The History of Fennel
(Fæniculum officinale, All.)
The herb fennel has quite an interesting history.
In historical records from King Edward I of England, dated the year 1281, the wardrobe account books list 8 1/2 pounds of fennel seed were purchased and considered enough for one month. Why so much? Fennel seed was used as a condiment and an apetite supressant. 'Fastying dayes' as dictated by the Church, saw fennel used to aid the believer in following those dictates. Puritans in America would bring handkerchiefs with fennel seed to nibble on during long services to stave off hunger. For that reason, Puritans and others called them 'meetin' seeds'.
During medieval times, fennel was hung over doorways on Midsummer's Eve to ward off evil spirits which were thought to roam freely as the sun turned southwards. Fennel seeds inserted into keyholes were thought to protect a dwelling from ghosts on any night but particularly Midsummer's Eve.
Medicinally, fennel had many uses through the centuries. Hippocrates (yes, the fellow the physician's oath is named for) suggested fennel could aid wet nurses to increase their milk supply.
One physcian from the thirteenth century noted in the Book of Physicians of Myddvai "he who sees fennel and gathers it not, is not a man but a devil." A contrary opinion led to the traditional saying that "sowing fennel is sowing sorrow" that predicted disaster to anyone giving away fennel. In the mid 15th Century, it was said of fennel..."The juice of fenell put into a mans eares, killeth the wormes therein."
When steeped into a tea it was believed that fennel was also a treatment for losing weight. The Greeks called it Marathron which is derived from a word meaning to grow thin.
In a publication from the late 1880s, Alphonse Karr, for whom the dahlia was named, tried put those claims to rest with his announcement, "At the end of three or four hundred years, it began to be perceived that it (fennel) had never cured anyone."
A list of the reference materials and resources we have used for all of our pages can be found on our About Us page.
General History of Fennel.
Pliny (AD 23-79), the Roman author of The Naturalis Historie believed that serpants ate and rubbed against fennel because it was able to improve their eyesight after shedding their skins. His work listed 22 ailments that fennel was suggested as an effective treatment for.
In historical records from King Edward I of England, dated the year 1281, the wardrobe account books list 8 1/2 pounds of fennel seed were purchased and considered enough for one month. Why so much? Fennel seed was used as a condiment and an apetite supressant. 'Fastying dayes' as dictated by the Church, saw fennel used to aid the believer in following those dictates. Puritans in America would bring handkerchiefs with fennel seed to nibble on during long services to stave off hunger. For that reason, Puritans and others called them 'meetin' seeds'.During medieval times, fennel was hung over doorways on Midsummer's Eve to ward off evil spirits which were thought to roam freely as the sun turned southwards. Fennel seeds inserted into keyholes were thought to protect a dwelling from ghosts on any night but particularly Midsummer's Eve.
Medicinal Uses of Fennel Throughout History.
Medicinally, fennel had many uses through the centuries. Hippocrates (yes, the fellow the physician's oath is named for) suggested fennel could aid wet nurses to increase their milk supply.
One physcian from the thirteenth century noted in the Book of Physicians of Myddvai "he who sees fennel and gathers it not, is not a man but a devil." A contrary opinion led to the traditional saying that "sowing fennel is sowing sorrow" that predicted disaster to anyone giving away fennel. In the mid 15th Century, it was said of fennel..."The juice of fenell put into a mans eares, killeth the wormes therein."
When steeped into a tea it was believed that fennel was also a treatment for losing weight. The Greeks called it Marathron which is derived from a word meaning to grow thin.
Fennel As An Antidote.
Fennel is often used with preparing fish. In the mid 1600s, one noted physician, Nicholas Culpepper, approved of it's use stating, "it consumes that phlegmatic humour, which fish most plentifully afford and annoy the body with, though few that use it know wherefore they do it; I suppose the reason for its benefit this way is because it is an herb of Mercury and under Virgo, and therefore bears antipathy to Pisces." Culpepper also believed fennel to be an antidote to poisonous mushrooms and snake bites. A plaster of fennel roots was a traditional treatment for the bites of mad dogs. It was used as an antidote to poisons byt the Romans, Chinese, and Hindus.In a publication from the late 1880s, Alphonse Karr, for whom the dahlia was named, tried put those claims to rest with his announcement, "At the end of three or four hundred years, it began to be perceived that it (fennel) had never cured anyone."
Modern Medicinal Beliefs.
Modern herbalists still use fennel to aid digestion and oddly enough as a treatment for loss of appetite which is in complete contrast to its historical use as an appetite suppressent. Fennel is credited with being a useful treatement for stomach pains (dried seeds), sluggishness (dried seeds), painful gas in babies, earache, toothache, coughs, asthma, headaches, sore eyes, and a decoction of its root is said to make an excellent diuretic for people suffering from kidney and bladder disorders. And the belief that fennel aids dieters remains and is believed to speed up the digestion of fatty foods.A list of the reference materials and resources we have used for all of our pages can be found on our About Us page.