Herb library

Fennel

Foeniculum vulgare

Fennel, Foeniculum vulgare, is a sweet, anise-scented herb long kept in kitchen gardens. It is a friendly household remedy for digestion, mild coughs, and as a gentle galactagogue when used as a warm tea or steam.

Traditionally used for.

• •Traditionally used as a carminative and digestive aid after rich meals, helping to ease bloating and gas.
• •Traditionally used as a mild expectorant and throat soother for coughs and chest congestion, often in steam inhalations or warm teas.
• •A long-standing household use is to offer warm fennel tea to nursing parents as a soothing drink that may support milk flow.
• •Traditionally used to freshen breath and settle an unsettled stomach in children and adults.

Simple preparations.

• •Fennel tea: crush 1 teaspoon of crushed fennel seed per cup of boiling water, steep covered for 10 minutes, strain, drink up to three cups a day after meals or as needed for digestion.
• •Fennel steam: simmer 2 tablespoons of crushed fennel seed in a pot of water for 10 minutes, remove from heat, lean over the pot with a towel tented over your head and inhale the steam for 5 to 10 minutes to loosen chest congestion.
• •Fennel syrup or honey infusion: gently warm 1 cup of honey (not for children under one year) with 1 tablespoon of crushed fennel seed for 10 minutes, cool, strain and use a spoonful as a throat soother or mix into tea.

Cautions.

• !Fennel can act like a mild estrogenic plant, so people with hormone-sensitive conditions should use it cautiously and check with their doctor.
• !Essential oil and concentrated fennel preparations can be irritating and should be avoided internally and around the face; use only culinary seeds or mild infusions.
• !Allergic reactions are possible in people sensitive to plants in the carrot or celery family; stop use if rash or breathing difficulty occurs.
• !If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition, check with your doctor before using fennel regularly.

Often kept beside.