Family Name: Umbelliferae
Botanical Name(s): Foeniculum Vulgare
Popular Name(s): Large Fennel, Sweet Fennel, Wild Fennel,
Finocchio, Carosella, Florence fennel
Parts Used: Seeds, leaves, roots
Habitat: Native of the Mediterranean region.
Description: Fennel is a tall perennial plant that forms clumps,
with deep roots, hollow stems and glossy, feathery leaves (looks like
threads). Tiny, dull, yellow flowers appear in umbels in summer,
followed by oval brown seeds.
Uses: Fennel water mixed with sodium bicarbonate and syrup,
constitute the domestic 'Gripe Water,' used to correct the flatulence of
infants. Volatile oil of Fennel has these properties in concentration.
Fennel tea, formerly also employed as a carminative, is made by pouring
half a pint of boiling water on a teaspoonful of bruised Fennel seeds.
Syrup prepared from Fennel juice was formerly given for chronic coughs.
