Description
Fennel essential oil is steam distilled from the dried seeds of Foeniculum vulgare, common fennel, a perennial herb native to the Mediterranean, now naturalised throughout much of the world. Fennel has been used as a culinary and medicinal herb for thousands of years across multiple cultures, and its distinctive anise-like flavour and aroma are immediately recognisable.
Fennel essential oil has a warm, sweet, intensely anisic, and slightly herbaceous aroma with liquorice-like notes. The dominant aromatic constituent is trans-anethole, typically present at 50 to 80%, which is the same compound responsible for the characteristic anise and liquorice flavour in star anise, aniseed, and licorice root. Fennel also contains fenchone, which adds a slight camphoraceous and herbal quality to the oil.
In aromatherapy, fennel essential oil is used in diffuser and massage preparations associated with digestive comfort and tonic effects. It is also used in preparations aimed at supporting lymphatic function and reducing the appearance of fluid retention. Fennel blends well with other seed oils including coriander, cardamom, and caraway, as well as with citrus oils like orange and grapefruit.
Fennel essential oil should not be used during pregnancy or by those with estrogen-dependent conditions due to its anethole content. It should not be used by epileptics or on young children. Always dilute before skin application. This 10ml bottle is suitable for diffusers and diluted preparations. Not for internal use.
