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The Complementary Medical Association

Fennel – Essential Oil 

Fennel Essential Oil
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Fennel – Essential Oil

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)

Fennel’s long history of culinary and medicinal use is attested by Greek and Roman records; the former as early as 1400 BC. Pliny (23-79 AD), the Roman author of “The Naturalis Historie”, recorded an observation that serpents ate and rubbed against fennel in order to improve their eyesight after sloughing their skins. Considered a powerful herb, Pliny listed fennel as a treatment for 22 different ailments.

During the Medieval period, fennel was considered an insect repellent and was also used, together with St John’s Wort (Hypericum), to deter witchcraft and ward off evil spirits.

Fennel seed is used extensively in Indian cookery, and it has a similar taste to aniseed.

The word fennel came indirectly into English from the Latin word for ‘hay’, which was cultivated for animal fodder.

Uses include:

Constipation

Flatulence

Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Gum infections

Fluid retention

Catarrhal coughs

Menstrual problems

Menopause

Cautions

Do not use on babies or children under the age of 5 years old.

Do not use if pregnant.

Do not use if epileptic.

Constipation

Encourages peristalsis.  

Directions for use

Bath: Add up to 5 drops of pure essential oil to a bath of water, and lie back and relax.

Massage: Mix 20 ml of carrier oil (sweet almond, grape seed) to 10 drops of pure essential oil and massage into abdominal area in a clockwise direction.

Flatulence

Calms nerves and has a balancing effect on the body.

Directions for use

Bath: Add up to 5 drops of pure essential oil to a bath of water, and lie back and relax.

Massage: Mix 20 ml of carrier oil (sweet almond, grape seed) to 10 drops of pure essential oil and massage into abdominal area in a clockwise direction. 

Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Calms nerves and has a balancing effect. 

Directions for use

Bath: Add up to 5 drops of pure essential oil to a bath of water, and lie back and relax.

Massage: Mix 20 ml of carrier oil (sweet almond, grape seed) to 10 drops of pure essential oil and massage into abdominal area in a clockwise direction.

Gum infections

Look for toothpastes containing this oil or herb.

Directions for use

Mouthwash: Add 1 drop of peppermint oil to a glass of water and swill round mouth. Always spit out solution.

Fluid retention

Acts as a diuretic.

Directions for use

Bath: Add up to 5 drops of pure essential oil to a bath of water, and lie back and relax.

Massage: Mix 20 ml of carrier oil (sweet almond, grape seed) to 10 drops of pure essential oil. 

Catarrhal coughs

Directions for use

Handkerchief: Put a couple of drops of pure essential oil onto a tissue or handkerchief and inhale as and when required.

Massage: Mix 20 ml of carrier oil (sweet almond, grape seed) to 10 drops of pure essential oil.

Oil burners: Sprinkle up to 5 drops of pure essential oil onto water and light the burner. 

Menstrual problems

Regulates periods due to its oestrogen like structure.  

Directions for use

Bath: Add up to 5 drops of pure essential oil to a bath of water, and lie back and relax.

Massage: Mix 20 ml of carrier oil (sweet almond, grape seed) to 10 drops of pure essential oil and massage into abdominal area in a clockwise direction.

Menopause

Regulates fluctuating hormone levels. It also encourages the adrenals to produce oestrogens. 

Directions for use

Bath: Add up to 5 drops of pure essential oil to a bath of water, and lie back and relax.

Massage: Mix 20 ml of carrier oil (sweet almond, grape seed) to 10 drops of pure essential oil and massage into abdominal area in a clockwise direction.

Further Information

Where grown: Fennel belongs to the Umbellifera family and grows in Europe, mainly in the Mediterranean.

Parts used and method of extraction: The oil is obtained from the crushed seeds by steam distillation.  

Colour and smell: Clear with a yellow tinge and with a strong distinctive odour.

Active ingredients: Anethol, fenchone, estragol, camphene, phellandrene.

Properties: Anti-flatulent, anti-spasmodic, mild laxative, bactericidal, carminative. 

Mixes well with: Fennel does not mix well with other oils due to its distinctive smell. 

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