FENNEL

Foeniculum vulgare: Umbilliferae

PLANET: Mercury

ELEMENT: Air

TASTE: sweet	VIPAKA: pungent
WARMTH: cooling	DOSHAS: V= P= K=

MERIDIANS: spleen, stomach, liver, kidney

ACTIONS: stomachic, carminative, increases peristalsis in bowels and lungs, spasmolytic, expectorant, antiinflammatory, stimulant, galactogogue, rubrefacient.

INDICATIONS: colic and flatulence, irritated cough, insufficient milk, external use for rheumatic and muscular pain, conjunctivitis and blepharitis, nausea after chemo- or radiation therapy

PRECAUTIONS: do not use in pregnancy

CONSTITUENTS: volatile oil (see below), flavonoids including rutin, quercitin, and kaempferol glycosides, coumarins, sterols, fixed oils, sugars

PREPARATION AND USE:
-tincture,
-infuse 1-2 tsp seeds in 1 c boiling water and steep 10 minutes covered. Drink three times daily, before meals for flatulence
-compress for eyes
-use oil in massage oil for aching muscles and joints
-use as a spice in cooking to tone the spleen for types of obesity caused by lack of digestive fire
-added to many purgatives to ease the cramping they can cause
-used in many preparations of "gripe water"
-often added to cough syrups as flavouring and cough suppressant
-crushed seeds are said to drive away fleas

NUTRITIONAL USE: as a sweet flavour in cooking, particularly fish and fruit dishes

USE IN MAGIC: Protection, Healing, Purification
-protects the home when grown in the garden; hung at doors and windows, wards off evil spirits
-purification sachets
-said to prolong life, grant ability to face danger with strength and courage, and to maintain fertility and virility into old age
-aids the stomach in fasting
-in Saxon and Cabalistic magic, used for meditation and knowledge

USE IN PERSONAL GROWTH: -enhances feelings of groundedness and joy -encourages one to play, and to finish projects

"By celebrating my accomplishments, I increase my self-confidence and make that energy of success available to those around me."

THE ESSENTIAL OIL

ACTIONS: spasmolytic, carminative, antiinflammatory, estrogenic, antimicrobial, antiseptic, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, galactagogue, laxative, stimulant, tonic, vermifuge, laxative.

INDICATIONS: bruises, dull oily skin, cellulitis, obesity, edema, rheumatism, asthma, bronchitis, anorexia, colic, constipation, dyspepsia, flatulence, hiccoughs, nausea, amennhorea, insufficient milk

DO NOT USE "BITTER FENNEL"

DOSE: 1-3 drops in 1/8 oz carrier oil

USE IN MAGIC: conveys courage, longevity, and strength, wards off evil spirits, purification