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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]