Claudia Keel
EarthFlower.org | ArborVitaeNY.com
F ENNEL 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 N ames &
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 U sed:
Seed, (leaves and root bulb for food) In
Fennel
seed
this
virtue
you
will
finde,
H arvest: Foorth
the
lower
parts
to
drive
the
winde.
Of
Fennel
virtues
foure
the
doe
recite
Mature green seed in late summer,
First
is
hath
the
power
some
poysons
to
expel,
Botany & Cultivation: Next
,
burning
Agues
it
will
put
to
flight,
Perennial. full sun; well drained soil; attracts butterflies. In The
stomack
it
doth
cleanse,
and
comfort
well:
wine production, “good fennel years are thought to presage And
fourthly,
it
keep
and
cleanse
the
sight.
good vintages” 2 And
thus
the
seed
and
hearbe
doth
both
excel.
M edicine Preparation: -‐The
School
of
Salernum
Tea: infusion
Tincture fresh or dried 30% - 50% alcohol
Powder, syrup, electuary, oxymel, infused oil and essential oil
M ajor 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 U ses
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:
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 M edicine - Outline of H erbal U ses & Indications :
Tissue State:
Atrophy, Wind (warming to cold states)
Taste:
Bitter, Sweet, Pungent Aromatic Post Digestive Taste Ayurveda) Sweet, Pungent
Energetic Q ualities :
Warming, Drying, Sweet, Acrid, Slightly oily, Diffusive
Actions:
Carminative, galactagogue antispasmodic, diaphoretic, digestive, antispasmodic, diuretic, expectorant,
bronchodilator, antitussive, emmenagogue.
Wise
Water
–
3
Seed
tea
Tongue & Body Indications:
This
simple
formula
aids
in
digestion,
and
particularly
Tongue: Dry, Withered good
to
follow
a
meal
with.
It
is
a
gentle
tonic
Doshas: recommended
as
a
daily
drinking
water,
but
also
Tridoshic VPK= (P+ in excess) powerful
support
to
cleansing
protocols.
Ayurveda
tradition
advise
to
drinking
‘Wise
Water’
consistently
Specific Indications: for
3
months
to
help
to
completely
clear
the
system
of
toxins.
℘ Upper G.I. Excess - reduces flatulence and
Boil
1
½
quarts
of
water.
In
a
non-‐plastic,
non-‐
bloating and water retention: Dyspepsia, abdominal
pain Bad Breath It is a wonderful tea to have after a aluminum
thermos,
pot
or
vessel
add
¼
teaspoon
heavy meal (and garlicy meal as it sweetens the each
of
whole
coriander
seeds,
fennel
seeds
and
breath as well!). In India, the seeds are commonly cumin
seeds.
Let
steep
for
at
least
20
minutes
before
available in bowls to chew after a meal. “The drinking.
Drink
through
out
the
day.
familiar fennel seed is an excellent tridoshic remedy Coriander:
Helps
eliminate
toxic
chemical
and
wastes
for the digestion. It improves agni without through
your
kidneys
aggravating pitta and sooth inflammatory gut Cumin:
Helps
one
absorb
and
use
nutrients
conditions (especially when combined with licorice). Fennel:
Helps
reduce
gas
and
bloating
and
normalizes
It also clears ama, regulates apana vata, and can be digestion
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
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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]
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