Foeniculum vulgare,
Apiaceae Family
Aromatic perennial grows up to 1.5m
Harvest the seeds in the Autumn\early Winter. Leaf Spring.\early Summer. Flowers in the Summer.
Known as a Spice. All parts of the plant are edible.
Whole plant including the seed is Green and represents the Heart.
The flowers are Yellow representing Solar Plexus.
Sweet warming nourishing taste.
Volatile Oils: 10-30% Fenchone 6%Anethol, limonene, pinene,
Flavonoids incl rutin, quercetin and sterols.
Key Actions:
Sweet Bitter Aromatic. Carminative, antispasmodic and eases pain. Soothing, diuretic(soothing cleanse&heal to bladder and kidneys), Galactagogue (stimulates milk production),
Anti-inflammatory. Anti microbial.
Anti rheumatic. Expectorant. Anti venomous (snake, dog, scorpions).
Foeniculum is linked to the Latin for Hay, which links with the smell that links to the Coumarins which work as a Tonic to the Venus circulation and has anticoagulant action which helps to prevent blood clots and strokes. Fennel also helps build the blood and and is a Heart Protector.
Traditionally\Folklore
Fennel has been a part of celebratory welcoming rituals for the birth of a child and a new stage for the woman. Often fennel was brought to a new mother to drink and to hang over the crib to keep the flies away.
Dioscorides writes The whole plant was juiced and dropped in the eyes for improved eyesight. Also for any eye infection. Maybe this was inspired by folk observing snakes rubbing their eyes against the Fennel plant to possibly improve eyesight. Also Fennel to help with snake bite.
Dioscorides also writes of applying drops to infected ears and for worms.
Often Fennel seeds found in many recipes for menstrual pains.
Protective energy and was often put in doorways to protect against evil spirits.
Old Chinese remedy for cholera.
Fennel seeds were found amongst the personal belongings of Egyptian rulers excavated from tombs.
Fennel seed is classed as a Superfood also contains: Calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, manganese, copper, Vitamin A (beta carotene), B1, B2 &B3.
Opens up blockages and obstructions in the liver, spleen, gall bladder. Also Kidneys\Bladder.
Digestive. Stimulates digestive enzymes. Indigestion, bloating, pains, Constipation, Flatulence, colic, trapped wind. Reduce bloating after meals. Irritable bowels. Delicate stomachs. Sour stomach. Nausea. Gastritis. Jaundice. Tummy bugs. Colitis. Sweeten the breath. Reduces toxic effects of alcohol. Breaks down fatty foods.
For under and over eaters. Loss of appetite esp where there one has lost taste for food. \also helps the body lose weight.
Helps to clear cold damp conditions anywhere in the body. Includes Polyarthritis.
Antimicrobial- All our culinary spices are! Also helps you manage a Fever.
Fennel has been shown to support the body in fighting off all of the following (this is just a few!)
Aerobacter aerogenes, Bacillus subtiles, Escherichia coli, Listeria, Mycobacterium avian, Proteus vulgaris esp cause UTI’s and Skin wounds. Salmonella enteritis, Staphylococcus albus & aureus.
Any lung condition where the need to clear cold stuck phlegm. Includes bronchitis & asthma. Soothing to harsh irritating chronic coughs. Pharyngitis. Tight chest. Gargle for sore throats.
Eyewash for red eye and blepharitis. Conjunctivitis. Fennel face wash for all ages esp older skin
Fennel is great for UTI’s, cystitis, kidney stones. Bladder pains.
Helps milk production. Great for babies and all ages.
Drinking fennel seed tea will help mum to produce great nourishing milk, and through this milk helps windy colic symptoms in the baby. Helps build the bond between Mother & Child and supports the flow of mutual nourishment. Fennel also good for teething babies.
Oestrogen and Aphrodisiac effect.
Fennel fabulous for premenstrual stuff. Regulate periods.
Also in a Fertility & Menopause.
For thousands of years Fennel seed taken in early pregnancy for nausea, sickness and to ground oneself in this new environment. Nowadays it has been said not to take in pregnancy……
Rich bone building mineral content also helps the gut to absorb needed minerals.
High nutrient content and good ratio of calcium and phytoestrogens Bone protector & Builds Bone.
Calming soothing to the nerves. Deep internal hug. Tonic to the brain. Improves Memory.
Especially good for people who have been frightened in their lives. Those who may not have received love & nourishment. Helps us to nourish and take care of ourselves. Loosens up the tissue including loosening up our fears especially over how we look. Or fears around sensuality.
Graceful Shift. Change with ease. Very supportive when we are going through great changes.
A powerfully Grounding, Nurturing Vibration. Deep Love into our Heart Chakra.
Helps to calm when butterflies in the tum. Helps to reinforce the idea of playfulness.
Balances our physical energy when we are going through dimensional shifts. Sometimes the Light can be so immense that it takes some time to find our new alignment. Fennel supports this.
Seed chew pre & post eating.
Infusion
Leaf Fresh or dried: 3-4 teaspoon per cup boiling hot water.
Adult half-1 cup three times a day (tid).
Baby 2-3 teaspoons tid.
Seed: preferable with a little crush to release the volatile oils.
1-2teaspoons per cup boiling hot water infuse 15 mins.
Adult 3 cup a day Can take 1\2 cup before food.
Babe 2-3 teaspoons tid
Tincture Seed Max. 15ml a day Always start with drop dose. 10-15 drops can be perfect per dose esp for digestive troubles.
Hydrosol 5-20 drops tid
Powdered Seed and leaf. Can be added to a blend for Digestive and Bone health.
Essential oil esp for aches and pains. In the past a few drops applied to feet and then dance to the rhythm of life!
Lotion made using a teaspoon of seeds in 200ml cold water infuse for 1 hour. Strain and use liquid as an eye bath. Can also drop the lotion into the eyes.
Fennel Cider Vinegar. Also can add to your Fire Cider blend.
Other foodie ways with Fennel: Seeds sprinkled over salad and many other dishes. Including bean dishes! Young shoots and roots steamed, sauté as a vegetable. Flavour soups and fish dishes.
200yr old recipe: Fennel soup with wine, sugar, ginger and almonds..
A note on the bulb that we buy in shop. It is in fact a false bulb three swollen leaves overlapping. It is still Foeniculum vulgare but different varieties specifically grown for these thicker basal leaves.
Usually either Foeniculum vulgare azoricum or
Finocchio\ Florence Fennel: Foeniculum vulgare Dulce- also known as Sweet Fennel- not as medicinal as Foeniculum vulgare.