ETYMOLOGY
From the late Latin “fenuc_lum,” variant of “foenic_lum,” which is the diminutive of foenum, which means "hay".

BOTANICAL INFORMATION

Family: Apiaceae

Description:Fennel is a wild perennial herb(cultivated types are annual or biennial) with a large root, cylindrical, tall stems that grow to be one to two meters tall and are widely branched. The leaves, bi
or tri-pinnate have almost filiform segments with a pointed apex and with lower leaves that are petiolate, while the upper ones are more simple and sessile. All have a sheath at the base, are meaty, and totally hairless. The flowers are gathered in large umbrellas in numbers of 15-20, and have a small calyx. The corolla is composed of five yellow, oval petals with a long apex that folds inward toward the center.

Habitat: A native of the gravelly terrain of the Mediterranean region, fennel grows on its own from the sea to the submountainous regions throughout Italy, and can be found located in arid places among rocks and old walls. It’s main dislike is for the intense cold.

Cultivation: Fennel is grown as annual plant during the spring-summer cycle. It is propagated by its seeds and is planted in the early spring in well-drained land and exposed to the South. The seeds, once collected, undergo a subsequent drying period to reduce their moisture level to 13-15%.

Method of Harvest: : Fennel seed are harvested in August-September.

Parts Utilized: Seeds.

ACTIVE CONSTITUENTS: Essential Oils

MODE OF ACTION

Actions:Fennel displays carminative and expectorant activities. It also shows anti-spasmotic activity within the smoothe muscle of the intestinal walls, soothes flatulence, and stimulates lactation.

Precautions:There are no known side effects reported for this plant, therefore it is not necessary to take any special precautions for use at recommended doses. On the contrary, the use of the essence of pure fennel can be used, and is often recommended for, very young children and pregnant women.

COMMON INDICATIONS

As a medicinal herb: Preparations for Foeniculum vulgare are found useful in the treatment of dyspepsia, digestive atonia, flatulence, gaseous colic in children, hypoglycemia and, as an adjuctive in the treatment of bronchitis.

Traditional uses: In folk medicine the Foeniculum vulgare is used as an expectorant (by enhancing secretomotor and secretolytic functions) and as an antiseptic. Traditionally, preparations of Foeniculum
vulgare were used in the treatment of kidney stones when combined with urinary antiseptics such as Uva Ursi.

PREPARATION AND USE

Internal Use: The average recommended daily dose is 5-7 grams. Infusion: 1-3 teaspoons of fennel seeds soaked in 150 ml of boiling water, strain after 5 minutes. Drink 2-4 cups of this hot infusion per day, between meals and whenever desired.

HISTORY AND LEGENDS

During the third century. BC, Hippocrates prescribed fennel as treatment for infant colic.
Four hundred years later, Dioscorides called it an appetite suppressor and recommended
the seeds to promote milk secretion. The Roman naturalist Pliny included fennel in 22 remedies, he had noticed that some snakes will rub against the plant after shedding their skin, and shortly after their eyes would become clear and glassy. Pliny saw this as an indication for fennel in addressing problems of the eye, even blindness.

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