Plant Profile: Fennel

Fennel
(Foeniculum vulgare)

Family: APIACEAE 

Energetics: Warming. Drying.

Taste: Sweet 

Tissue States: 

Parts Used: Seeds 

Systems affected: Gastrointestinal. Respiratory 

Key Components: Volatile oils (up to 6% including Anethol & Fenchone.). Fixed (fatty) oils (up to 10%). Tocopherols. Flavonoids. Coumarin. Silica. 

Preparations & dosage: Infusion: Crush the seeds before infusing. Tincture: Syrup: Herbal oil: Essential oil: 

Actions:

Foundational: Aromatic. Stimulant.
Primary: Carminative. Diuretic. Expectorant. Galacatogoue.
Secondary: antispasmodic. 

Uses: 

One of the best choices for digestive issues due to its sweet & aromatic qualities. Safe for children and adults. Carminative actions help relieve bloating, gas & intestinal pain. Effective antacid that neutralizes acid in the stomach & intestines. Stimulates sluggish digestion, regulates appetite & relieves flatulence. Also makes it a good choice for colic. Use in formulas with strong laxatives to prevent griping.  Can use in infusion, tincture, herbal oil or essential oil (1-2 drops rubbed circularly over belly). 

Said to help in reducing excessive appetite and weight gain. 

Thins mucous & aids in the secretion of healthy fluids. Even been known to help expel mucous in stubborn cases of bronchitis.

Clears uric acid from joints helping to reduce inflammation & pain from arthritis. 

As soothing to respiratory tract as it is to digestive. Helpful for a dry cough or a tickle that went go away (tea, tincture, syrup). Known to increase & enrich milk flow/supply in nursing mothers. 

Said to stop hiccups. 

Helps relieve pain in the urinary tract and break up stones in the kidneys.

In pregnancy it can help alleviate morning sickness. 

Wash of warm fennel tea that has been strained VERY well is effective in treating eye inflammation & conjunctivitis.

 It’s sweet licorice like flavor makes it a good choice to blend with lest tasty herbs to improve the taste. 

Indications:  

Essential Oil: 

Flower Essence: Provides support for clarity in leaving the past behind & moving on. 

Growing: Grows in moist, well-drained soil in zones 4-9. 

Collection: Harvest the seeds in the fall then they're ripe and split. 

Contraindications: Can stimulate uterus so should not be taken during pregnancy. 

Sources:

The Way of Herbs: Michael Tierra: Pg 76-77

The Complete Herbs Sourcebook: David Hoffman. Pg 255

The Earthwise Herbal: Volume 1: Matthew Wood. Pg 257-259

The Herbal Apothecary: JJ. Pursell. Pg 102-103