Essential oil fennel sweet
Element - Earth
Property - warm
Note - Head to heart
Group - Essential oil
Synonym - bread anise, long caraway
Botanical name - Foeniculum vulgaris var. dulcis
Plant family - Apiaceae (Umbelliferae)
Contents
Botany
Botanical name
Foeniculum vulgaris var. dulcis
Plant family
Apiaceae (Umbelliferae)
Umbellifers, also known as umbelliferae, belong to the order of umbelliferae. The plant family contains around 434 genera and around 3,780 species, which are mainly found in temperate zones. The leaves, fruits and roots of numerous Apiaceae species are used for medicinal purposes, as a spice or vegetable due to their essential oils. The best-known examples from the kitchen are Carrots, parsnips, coriander, caraway, dill, parsley and aniseed.
Origin & distribution
The umbellifer family is found all over the world, with the largest area of distribution in the northern temperate zones. In the tropics, the plants are mainly found in the montane altitudes (around 700 to 2,000 meters). You can best observe Apiaceae around their preferred growing area: in steppes, swamps, forests and meadows.
Origin for the production of the oils
Mediterranean region, Hungary, Bulgaria, Germany, France, Italy, Greece
Plant part used
The ripe seeds and the herb are used to produce sweet fennel essential oil.
Ingredients Fennel sweet essential oil
- Monoterpenes
- Monoterpenols
- Phenyl ester (anethole)
- Aldehydes (anisaldehyde)
- Ketones
- Oxides
- more: Anisic acid
Warnings Fennel sweet essential oil
Essential oil fennel sweet may generally only be used on infants and pregnant women according to a precise recipe.
Caution: Due to its high content, bitter fennel is not suitable for internal use in pregnant women, infants and small children.
Contra-indications: Fennel is not suitable for benign proliferation of the endometrium, prostatic hyperplasia and oestrogen-dependent cancers, anethole-rich essential oils such as fennel and aniseed should not be used by alcoholics. Liver diseases and the use of paracetamol are also contraindications.
Anethole: For use on infants and small children, it must be ensured that the oil is free of anethole and of natural origin. Adulterated or synthetic oils often contain cis-anethole, which is much more toxic than trans-anethole!
Background Fennel sweet essential oil
Sweet fennel essential oil is obtained by steam distillation of the crushed seeds or the herb.
A distinction is made between bitter fennel (wild) and sweet fennel. Sweet fennel oil is also suitable for internal use and is colorless. It usually comes from France, Italy or Germany.
Fennel has a reputation as a remedy. It is said to give longevity, courage and strength, keep away evil spirits, neutralize poisons and strengthen the eyes.
Chinese medicine describes the effect as regulating and balancing the Qi, soothing pain, strengthening the stomach, promoting digestion and dispelling flatulence and is used to treat illnesses caused by excess cold.
Aroma
Grade
Perfumery classifies sweet fennel essential oil as one of the Top notes with transition to Heart note.
Top notes
The top note describes aromas that are perceived immediately after opening the container. The top note conveys the first and often the decisive impression of a fragrance composition. They are often citrusy, green, fresh and Airy fragrances. The volatile fragrance molecules that open the door to the next fragrance phases evaporate very quickly. Already 10 - 15 minutes After application, there is hardly anything left of the top note fragrance.
Heart note
The fragrance of the heart note only appears after the top note has evaporated and lasts for 2-3 hours.
After the top note has faded, around 15 minutes after applying an essential oil to the skin, the heart note follows. Its aromas gradually unfold together with the base notes. However, the heart note determines the character of the fragrance composition. The heart note describes flowery, fruity and herbaceous notes. The middle phase usually lasts two to three hours.
You can find more interesting information on this in the article "→ World of fragrances".
Fragrance
spicy
Mixes well with...
Carrier oils
Possible carrier oils depend on several criteria such as skin type and effect. Below I list some neutral carrier oils that can be used well because they are odorless and generally well tolerated.
You can find a wider selection of carrier oils in the → Aromatrix
Body, mind & soul
In the Body, Mind & Soul section, a possible therapeutic use of essential oils is described. An attempt is made to make both the Western and the Eastern perspective transparent.
The Western approach can be found under Effect and use differentiated according to body and mind & soul. For comparison, the Eastern approach describes the chakras and functional areas.
Western approach
This section is written for the aroma therapy expert:
Effect
BODY
laxative, circulation stimulant, antiparasitic, antiseptic, appetite stimulant, strong aqaretic, sputum stimulant, strong antiflatulent, blood purifier, cardiotonic, chloride remover, anti-inflammatory, bile production stimulant, bile flow stimulant, birth facilitator, antispasmodic, stomach strengthening, menstruation inducing, menstruation regulating, milk flow promoting, lactic, nerve stimulating, estrogen-like, climatic complaints, expectorant, analgesic, nitrogen excretion in urine promoting, digestive, vermifuge
Mind & Soul
relaxing, encouraging, antispasmodic, nerve-strengthening, invigorating
Use
BODY
Loss of appetite, asthma, flatulence, bronchitis, cellulitis, intestinal sluggishness, spasmodic inflammation of the small intestine and colon, loosening and releasing obstetrics, dull skin, oily skin, skin bleeding, skin bruising, climatic complaints, colic, obesity, circulatory problems, air swallowing, stomach pain, menstrual problems, insufficient lactation, kidney inflammation, edema, bruising, rheumatism, hiccups, nausea, indigestion, dyspepsia, gum disease
Mind & Soul
Relaxation
Eastern approach
This section is written for the TCM expert:
Fennel oil focuses the Qi in the center and regulates digestion.
5 elements
Element earth
Fennel essential oil is associated with the element earth.
The element assignment of an essential oil is determined by the →Aroma profile and the direction of action. Fennel essential oil has both yin and yang components. It is attributed to the Center as both inward and outward movements are present in the fragrance.
Chakras
Essential oils without a classification listed here may also have a connection to one or more chakras. As there may not yet be a classification for the oil in question or it is too complex in its properties, it is not suitable for this systematization, as the aim of the systematization is to simplify possible applications.
A detailed explanation can be found in the following article: → Etheric oils & chakras
Functional areas
Qi deficiency
- Strengthens the Qi: Sports training
- Promotes longevity and courage: Normalizes the intention, corrects the intellect, stimulates communication: excessive thinking and analysis, suppressed emotions, addictions
- Corrects the skin: Skin deformities or blemishes
- Reduces bruising: Bruises and sprains
- Fixes eyes and ears: Visual disturbances, clouding, eye inflammation, visual impairment
- tonifies the Qi of the stomach and spleen, dries the dampness in the kidney and spleen: constant cold, abdominal pain that is relieved by eating, nausea, vomiting of clear and acidic liquids, indigestion, loss of appetite, abdominal noises, colic, indigestion, abdominal bloating, belching, flatulence, constipation
- normalizes the lung qi, transforms dampness and opens the chest: Colds and flu, productive cough with thin white mucus, wheezing, bronchial asthma, hoarseness, loss of voice
- disinhibits moisture, expels mucus and dissolves stones: Water retention, obesity, cellulite, frequent and scanty urination, bedwetting, urinary incontinence, urinary sand or stones, anuria
- corrects and normalizes menstruation, stops lactation: Irregular or delayed scanty menstruation with clots, menstrual cramps, amenorrhea, PMS (estrogen deficiency), scanty or curdled breast milk, engorged breasts, breast lumps
- Antidote against poisons: Mushroom, herb, alcohol or drug poisoning
- Eliminates parasites: Intestinal parasites
Main use:
yellow, lethargic, worried, thin
Psycho-emotional representation:
Socially introverted but mentally overactive, exaggerated desire for affection and sympathy. Needy, but intolerant and critical of others.
Sources:
Icon by WEBTECHOPS LLP and Asam Ishaq from Noun Project (CC BY 3.0)
Texts are based on the following publications:
Pocket dictionary of aromatherapy by Dietrich Wabner, Verlag Systemisch Medizin, 2013
Aromatherapy with Chinese Medicine by Dennis Willmont, Willmountain Press, 2003
Applications
Abdominal massage with fennel oil
5 ELEMENTS APPLICATION
Abdominal massage to calm digestion with sweet fennel essential oil.
