Fennel
Folk names: Shatapushpa ( Hindi) Xiao Hue Xiang ( Mandarin)
| Family | Umbelliferae/Apiaceae |
|---|---|
| Genus | Foeniculum |
| Species | vulgare |
| Part(s) used | Arial parts , seeds and Bulb |
Anti-emetic, Anti-inflammatory,Antimicrobial, Antifungal, Antispasmodic, Aromatic, Carminative, Diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, galactagogue, hepatric, laxative,orexigenic, Stimulant, Stomachic. (what these mean)
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.
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.