Essential Oil Database

Photo: Foeniculum Vulgare

Sweet Fennel

Essential Oil

Botanical Name:

Foeniculum Vulgare

Family Name:

Apiaceae

Source Country:

France

Plant Parts Used:

Seed

Extraction Method:

Steam distillation

Major Constituents:

Anethole, anisic acid, camphene, limonene, phellandrene, pinene, anisic aldehyde, chavicol

Botanical Description

Photo: Foeniculum Vulgare

Foeniculum Vulgare is native to Europe, and is cultivated worldwide. It is a perennial herb commonly known as Fennel growing up to 2 meters tall. Fennel leaves are finely dissected, and the tiny yellow flowers are produced in a terminal umbel. The fruit is a seed from which the essential oil is extracted.

Fennel has traditionally been used as a flavouring in many national cuisines, where all parts of the plant are used including the bulb, foliage, seed and pollen.

Photo: Foeniculum Vulgare

Fragrance

Sweet Fennel essential oil has a sweet liquorice like scent.

Sweet Fennel essential oil is a clear to pale yellow liquid.

Sweet Fennel blends well with black pepper, clary sage, cypress, geranium, grapefruit, lavender, lemon, rose, rosemary, sage, sandalwood, star anise and ylang ylang.

Traditional Therapeutic Uses

Photo: Foeniculum Vulgare

Properties: analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, antiseptic, antispasmodic, aperitif, carminative, digestive, diuretic, expectorant, laxative, stimulant, tonic.

Aids: digestion, hormonal balance.

Alleviates: asthma, colic, constipation, dyspepsia, flatulence, hiccups, nausea, rheumatism.

Safety Data

Avoid use if pregnant.

Avoid if suffering from epilepsy.

Use very moderately and half the normal therapeutic guidelines.

Disclaimer:

All healing uses, magical uses and metaphysical definitions are provided as a means of education, do not imply a guarantee of effect, and may not be complete or accurate. Those suffering from illness should consult with their General Practitioner in the first instance. Aromatherapy is a holistic complementary healthcare practice and should be carried out by a suitably qualified aromatherapy practitioner.

Pure, medical grade, essential oils & absolutes are for use in aromatherapy and other disciplines of natural healing; and for their fragrance. Essential oils should not be ingested, and avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes. Pregnant women should not self administer essential oils. Do not administer essential oils to babies. Do not apply undiluted essential oil to the skin and wash hands after use and before visiting lavatory. Do not use essential oils while in a sauna, steam room, or other humid environment; or while engaged in strenuous exercise.

Massage oil should consist of no more than 3% essential oil(s) to 97% carrier or fixed oil. Absolutes should be blended with no less than 98.5% carrier oil. When adding essential oil to bath water do not use more than 4 drops.

Store essential oils at low room temperature, in a dark place, out of the reach of children, pets and away from foodstuffs.