iAM Himalayan Fennel

ENERGETICS

Rasa (taste) Sweet, pungent, bitter

Virya (energy) Heating (a little)

Vipaka (post-digestive effect) Sweet

Guna (quality) Light, dry

Dosa effect Tridoshic,VPK=

Dhatu (tissue) Plasma, blood, muscles, nerve

Srotas (channel) Digestive, respiratory, nervous, urinary, reproductive, lactation

 

CONSTITUENTS

Essential oils Anethole, estragole, fenchone

Flavonoids

Organic acids

Sterols sitosterol

(Mills & Bones)

 

AYURVEDIC ACTION

Dipana Enkindles the digestive fire

Pacana Digestive

Sulaprasamana Alleviates intestinal spasms

Anuloma Redirects the flow of vata downwards

Chardinigrahana Antiemetic

Kasa Benefits cough

Svasa Antiasthmatic

Sattva Increases clarity of consciousness

 

BIOMEDICAL ACTION

Carminative, aromatic, diuretic, antispasmodic, galactagogue, expectorant, antitussive

 

INDICATIONS

Digestion Digestive discomfort; flatulence, borborygmus, cramps, nausea and low agni. Although a heating herb, it benefits digestion without aggravating pitta. In fact its sweet post-digestive action leaves a residual cooling effect. A specific herb for inguinal hernias and lower abdominal pain (Bensky &Gamble 1993). It relaxes the smooth muscles and is a specific herb for lower abdominal pain from lower bowel tension. Fennel water s used for colic in babies.

Urinary Cystitis, difficult urination, burning and dark yellow urine, cloudy urine. Its diuretic properties clear pitta from mutravahasrotas.

Nerves Use fennel when nervous tension in mamsa dhatu and contraction in the smooth muscle system restricts the flow of vata. All spasms are relieved by fennel, especially in the GIT, lungs and uterus (Bhavaprakasa). Its nourishing effect on majja dhatu tonifies the brain and nervous system.

Lungs Useful in vata-kapha obstruction type cough. Helps to clear phlegm by reducing aggravated avalambaka kapha that congests the alveoli and bronchioles.

Gynaecology Its specific effect of rasa dhatu can increase the flow of milk in lactating mothers. Usefulin menstrual difficulty caused by vata and kapha obstruction in the lower abdomen with pain, cramp and a dragging sensation (Bhavapraska).

 

CONTRADICTIONS

None known Fennel is a very safe herb.

 

SAFETY

There is some theoretical concern that ciprofloxacin is cleared from the body at twice the normal rate when taken with fennel (Low Dog 2002, Harkness & Bratman 2003).

 

DOSAGE

500-9g per day dried or 3-15ml per day of a 1:3 @ 45% tincture.