Fennel

Botanically it is known as Foeniculum vulgare. It is a tall herb of the carrot family (Umbelliferae) found in southern Europe but also grows in other parts of the world including India. All portions of the shoot are aromatic and can be utilised in various ways. The young leaves and the seeds are used as culinary herb to give flavour to sauces, soups, chowders and other dishes and for flavouring candy and liquors. An oil extracted from the fruit is used in perfumes, soaps and medicines. The thick leafstalks of the finocchio or Florence variety are blanched and used like celery.

Fennel usually grows to a height of few feet and has finely divided leaves and yellow flowers. It is a perennial plant but commonly treated as an annual when grown as a garden herb.

It is a rich source of vitamin C and is very useful in bronchitis, scurvy, rapid pulse, low vitality, tender joints, restlessness, impaired digestion and physical weakness.

It is also very useful in amenorrhoea as it promotes menstrual regularity. The oil from the seed is very useful in removing hookworms. It is rich in all the most valuable elements and vitamins and when mixed with carrot juice is a great aid in night blindness and other eye troubles.

Benefit and uses of Fennel.

• Fennel leaves reveals an excellent quantity of iron (2. 7mg per 100g), high calcium (109mg per 100g) and a very impressive supply of the following vitamins: carotene (4. 7mg per 100g), folic acid (100 micrograms per 100g) and vitamin C (93. 0mg per 100g).
• With carrot juice, fennel is very good for night blindness or optic weakness. These two plus beet juice make a good remedy for anemia especially the son resulting from excessive menstruation.
• Fennel is helpful in colic, protects the liver from toxins, and has a slight pain reducing potential in dysmenorrhea.
• It is beneficial for people suffering from eye- disease, fever, stomachache, vomit, diarrhea.
• If fennel and rock salt crushed in water is applied to that part of the body where honeybees have bitten there is a relief in pain and inflammation.
• Fennel seeds are served with sugar as an after-meal mouth freshener.