Fennel.Fructus Foeniculi.Foeniculum vulgare Mill.Xiao Hui Xiang.
Article Content:
- .Basic Botanical Info of Fennel.Fructus Foeniculi.
- .What Is It?General Description of Fennel.
- .Description of Fennel Plant(s) and Culture.
- .History,Region of Fennel Origin.
- .Fennel History and Modern Use.
- .Traditional Ethnic Uses of Fennel.
- .Fennel Legends, Myths and Stories.
- .Chemistry and Pharmacology of Fennel.
- .Fennel Medicinal Properties.
- .Common Uses Of Fennel.
- .Healing with Fennel.
- .Fennel Formulas or Dosages,safety.
- .Research Update:Fennel.Fructus Foeniculi.Foeniculum vulgare Mill.
What Is It?General Description of Fennel.
Fennel Seed is the oval, green or yellowishbrown dried fruit of Foeniculum vulgare, a member of the parsley family.
Its original Greek genus name was Marathron, from maraino, meaning to grow thin. Its current genus name, Foeniculum, was assigned by the Romans, derived from the Latin word foenum, meaning hay.
Most cooks-even unadventurous ones-can easily identify the yellowish-brown crescents known as fennel seeds. That's because these tiny seeds, which actually represent the dried ripe fruits of the aromatic fennel plant (Foeniculum vulgare), have been handed down through the ages as a spice and food preservative. Their heady and memorable flavor, reminiscent of licorice and anise, is familiar to most people because fennel seeds are routinely used in rye bread.
In addition to keeping fennel as a kitchen staple, people in China, Europe, and other parts of the world continue to use fennel seeds in teas, tinctures, and compresses to relieve myriad ailments, including stomach upset, gas, and coughs. Scientists have even looked into fennel's value as a source for synthetic estrogen. And even though evidence to support these and other uses is spotty, it's clear that fennel seeds do work for certain conditions.
For example, chewing on a few seeds clearly helps vanquish bad breath. (Try them after meals or as needed.) Specially made fennel-flavored syrups appear to help ease coughs, and are widely used for this purpose in Europe. And stomach upset may well find relief with a gentle fennel tea made by simmering 1 to 2 teaspoons of bruised seeds in 8 ounces of water.
Taste and Aroma:Fennel has an aniselike flavor but is more aromatic, sweeter and less pungent.
Sensory quality:
Sweet and aromatic, similar to anise. For other sweet spices, see licorice.
Fennel pollen, also known as "spice of the angels",has a subtle fennel flavour, lacking some of the sweetness but with a distinct note of pine needles (though others might disagree with this association of mine).
Reference:
1.Fennel.Fructus Foeniculi.Foeniculum vulgare Mill.Xiao Hui Xiang.




