Herb Of The Week - Fennel

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Latin (botanical) name: Foeniculum vulgare

 

Common names: Fenkel, Sweet Fennel, Wild Fennel

 

Plant Description: Fennel is a hardy perennial which grows wild in most

temperate areas in Europe, and indigenous to the shores of the

Mediterranean. It is also cultivated in India, China, France, Russia,

Persia, and Egypt for the medicinal use of its fruits, commonly called

seeds. Fennel prefers to grow on bare ground in coastal areas. An

umbelliferous herb, Fennel is a beautiful plant with thick, perennial

root-stock, stout, erect and cylindrical stems that bright green and

smooth as polished glass. The stems are vertically-grooved and branched

and smell of aniseed when crushed. Fennel has feathery leaves, and the

bright yellow flowers, blooming from July to September, occur in four to

30 simple umbels in a compound umbel. The fruits are ovoid-oblong and

ridged. The plant grows to 4-5 feet or more in height.

 

Medicinal Properties & Uses: Fennel is a digestive soother. It is one of

the safest and easiest digestive remedies. It calms an acidic stomach,

the discomfort of acid reflux, and irritable bowel syndrome. It is used

in the treatment of mild, spasmodic gastrointestinal complaints such as

flatulence and indigestion, bloating and heartburn in adults, colic in

infants, and people with sensitive stomachs. Fennel seed is used to

alleviate gas pains and the discomfort from overeating, or from eating

of rich, spicy, or heavy foods. Both the seeds and the root are appetite

stimulants and sooth the digestion. The volatile oil has both

carminative and spasmolytic actions, and has been shown to increase

liver regeneration experimentally. Fennel also assists in settling upset

stomachs caused by stress or anxiety. It is a useful remedy for upper

respiratory catarrh and has a calming effect on bronchitis and coughs.

It is also diuretic, and is used to treat urinary calculi. Fennel is

also a well-known folk remedy that can help first-time mothers increase

their milk production. Externally, the oil relieves muscular and

rheumatic pains, and the infusion may be used as a compress to treat

conjunctivitis and blepharitis. The seeds have a traditional reputation

as an aid to weight loss and longevity.

 

Dosage: 30-60 drops in water or juice, 2-3 times daily, or as needed.

Shake well before using.

 

Cautions & Interactions: Keep out of reach of children.

 

Efficacy Studies & Other Clinical Data:

 

* HerbMed - Clinical Trials on

<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?db=m & form=6 & Dopt=r &

uid=7336706> Fennel Seed

 

 

Helpful Links:

 

 

* Culinary Cafe -

<http://www.culinarycafe.com/Spices_Herbs/Fennel_Seed.html> Fennel Seed

 

* <http://www.gnc.com/health_notes/Herb/Fennel.htm> Fennel Health

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