Fennel / Foeniculum vulgare

Family:

Umbelliferae/Apiaceae

Genus:

Foeniculum

Species:

vulgare

Folk / Common Names:

Shatapushpa ( Hindi) Xiao Hue Xiang ( Mandarin)

Actions:

Anti-emetic, Anti-inflammatory,Antimicrobial, Antifungal, Antispasmodic, Aromatic, Carminative, Diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, galactagogue, hepatric, laxative,orexigenic, Stimulant, Stomachic.

Part(s) Used:

Arial parts , seeds and Bulb

Constituents:

Psoralen, Volatile oil up to 8 % consisting mainly of Anethole ( approx 80 % in sweet fennel), also fenchomn.Contains sugar alcohols, nucleosides, glucides.Flavonoids - mainly rutin, quercetin, Kempferol glycosides.Coumarins( bergapten, imperatorin, xanthotoxuin, sessalin and marmesin) Terpene and hemiterpene glycosides such as foeniculo-icavisideisopentyl glycoside and erythroanethole glycosides.Other minor ingredients including limonene, myrcene, ocimene, apiole and polymers of anethole, dianethole and photoanethole.

Uses:

It balances all the doshas so can be used by everyone. Used to clear gas from the intestines,while stimulating digestion and the appetite. It also chelates heavy metals It can be used in cough syrups and for bronchitis. It is used as a base for liquors and aperitifs. For nursing mothers it is ideal as it stimulates milk flow and reduces colic in babies. It is a delightful addition to salads and a great herb to use as a flavouring in stocks for soups and broths.

Majikal Uses:

Grown around the home for protection. Hung up in windows and doors to ward off negative energies and seeds are carried for the same purpose.

Notes:

NB. contains a compound which is a MAO - A inhibitor therefore should not be used by anyone taking SSRI's or antidepressants.

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