Fennel Essential Oil, Natural

Latin Name: Foeniculum vulgare

General Description: This oil comes from an herb that was very valuable in ancient times. It was once believed that this herb could increase the length of life, ward off evil spirits, strengthen eye sight, and neutralize poisons. It is often used for obesity and can also increase milk production.

Fennel Folklore: Ancients believed Fennel Seed was particularly helpful in eyesight. It was also believed to increase strength. In ancient Greece, it was considered a symbol of success. In more recent history, the Puritans referred to Fennel as the "meeting seed" as it was a favorite practice to chew the seeds during meetings. Today, Fennel Seed is widely used in India as an after-dinner breath freshener and also to help in digestion.

How It's Made: The sweet fennel oil is extracted by steam distillation of the crushed seeds. There is also a type of oil known as bitter fennel oil but it does not have as many uses and is less widely known.

Safety Guidelines: This oil is non-toxic and will not irritate or sensitize the sin. Sweet Fennel should not be used directly on the sin. The oil should first be mixed with a diluting or carrier oil.