Fennel
Foeniculum Vulgare
 Bodily Influence: Antacid, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-spasmodic,
Aromatic, Carminative, Diuretic, Emmenagogue, Expectorant,
Galactagogue, Parasiticide, Stimulant, Stomachic, Tonic.
In ancient Greece, the word for fennel was marathon. This name is
based on the Greek victory over the Persians in 470 B.C. at Marathon
which was fought on a field planted with fennel. In Greek mythology,
knowledge came to man as a gift from the gods in the form of a fiery
coal held in a fennel stalk. The ancient Romans chewed fennel
stalks in the belief that it would control obesity. In Medieval
times, fennel was considered a sacred herb used to treat disease.
Fennel was hung from the rafters to bring good luck, and put in
keyholes to keep out ghosts and evil spirits.
In medieval times people kept a stash of fennel seeds handy to
nibble on through long church services and on fast days, the seeds
were considered to be an appetite suppressant, and quieted a
rumbling stomach. Culpeper also wrote, 'all parts of the fennel
plant used in drink or broth to make people lean that are too fat.'
Fennel helps to improve digestion; it quiets hiccups, thus
preventing nausea. Its ability to break up uric acid in the tissues
helps eliminate gout. This same ability to digest and handle protein
digestion and protein waste helps to clear mucus form the liver and
lungs. It also works as an antidote to poisonous mushrooms.
A
decoction of fennel was recommended by Chinese medicine for
abdominal pain, colic, and stomach chills.
Fennel tea helps rid the intestinal tract of mucus. Fennel also
functions as a gall bladder and liver cleanser, due to its abilities
as a tissue cleanser. Fennel is also effective for cancer patients
after radiation and chemotherapy.
Chest rubs are made from the essential oil and combined with
eucalyptus and a neutral oil for upper respiratory congestion.
Decoctions from the roots are prescribed for such urinary problems
as kidney stones or such disorders associated with high uric acid
content as gout.
Fennel is effective in these areas:
Appetite suppressant, Asthma, Bedwetting, Bites (insect), Bronchitis,
Cholesterol (lowers), Colic, Colon Disorders, Conjunctivitis (compress),
Constipation, Convulsions, Coughs, Cramps (abdominal), Digestion (sluggish),
Emphysema, eyewash, food poisoning, Gall Bladder, Gas, Gout,
Hoarseness, Indigestion, Intestinal Problems, Jaundice, Kidney
Stones, Lactation (increases)
Sources:
Little Herb Encyclopedia, by Jack Ritchason; N.D., Woodland Publishing Incorporated, 1995
Nutritional Herbology, by Mark Pedersen, Wendell W. Whitman Company, 1998
Planetary Herbology, Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D., Lotus Press, 1988
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