FENNEL SEED ESSENTIAL OIL

Scientific name: Foeniculum vulgare

Family: Apiaceae

Origin: Hungary

Form: steam distilled essential oil

Parts: seed

BEST FOR DRY AND MATURE SKIN

Ingredient Features

antioxidant
antimicrobial
astringent
anti-inflammatory
detoxifyer
restorative

User Benefits

protecting
cleansing
toning
anti-aging
rejuvenative

Aromatherapy

de-stressing
energizing
freeing
stimulating
warming

Function in Products

active

Described as a sweet, floral top-middle note with an herbaceous spicy undertone, essential oil of fennel is energizing, stimulating, warming, and eases fear. It is used widely in perfumes and to scent haircare products. Essential oil of fennel is also often used in toothpastes and mouthwashes.

The seeds of fennel are used for their anti-inflammatory, deep-cleansing, detoxifying, revitalizing, antimicrobial and circulatory stimulant properties. The active constituents of fennel seed include: terpenes, fatty acids, protein, flavonoids, phenolcarboxylic acids and coumarins. Best for normal to dry and mature skin, fennel seed is used in facial steams, cleansers, soaps, anti-wrinkle creams and lotions. It also helps to calm unevenly colored or blotchy skin. A cool fennel seed tea compress is used to reduce puffiness on closed swollen eyes and as a tonic for chapped skin. Fennel is used in salves to heal bruises.

Constituents

The essential oil contains anethole (50 to 80%), limonene (5%), fenchone (5%), estragole (methyl-chavicol), safrole, a-pinene (0.5%), camphene, b-pinene, b-myrcene and p-cymene. The seed also contains fiber and complex carbohydrates.

Traditional Use

Fennel is well known throughout the food industry which utilizes all parts of the plant.

Properties

Analgesic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiseptic, antispasmodic, aperitif, carminative, depurative, digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, galactagogue, laxative, stimulant, stomachic, tonic, vermifuge

Blends Well With

Bergamot, black pepper, cardamom, cypress, dill, fir, geranium, ginger, grapefruit, juniper, lavender, lemon, mandarin, marjoram, niaouli, orange, pine, ravensara, rose, rosemary, sandalwood, tangerine, ylang ylang

Of Interest

The ancient Greeks thought fennel conveyed long life, courage, and strength. Their name for fennel was marathrion from maraino, meaning “to grow thin”. Fennel’s ability to stave off hunger was employed during fasting days in Europe.

Safety Data

Avoid in epilepsy, estrogen dependent cancers, and while pregnant. May cause skin irritation.

fennel: digestive aid, increases metabolism, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, fights uti’s, stimulates circulation and estrogen production, brings strength, courage, and longevity