*Fennel* Planet: Mercury Element: Air/Fire Main magickal uses: confidence, courage, fertility, longevity, love, Midsummer, protection, psychic protection, purification, strength Other magickal uses: Commanding, consecration, divination, energy, gain, meditation, Summer rituals, virility Lore: Fennel was used by the Saxons and by Jewish mystics as an asperger and purifying herb. It also had a history of use by the Greeks, Romans, and Germans, and it followed colonists to the New World. Aoumiel associates it with the God.
Parts used
The leaves, stems, roots, seeds and oil are used for medical and culinary purposes.
Properties
Fennel is a sweet, aromatic, diuretic herb that relieves digestive problems, increases lactation, relaxes spasms and reduces inflammation with expectorant, carminative and aromatic properties.
The essential oil is high in phenylpropanoids, and "sweet" fennel oil, extracted from the crushed seeds, differs from "bitter" fennel oil, which is extracted from the crushed seeds and/or the whole herb from the Foeniculum vulgare var. amara plant.
It is the sweet fennel oil that is used in aromatherapy. It contains anethole, fenchon, limonene and a-pinene, while the fruit (seeds) also contains various flavonoids and furanocoumarins.
Therapeutic uses detoxifies the body
* Internal use
o It is used as a antispasmodic, diuretic, pain-and fever-reducer and has antimicrobial properties.
o Furthermore it has a mild estrogenic effect and also exhibit a calming effect on the bronchial tubes.
o Fennel relieves the smooth muscle lining of the digestive track and help digestion and relieves indigestion, gas, dyspepsia and colic, as well as reducing intestinal spasms.
o It is used to increase milk flow in breastfeeding mothers.
o It is also used for menstrual problems and to relieve the griping effect of laxatives.
o Juice extracted from the fresh herb or the fruit is used to treat chronic coughs and catarrh of the upper respiratory tract in both children and adults.
o The root is used for urinary disorders.
o Fennel leaves and leaf bases are added to salads and as a garnish and also eaten with fish and snails.
o The seeds are used to flavor breads, biscuits, sausages and stuffing.
* External use
o Fennel is used externally for a mouthwash for gum disease and sore throats. The oil makes a good liniment for applying to the chest for bronchial congestion.
o It can also be used for skin disorders, conjunctivitis and blepharitis of the eye.
* Aromatherapy and essential oil use
o When you are feeling timid and in need of courage and strength, fennel essential oil may do the trick.
o It detoxifies the body and is useful when suffering from a hangover.
o Not only does it act as tonic for the liver, kidneys and spleen, but also helps to reduce cellulite as well as easing constipation and flatulence.
o It has a cleansing and tonic action on the skin and also helps keep wrinkles at bay.
o It has antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, aperitif, carminative, detoxicant, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, insecticide, laxative, stimulant, stomachic and tonic properties.