Fennel Essential Oil, Bitter, USA

Name        Fennel Essential Oil, Bitter, USA

Category  Essential Oils

Species    Foeniculum vulgare Miller, ssp. piperitum, fam.

                Apiaceae (Umbelliferae)

Part          Seed

Method     Steam Distillation

Country    USA

Code        FoeVul3

Fennel Essential Oil, Bitter, USA

Fennel Essential Oil, Bitter, USA, (Foeniculum vulgare), medicinal properties come from the various components of the essential oil of Fennel, which are Alpha Pinene, Anisic Aldehyde, Cineole, Fenchone, Limonene, Myrcene, Methyl Chavicol and Trans Anethole.  

Action:  Fennel stimulates estrogen production, facilitates birthing, increase lactation, promotes digestion, reduces indigestion, supports the heart and respiratory system, expels worms, is stimulation to the circulatory and respiratory systems.  Fennel essential oil is antiseptic, antispamodic, and analgesic.

Traditional Uses:  Fennel oil beleived to ward off evil spirits and to protect against spells cast by witches durning medieval times.  Sprigs were hung over doors to fend off evil spirits.  For hundereds of years, fennel seeds have been used as a digestive aid and to balance menstrual cycles.  Recently Fennel has been used in mouthwashes and toothpastes.

Indications:  Cystitis, sluggish digestion, fluid retention, gout, intestinal parasites, intestinal spasms, nausea, menopause and premenopause problems.

Other Uses:  Fennel essential oil may be used for indigestion, stimulating the cardiovascular and respiratory system, for constipation, digestion, balancing hormones, supporting pancreatic function, and PMS.  Fennel oil may break up fluids and toxins, and cleanse the tissues.

Application:  Apply topically diluted with a vegetable or massage oil.

Safety Data:  If pregnant or under a doctor's care, consult your physician.

NOTE:  Use caution if epilepic.

Companion Oils:  Basil, Geranium, Lavender, Lemon, Rosemary CT cineol, and Sandalwood.  

Fennel Essential Oil, Bitter, USA, is also known as Common Fennel Oil.  Fennel essential oil is obtained by steam distillation of the dried seeds.  Yields range from just above 2 percent to nearly 7 percent.  Chemically Fennel oil is quite similar to Sweet Fennel Oil with high anethole content, up to 60 percent.  However Fennel bitter has a spicier less sweet aroma.  Analysis of USA Bitter Fennel reveals minor components like GERMACRENE-D, methyl chaviol, camphor, and even trace amounts of menthol (probably due to wild in the fields).  The resulting aroma is grassy-herbal and muldly sweet.