Fennel seed Herbal Information
NAME
Fennel seed
LATIN NAME
Foeniculum vulgare
ALSO KNOWN AS
Large fennel, sweet fennel, wild fennel, finocchio, carosella, Florence fennel, Fennel
ORIGIN
Native to Southern Europe and the Mediterranean.
PARTS USED
seeds of the plant
TRADITIONAL HERBAL USES AND MEDICINAL PROPERTIES OF FENNEL
Fennel seed is known to be an excellent digestive. It is good for colic in babies, and stomach cramps of all ages. It normalises appetite so therefore can support weight loss. It can treat flatulence, aids recovery from gout and is a cleanser of the liver, helpful for gentle detoxifying. It increases the flow of urine, is a natural diuretic and kidney tonic.
For women, Fennel seed is helpful when breastfeeding, as it stimulates milk production. It is also good for promoting menstruation, and relieving discomfort of menopause.
It also can cleanse the eyes when used as a douche.
It tastes good so therefore can be invaluable when blending herbs for tea.
RECIPE FOR BABIES GRIPE WATER
1 cup of Fennel tea left to cool
1 teasp of sodium bicarb
1 tablespoon of Agave syrup
mix and shake, give baby 1 teaspoon ful
FOLKLORE AND HISTORY OF FENNEL
Fennel crops up in Greek mythology, when humanity received a fiery coal from Mount Olympus in a fennel bulb. Hippocrates talked about the medicinal powers of fennel to treat infant colic. The Greeks also called fennel " to grow thin" as they believed it contributed to weight loss. The Romans loved fennel and thought it could heal eye problems and blindness. Under the medieval Doctrine of Signatures, where the physical appearance of plants was thought to reveal their medicinal values. It was thought that fennel's yellow flowers were linked to liver's yellow bile. Thus the herb was recommended for jaundice. The Anglo saxons used fennel as a spice and digestive, they also hung fennel above their doors to protect them from hexes. 17th centuary herbalist Nicholas Culpepper prescribed fennel for flatulence, breast milk production, clear eye sight,and "make people lean who hath grown fat."
CONSTITUENTS OF FENNEL
The main active constituents, which includes the terpenoid anethole, are found in the volatile oil. Anethole and other terpenoids may have estrogen-like activity and inhibit spasms in smooth muscles, such as those in the intestinal tract. Recent studies have found fennel to possess diuretic, choleretic (increase in production of bile), pain-reducing, fever-reducing, and anti-microbial actions.
TYPICAL PREPARATIONS AND
SUGGESTED DOSAGE OF FENNEL
Herbal tea
1-2 teasp of fennel Seeds per 1 cup of boiling water up to 3 times a day
Fennel Liquid Extract
Extraction Ratio 1:1
Alcohol Vol. 45%
Herbal tincture
1-3ml up to 3 times a day.
Or as recommended by a herbal practitioner.
PRECAUTIONS
No significant side effects have been found. However people with Estrogen dependant cancer should avoid fennel in large quantities.
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