Fennel, Sweet

Sweet licorice aroma. Often recommended for massage where there is cellulite and for the digestive system, especially for indigestion or gas. Fennel essential oil is often recommended for PMS and for menstrual difficulties. I add just a drop to my PMS blend. Its distinctive scent is softened by blending with Rose Geranium and Clary Sage. I suspect its mildly diuretic action can help with fluid retention that often adds to the discomfort of PMS. Some sources recommend Fennel for detoxifying the body, that it is helpful for detoxifying from overindulgence in alcohol, nicotine, and other toxic substances. I think a blend of Fennel, Juniper, and Seaweed Essential Oils, blended into sea salts, would make a wonderful detoxifying bath. It was an ingredient in our Detox Synergy. Fennel is often recommended for breast firming massage and to promote milk production with new mothers, however, I think that the distinctive aroma could interfere with the bonding that needs to occur between the mother and newborn, and would prefer to see nursing mothers drink fennel seed tea. Emotionally, fennel can ease stress and nervous tension without having the mildly sedative effect that many of the relaxing essential oils bring. A blend of Sweet Fennel and Rosemary can both relieve stress and energize; the only other essential oil that I know of with that effect is Pink Grapefruit. WARNING: Fennel can be a skin irritant. Do not use it on young children. Do not use if pregnant. Do not use if suffering from epilepsy. Caution: it may affect diabetes. Robert Tisserand advises that: Drug interaction; reproductive hormone modulation, potentially carcinogenic, based on estragole content, may inhibit blood clotting, skin sensitization if oxidized. Contraindicated during pregnancy, breastfeeding, endometriosis, estrogen-depenedent cancers, children under age 5. Possible interactions with diabetes anticoagulant medications, major surgery, peptic ulcer, hemophilia, other bleeding disorders. Maximum dermal use: IFRA 0.2%, Tisserand 2.5% based on 4.8% estragole content. (Note, our current batch has only 3.13% estragole. I would still limit its use.) **For other possible oils to avoid, please see our essential oil Contraindications page. SHELF LIFE: Approximately 2 to 3 years after you open the bottle. Storing in the dark, refrigerated, and decanting half full bottles into smaller, full bottles will extend shelf life. Certificate of Analysis: 2014 Batch No. HU-B416003 Batch No. HU-B416005 Batch No. HU-59002 Batch No. HU-59075 Batch No. HU-59317 Batch No. HU-59541 (Current Batch) BLENDS WELL WITH: Basil, Geranium, Lavender, Lemon, Rose, Rosemary, and Sandalwood, but personally my experience is that fennel will take over a blend unless used very sparingly indeed. Foeniculum vulgare var. dulce , organically grown, steam-distilled seeds, Hungary. • PMS and other menstrual difficulties • Detoxifying • Eases stress and nervous tension • Contraindicated during pregnancy, breastfeeding…