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![Fennel Hydrolat]() | Fennel Hydrolat | Fennel is from the Apiaceae plant family and is grown mainly in the Mediterranean. Fennel is a pretty herb that grows up to 2 metres high with feathery leaves and golden flowers, the essential oil is distilled from the light brown seeds.
Ancient Greeks used to chew fennel seeds to help them lose weight. It was also used for digestive and menstrual problems and was found to be especially beneficial for the gall-bladder.
Fennel hydrolat is said to be analgesic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-septic, decongestant, digestive and diuretic. It is also thought to be hormone-like (oestrogen-like), laxative and a respiratory tonic. This very versatile hydrolat is mostly used to benefit aches and pains, gout, urinary tract infections, athlete's foot and candida. It is of great importance to women, being used for cellulite, weight loss, breast engorgement, lack of milk in breast-feeding mothers, scanty menstruation, PMS and ovary problems. It can also help relieve constipation, flatulence and indigestion. As a respiratory tonic, fennel is used for instances of rapid breathing.
Fennel hydrolat is strongly digestive, calms stomach ache and gripe, stimulates peristalsis and is antiseptic and antispasmodic for digestive, respiratory and muscular conditions. The hydrolat also can help lung congestion and catarrh and may promote lactation in nursing mothers. The warmed and diluted hydrolat makes a wonderful tea to aid general digestion.
Fennel Tea
Fennel water is said to have properties similar to those of anise and dill water, and mixed up with sodium bicarbonate and syrup these waters make up the domestic 'gripe water', used to correct flatulence of infants. The hydrolat is usually used as a prophylactic (10ml- 20ml daily, in half a cup of warm water), to help guard against digestive infections and stomach pains. Fennel hydrolat is also used in this way as a carminative, and is used to relieve flatulence and diminish griping.
Fennel tea can also be made by pouring half a pint of boiling water on a teaspoonful of bruised fennel seeds. Fennel tea has a distinctive aroma and flavour and was traditionally employed as a calmative.
Breast compress
To help relieve engorged breasts or mastitis, soak cotton gauze in warm fennel hydrolat, apply to the breast area and leave for at least 30 minutes. If the mastitis is inflamed and hot, use cold hydrolat that has been it the fridge for at least an hour, as this will bring comfort and speedy relief to the pain. Fennel has been used historically to help promote lactation. For this, use very warm fennel hydrolat in the compress or in the bath.
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