Fennel (foeniculum vulgare)

Table of Contents

Other names

fennel
fennel seed

Synopsis

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is a flavorful, aromatic herb in the Apiaceae (carrot) family, native to the Mediterranean region and widely used in culinary, herbal, and medicinal traditions around the world. It features feathery leaves, yellow flowers, and a bulbous base, with all parts—seeds, leaves, and bulb—used for their carminative, antispasmodic, estrogenic, and digestive-supporting properties. Fennel is especially noted for its ability to relieve gas, bloating, and cramps, making it a go-to herb for both adults and children.

Fennel contains:

  • Volatile oils (anethole, fenchone, estragole) – stimulate digestion and reduce intestinal spasms
  • Flavonoids and coumarins – provide antioxidant and mild anti-inflammatory effects
  • Phytoestrogens – plant compounds that modulate hormone activity
  • Vitamins C, A, and B-complex, plus calcium, iron, and potassium

Health benefits and medicinal uses:

  • Relieves bloating, flatulence, and indigestion
  • Eases intestinal cramps and spasms (including in IBS)
  • Stimulates appetite and digestive secretions
  • Soothes infant colic (commonly used as a tea for nursing mothers or babies)
  • Supports respiratory health by loosening mucus in coughs and congestion
  • Acts as a mild estrogenic herb, supporting menstrual regularity and reducing PMS symptoms
  • Freshens breath and improves oral hygiene (chewing seeds)

Fennel is used as:

  • Tea (from seeds) – for digestion, cramps, and lactation support
  • Tincture or extract – in digestive formulas
  • Whole seed or powder – in spice blends or digestive chew mixes
  • Fresh bulb – as a vegetable in cooking or juicing

Historical Use:
Fennel has been revered since antiquity. In Ancient Egypt, it was used for digestion and as a medicinal herb for women’s health. The Greeks and Romans associated it with strength and clarity, and used it for weight loss, eyesight, and stomach complaints. In Ayurveda, fennel (known as saunf) is a classic pitta-balancing herb, used to cool inflammation, sweeten the breath, and stimulate agni (digestive fire).

In traditional European folk medicine, fennel was also employed to increase breast milk production, treat menstrual discomfort, and ward off evil spirits.

Today, fennel remains a staple in digestive herbal formulas, lactation teas, and culinary traditions, offering a gentle yet powerful remedy for gastrointestinal and hormonal support, along with a sweet, aromatic profile that makes it both therapeutic and enjoyable to consume.

Uses: Health Conditions

Abdominal Pain (Traditional)
Acid Indigestion (Traditional)
Afterbirth Pain (Traditional)
Belching (Traditional)
Celiac Disease (Traditional)
Cellulite (Traditional)
Colic (adults) (Traditional)
Colic (children) (Traditional)
Colon (atonic) (Traditional)
Colon (spastic) (Traditional)
Constipation (adults) (Traditional)
Constipation (children) (Traditional)
Dysmenorrhea (Traditional)
Dyspepsia (Traditional)
Gas and Bloating (Traditional)
Indigestion (Traditional)
Nursing (Traditional)

Body Systems

Digestive System (Traditional)
Gastrointestinal Tract (Traditional)
Intestinal System (Traditional)
Large Intestines (Colon) (Traditional)
Reproductive System (Traditional)
Respiratory System (Traditional)