrup � 4 parts fennel seeds � 2 parts slippery elm bark � 2 parts valerian

� 1/2 ginger � 2 parts licorice root � 1 part cinnamon bark � 1/8 orange peel

Make an infusion and prepare in traditional syrups methods      Sources:

1. Anne McIntyre, Dispensing with Tradition Artemis press 2013 2. Nancy Arrowsmith, The Essential Herbal, Llewellyn Publications

2007 [citations forthcoming]