Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) from the Apiaceae (formerly Umbelliferae)
family, is native to the Mediterranean, but commonly found throughout North
America, New Zealand, Australia and Tasmania.
Dating back to Greek and Roman writings, fennel has been used
extensively throughout history for both its medicinal and culinary benefits;
particularly for abdominal cramping, digestive complaints, dyspepsia and to
stimulate lactation in nursing mothers.
Fennel is commonly known as Bari-sanuf, bitter fennel, carosella, common
fennel, finnichio, Florence fennel, Foeniculi antheroleum,
garden fennel, large fennel, sweet fennel, wild fennel, and xiao hui
xiang. Although fennel has been used
throughout history for its medicinal value, it is commonly used across America
as a culinary condiment. Fennel is best
in soups, Asian dishes and salads; the leaves, seeds, oil and stalk are used. When processed for the medicinal properties,
a fluid extract, infusion of the leaves and seeds, syrup and tinctures are
made.
Currently, the essential oil of
fennel is being studied for its antibiotic properties. Fennel was studied for its antibacterial
properties against Escherichia coli,
Bacillus megaterium and 27 phytopathogenic bacterial species and two
mycopathogenic species. It was found
that F. vulgare var. vulgare essential oils may be useful
natural bactericides against species commonly found in organic
agriculture. The antibacterial activity
of the essential oils against the bacterial pathogens of mushrooms is another
promising opportunity (Cantore, Iacobellis, De Marco, Capasso, & Senatore,
2004, p. 7862–7866).
A Google search of “Fennel Essential
Oil” found 768,000 results ranging from the history and use dating back to
ancient Egyptians to the health benefits commonly known to Aromatherapists
today. Essential oils can be purchased
from distributors, health food markets and online, where the pricing ranged
from $2.69 to $17 each (Google, 2014).
References
Cantore, P. L.,
Iacobellis, N. S., De Marco, A., Capasso, F., &
Senatore, F. (2004, November 23). Antibacterial Activity of Coriandrum
sativum L. and Foeniculum vulgare Miller Var. vulgare (Miller) Essential Oils -
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (ACS Publications).
Retrieved July 16, 2014, from
http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf0493122
Google. (2014). Google.
Retrieved July 17, 2014, from
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=fennel+essential+oil
