Fennel
Latin Name: Foeniculum vulgare
Family: Umbelliferae
Description
"Above the lower plants it towers, the fennel with its yellow flowers; and in an earlier age than ours, was gifted with the wondrous powers lost vision to restore."
-- Longfellow
This plant, when hung above doors with St. John's Wort and other herbs, was used as a preventative of witchcraft and other evil influences in medieval times. It is said that fennel seeds can be used to drive away fleas from kennels and stables, as fleas despise it.
Fennel, Whole Plant
Ailments / Situations Where Used Crushed fennel seed infusion is used to treat gas, indigestion, abdominal pain and spasm of the gastro-intestinal tract. It is typically served in India as an after-dinner digestive aid as the seeds help stimulate and sooth the digestion and appetite.
Fennel is an appropriate remedy for children with colic or digestive weaknesses, when given in smaller doses. The seeds are used alongside bitter or strong laxative herbs to prevent any cramping. It is very soothing and very useful for heartburn and helps clear mucous from the lungs with a calming effect.
The infusion increases milk supply in nursing mothers. The seeds are a good diuretic and can be helpful in gravel and urinary stones. A compress applied over the eyes is used to treat conjunctivitis and inflammation of the eyelids. The oil is used externally on muscle and rheumatic pains and for similar digestive weaknesses.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) fennel is used for lower abdominal pain, indigestion, decreased appetite, vomiting, gas and intestinal spasms. It is used very similarly to the West.
Fennel also has antibacterial and antispasmodic properties.
Source
Seeds
Preparations
Compress: Add several drops tincture or strong infusion to one cup cool water and mix well. Place cloth in water, squeeze out excess water, and apply. Leave the compress in place for up to one hour.
Infusion: Add 1 to 2 tsp. fresh fennel seeds to 1 cup of boiling water. Infuse 10 minutes. Drink up to 3 cups daily.
Tincture: Take 20 to 40 drops, 3 times daily.
You can also chew 1 tsp. of whole fennel seeds.
Contraindications / Precautions / Warnings
As it is a uterine stimulant, avoid high doses of fennel in pregnancy. Small amounts in food is all right.
Fennel essential oil (not the tincture, which is in an alcohol base) can cause respiratory problems, vomiting, skin irritation, and seizures at very low quantities.
Ailment / Situation Listing
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