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Fennel
CautionFenchel · (Foeniculum vulgare)
Carrot family (Apiaceae)
Description
Fennel is a flowering plant species in the carrot family. It is a hardy, perennial herb with yellow flowers and feathery leaves. It is indigenous to the shores of the Mediterranean but has become widely naturalized in many parts of the world, especially on dry soils near the sea coast and on riverbanks.
- TeaFruitInternalTraditional use
Classic digestive tea for mild GI cramps, bloating, fullness.
Preparation & dosage
IMPORTANT — Crush seeds in mortar before infusing. 1.5–2.5 g + 150 ml boiling water, steep 10–15 min covered, strain. 3–4× daily. Max ~7 g/day.
- Dry amount
- 1.5–2.5 g
- Doses per day
- 4×
- Max duration
- 2 weeks
⚠ Age restriction: ≥ 4 years — Per EMA from 4 years. Pure essential oil NOT for infants/toddlers (estragole).
[#src_ema_foeniculi_amari_fructus] [#src_ema_foeniculi_dulcis_fructus]
- TeaFruitInternalTraditional use
Cough tea for productive cold cough.
Preparation & dosage
Crush seeds first. 1.5–2.5 g + 150 ml boiling water, steep 10–15 min. 2–3× daily warm for cold cough.
- Dry amount
- 1.5–2.5 g
- Doses per day
- 3×
- Max duration
- 1 weeks
⚠ Age restriction: ≥ 4 years — From 4 years.
[#src_ema_foeniculi_amari_fructus] [#src_ema_foeniculi_dulcis_fructus]
- TinctureFruitInternalTraditional use
Concentrated application.
Preparation & dosage
Tincture (1:5 in 70% ethanol): 2–5 ml in glass of water 3× daily after meals.
- Liquid amount
- 2–5 ml
- Doses per day
- 3×
- Max duration
- 2 weeks
⚠ Age restriction: ≥ 12 years — Alcoholic tincture from 12 years.
- TeaFruitInternalTraditional use
Sweet child-friendly fennel cough syrup.
Preparation & dosage
FENNEL HONEY for children from 4 years. Pharmacy products easiest. Homemade: 1 tsp crushed seeds + 150 ml water simmer 10 min, strain, mix with 2 tbsp honey (no honey under 1 year!).
- Dry amount
- 0.5–1 g
- Doses per day
- 3×
- Max duration
- 1 weeks
⚠ Age restriction: ≥ 4 years — From 4 years. Honey from 1 year (botulism).
Distribution in Europe
🤝 Permaculture Partners
In your garden, this plant acts as:
⚠️ Better not planted together
- 🥬 Dill Fennel and dill cross-pollinate and compete.
- 🥬 Apium graveolens Classic companion-planting partner.
- 🥬 Capsicum annuum Classic companion-planting partner.
- 🥬 Caraway Classic companion-planting partner.
- 🥬 Coriander Fennel inhibits coriander germination (Apiaceae conflict).
- 🥬 Parsley Classic companion-planting partner.
- 🥬 Tomato Fennel strongly inhibits tomato growth (allelopathic).
- 🥬 Tropaeolum majus Fennel is strongly allelopathic and inhibits nearly all neighbours.
Source: Gertrud Franck, Gesunder Garten durch Mischkultur (1980, eigene Kuration)