|
| |
Fennel (finocchio)
Foeniculum vulgare
This page contains information on fennel and how it is used as a herb in alternative herbal treatments to treat ailments and problems, such as to increase milk in breastfeeding mothers, detoxify the body and in cases of indigestion.
On this page
Please note that we are not advocating that people stop using their normal medication, but would like to make people aware that some alternative therapies can be very effective to help treat problems and create a healthier, younger and more vital you. For more information on our range of products, please click here.
Although we believe in the therapeutic and healing properties of herbs, care must be taken in the use thereof, as they are powerful compounds.
Family |
Apiaceae |
Genus and specie |
Foeniculum vulgare |
Finocchio, carosella and Florence fennel.
Fennel are tall perennial plants that form clumps, with deep roots, hollow stems and glossy, feathery leaves (looks like threads).Tiny, dull, yellow flowers appear in umbels in summer, followed by oval brown seeds.
The leaves, stems, roots, seeds and oil are used for medical and culinary purposes.
Fennel is a sweet, aromatic, diuretic herb that relieves digestive problems, increases lactation, relaxes spasms and reduces inflammation with expectorant, carminative and aromatic properties.
The essential oil is high in phenylpropanoids, and "sweet" fennel oil, extracted from the crushed seeds, differs from "bitter" fennel oil, which is extracted from the crushed seeds and/or the whole herb from the Foeniculum vulgare var. amara plant.
It is the sweet fennel oil that is used in aromatherapy. It contains anethole, fenchon, limonene and a-pinene, while the fruit (seeds) also contains various flavonoids and furanocoumarins.
- Internal use
- It is used as a antispasmodic, diuretic, pain-and fever-reducer and has antimicrobial properties.
- Furthermore it has a mild estrogenic effect and also exhibit a calming effect on the bronchial tubes.
- Fennel relieves the smooth muscle lining of the digestive track and help digestion and relieves indigestion, gas, dyspepsia and colic, as well as reducing intestinal spasms.
- It is used to increase milk flow in breastfeeding mothers.
- It is also used for menstrual problems and to relieve the griping effect of laxatives.
- Juice extracted from the fresh herb or the fruit is used to treat chronic coughs and catarrh of the upper respiratory tract in both children and adults.
- The root is used for urinary disorders.
- Fennel leaves and leaf bases are added to salads and as a garnish and also eaten with fish and snails.
- The seeds are used to flavor breads, biscuits, sausages and stuffing.
- External use
- Fennel is used externally for a mouthwash for gum disease and sore throats. The oil makes a good liniment for applying to the chest for bronchial congestion.
- It can also be used for skin disorders, conjunctivitis and blepharitis of the eye.
- Aromatherapy and essential oil use
- When you are feeling timid and in need of courage and strength, fennel essential oil may do the trick.
- It detoxifies the body and is useful when suffering from a hangover.
- Not only does it act as tonic for the liver, kidneys and spleen, but also helps to reduce cellulite as well as easing constipation and flatulence.
- It has a cleansing and tonic action on the skin and also helps keep wrinkles at bay.
- It has antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, aperitif, carminative, detoxicant, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, insecticide, laxative, stimulant, stomachic and tonic properties.
Pregnant women should not use therapeutic amounts of the herb, nor the essential oil. Women with estrogen dependant cancers, like breast cancer, should avoid it as well.
Epileptics and people with kidney problems must also avoid using fennel essential oil.
To promote the interest and use of herbs and natural complementary health alternatives, we have included information on the following herbs.
Please note - although we discuss a wide variety of herbs, not all of them are used or sold by us.
| |
 |
To view our products, please click here. | | |
|
|
|
 |
|
You are as young as your faith, as old as your fear and as long as your heart receives messages of beauty, cheer,
courage, grandeur, and power - from the earth, from man and from the Infinite - so long will you stay
Ageless. |
|
