Latin Name
Foeniculum vulgare

General Description
The tiny fruits (seeds) of fennel have been used since ancient times to treat colic and to increase lactation in nursing mothers. Fennel may help digestion by relaxing the stomach and other digestive organs; it may also relieve diarrhea. In addition, it is believed that fennel may have effects upon the body similar to those of estrogen. Because it acts as a mild diuretic, fennel has been used to aid in flushing kidney stones from the body. And it acts as a soothing eyewash.

Target Ailments
Taken internally for:

• Digestive problems, gas and diarrhea.
  
• Insufficient milk in nursing mothers.
  

Applied externally for:

• Muscle pain and rheumatism.
  
• Conjunctivitis.

Preparations
Over the counter:
Available in dry bulk, oil and tinctures.

At home:
To help digestion, fresh fennel fruit is chewed.
Tea: 2 tsp. ground fennel steeped in 1 cup boiling water for 10 minutes. For gas, a cup of the tea consumed half an hour before eating. A weaker dosage used when treating colic in children under age 2.

Special Information

• Do not use fennel if you are pregnant or if you can't use birth-control pills or estrogen supplements.
  
• Do not take fennel if you have a history of alcoholism,hepatitis, liver disease, abnormal blood clotting or estrogen-dependent breast tumors. Animal studies suggest that fennel may exacerbate liver damage.