Fennel

Foeniculum vulgare

Family: Apiaceae (or Umbelliferae)

Related genera: Aegopodium, Aethusa, Anethum, Angelica, Anthriscus, Apium, Athamanta, Carum, Conium, Coriandrum, Cuminum, Daucus, Ferula, Myrrhis, Levisticum, Pastinaca, Petroselinum, Pimpinella

Names and Myth: In Greek the herb is mentioned as marathon (μάραθον), which gave name to the place Marathon - literally 'place of Fennel'. The Latin word for the plant was ferula, which is now used as the genus name of a related plant, namely the Giant Fennel, Ferula communis. The Ferula features in Greek mythology: Prometheus used the stalk of a fennel plant to steal the Fire from the gods. (Note the connection with Lucifer and Adramelech.) Also, it was from the giant fennel, Ferula communis, that the Bacchanalian wands of the god Dionysus and his followers were said to have come.

The word fennel developed from the Middle English fenel or fenyl. This came from the Old English fenol or finol, which in turn came from the Latin feniculum or foeniculum, the diminutive of fenum or faenum, meaning "hay". As Old English finule it is one of the nine plants invoked in the pagan Anglo-Saxon Nine Herbs Charm, recorded in the 10th century.

In German also called Köppernickel, which referrs to a number of spicy herbs in the umbelliferae family.

In Sorcery and Folklore: The Hittites used fennel (ZÁ.AḪ.LI or marašanha) to curse the destroyed cities of their enemies. Roman soldiers chewed the seeds before battle to strengthen confidence and courage. Fennel features in medieval protection and fertility spells, e.g. it was used in washes on the farmer's plough and as a strewing herb in the home and barn in order purify, to keep out 'evil' and facilitate fruitfulness. The seeds placed in keyholes were believed to keep out ghosts. Fennel is a traditional Midsummer herb.

In Cooking and Beverages: Commonly used in cooking is a cultivar, the Florence fennel, which has a mild anise-like flavour, but is more aromatic and sweeter. Used are the bulb, foliage and sseds. An expensive spice, spice of the angels, consists of pure fennel pollen. Fennel is also used as a flavouring in some natural toothpastes and Mukhwas, a colorful Indian after-meal snack, which is used as a digestive aid and also refreshes the breath. Further, fennel is one of the three main herbs used in the preparation of absinthe.

Medicinal: Fennel syrup is used against chronic coughs. Fennel tea helps relax the stomach and reduces bloating. Fennel is also diuretic and might be a treatment in hypertension. In India fennel seeds are eaten raw as they are said to improve eyesight. Ancient Romans regarded fennel as the herb of sight. Root extracts were often used in tonics to clear cloudy eyes. Extracts of fennel seed have been shown in animal studies to have a potential use in the treatment of glaucoma.

Fennel contains anethole and is a source of phytoestrogens, which promote growth of breast tissue. Though it does not promote lactation, an old superstition hods that fennel was a galactagogue.

Fennel repells fleas, e.g. powdered fennel drove away fleas from kennels and stables.

In Literature:

Above the lowly plants it towers,
The Fennel with its yellow flowers,
And in an earlier age than ours
Was gifted with the wondrous powers--
Lost vision to restore.
It gave men strength and fearless mood,
And gladiators fierce and rude
Mingled it with their daily food:
And he who battled and subdued
A wreath of Fennel wore.
- Longfellow

(1) Ophelia.

There's Fennel for you and Columbines.

- Hamlet, act iv, sc 5 (189).

(2) Falstaff.

And a' plays at quoits well, and eats conger and Fennel.

- 2nd Henry IV, act ii, sc. 4 (266).

Sowing and Growing: Raise inside containers, starting early in February or March. Sow the seeds flat on seeding compost and cover loosely with soil. Water regularly but make sure the containers don’t get soppy. To increase temperature place the sowing pots in a greenhouse or under plastic foil, which you air out daily. Germination temperature: 20°C. Germination period: 2-3 weeks.

Separate young fennel plants when they have grown about one hand’s width and plant them out in May respective after the last night frosts. (Covering with foil or vleece is recommended during the first weeks until the Ice Saints have passed.) Choose a warm place in full sun, ideally a raised bed or alongside vineyards. The soil should be be rich in nutrients, loose and humid. It is important the ground is deep and well-drained as fennel does not tollerate waterlogging. If on the other hand the ground turns too dry at one time the fennel bulbs may burst and become inedible. Fennel grows up to 2 m tall, so plant at least 30 cm apart. Fertilize scarcely, using just a little compost soil. In the bed fennel is best combined with lettuce. Make sure to remove any weeds.

Fennel is a bienniel to perennial, native to Mediterranean regions and not hardy. Full-grown fennel plants withstand temperatures up to –3°C for short periods, but will not survive if left outdoors during the winter.

Fennel flowers

Sources: Wikipedia English, Wikipedia German, The Plantlore of Shakespeare, Christian Rätsch, Enzyklopädie der psychoaktiven Pflanzen

Fotos © Teufelskunst/Wiebke Rost