Fennel

What is Fennel? 

A handsome looking aromatic and feathery spray of a herb, Fennel is an ancient digestive remedy. It is also called Sweet Fennel, Wild Fennel and Fenkel. It is a hardy, perennial herb with yellow flowers. Fennel grows fairly wild in most parts of temperate Europe. It is considered indigenous to the shores of the Mediterranean. It grows thick and well in soils rich in Limestone and is found in many places of the United Kingdom. Fennel is a hardy plant and grows quite easily from seeds. In the garden it is very decorative when pruned and kept well.

Fennel is cultivated aggressively for the medicinal use of its fruits and seeds. It was cultivated by the ancient Romans for its aromatic fruits and its fleshy succulent shoots. Pliny had attached no less than twenty two healing properties to the seed. Fennel was so popular in the Medieval Ages that it was combined with other herbs to ward off the evil eye and as a preventative witchcraft. Fennel is highly carminative and is even mentioned in poetry.

Medicainal Use of Fennel 

For medicinal use, the fruits of the cultivated Fennel are used and oil is extracted from them. The Fennel seed has a sweet odor and its taste is warm and agreeable. It has diuretic and anti-bacterial properties. It was used in alternative medicine as a digestive aid because it smoothens and relaxes the digestive muscles. It thus helps get over stomach upsets, colic and flatulence. Ironically, chewing the seeds of the Fennel is also supposed to suppress the appetite and thus help weight loss. It also works on fat deposits in the body and is therefore a famous seasoning in fatty foods.

Fennel is quite an effective expectorant and is gentle enough even to be used by children. It is so gentle that when combined with Dill , it is used in ‘gripe water’ to calm cases of infant colic. Because of its soothing action on the intestines and the colon, it is also used in cases of diarrhea and simple dyspepsia.

The volatile oils in Fennel increase the secretion of digestive enzymes and promote the absorption of food. Its carminative properties help relax muscular spasms in the stomach. It is also taken in case of heartburn, constipation and stomach aches.

Its antibacterial activity that makes Fennel useful against a number of bacterial onslaughts including hookworms. It makes an excellent eyebath in conditions like conjunctivitis and styes. When used as an eye lotion, it is supposed to increase the eyesight and make tired eyes feel fresh.

Fennel is a woman-friendly herb. It was used by the ancient Greeks to boost the production and flow of milk in lactating mothers. When the volatile oils in the milk pass to the baby, it soothes the stomach of the baby too. Fennel also helps relieve pain caused by menstrual cramps and regulates the flow of blood. Because of its slightly anesthetic affect, Fennel oil is diluted and used to massage painful joints. The oil can also be applied locally to relieve earache and toothache.

Fennel, being an effective diuretic, helps flush out toxins from the body through the urine. This helps relieve the symptoms of gout, kidney stones and arthritis.

Fennel has very few side effects, if any. Fennel may cause allergic reactions and dermatitis in some people. Fennel oil may also lead to nausea, vomiting and seizures. Pregnant women are advised to stay away from this herb, as a general precaution.