Semester 4, Week 4, Day 2

I was awake before 4 again.  I got woken up by my daughter screaming "mommy" in her sleep.  I wrapped my arms around her and got her all settled down.  I laid there thinking and have realized diet is one of the biggest factors.  We don't eat bad by society's standards, in fact, we eat fabulous compared to those who live at McDonald's but we need to eat more live foods.  Monday can't get here fast enough so I can go buy more fresh foods.  Those things don't last long around here.  I can't wait to be able to garden!  It will make things so much easier. The kids are both happily playing.  I tried something new with corn last night and it was a huge failure.  At least they tasted it.  Of course, they probably felt tricked into it because they normally love it. While I have already had to yell at my daughter, I can say the day has started well.  My son came to bed and fell back asleep in my arms, then my daughter rolled over and climbed into my other arm.  She noticed her brother was still sleeping and said "awww cute!"  I'm telling you, laying there with my kids in my arms, there is nothing better.  The little things are what's most important. Love and Light!

On to fennel!

Constituents: Essential oil (Anethole (intestinal stimulant), phenolic ether (antiseptic), estragole, and fenchone (internal anesthetic)), fatty oil, albumin, sugar, alpha-pinene, beta-myrcene, beta-pinene, bitter fenchone, camphene, limonene, para-cymen, and safrole. Has beta-carotene, Vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, and iron (Petersen, 2018, 90, 91). Chevallier (2016) says volatile oil (anethole, fenchone, and methylchavicol), flavonoids, coumarins (bergapten), and sterols. The seeds have a lot more fenchone and are a lot more bitter (p. 212). Weiss & Fintelmann (2000) say the anethole and fenchone give the flowers their pigment (p. 75). Mills & Bone (2010) says the essential oil contains anethole and fenchone as well as estragole, a-pinene, limonene, camphene, b-pinene, b-myrcene, a-phellandrene, sabinene, y-terpinene, and terpinolene (p. 396).

Therapeutic Actions: expectorant and anti-inflammatory (Hoffman, 2003, p 551). Petersen (2018) says anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory due to anethole. Chevallier (2016) says it relieves gas, mild expectorant, and is anti-inflammatory (p. 212). Weiss and Fintelmann (2000) say this is a carminative and a mild expectorant as well as antispasmodic and mild narcotic properties (p. 75). Mills and Bone (2010) says carminative, spasmolytic, galactagogue, possible oestrogenic, antimicrobial, and expectorant (p. 396).

Indications: Petersen (2018) says lactation, promote menstruation, dysmenorrhea, facilitate birth, increase libido, upper respiratory infections, coughs, bronchitis, cholera, backache, bedwetting, dyspepsia, flatulence, stomach cramps, rheumatism, bloating, loss of appetite, vision, and colic in infants (p. 88, 92). It’s also used as food flavoring and the oil is used to prevent fungus growth on stored produce. It has been used for centuries in Greece, Rome, Europe and China for abdominal cramps, stimulate digestion, dyspepsia, and stimulate lactation (p. 89). Chevallier (2016) says bloating, stomach pain, stimulate appetite, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, kidney stones, cystitis (when combined with urinary antiseptics), sore throats, colic, teething (low doses in children), breast milk productions, sore eyes, conjunctivitis, weight loss, longevity, and may help with menopause (p. 212). Weiss and Fintelmann 92000) say dyspepsia, diarrhea, in infants; It can be used as an eye wash, eye compress for blepharitis and conjunctivitis (p. 75).  Heinermann (1996) says breath sweetener, breast milk sweetener, stimulate breast milk flow, stimulate appetite, eye strain, colic and hyperactivity (p. 230-1).

Contraindications/Safety: May cause photo dermatitis.  Avoid excessive sunlight. May increase anticoagulant effects.  Some varieties of this herb have really strong anticoagulant properties. May also cause allergies though this herb is generally considered safe as long as it is used within proper guidelines. Anethole may be allergenic and insecticidal, may also be estrogenic and toxic (Petersen, 2018, p. 90).  On page 92, she says it’s classified as safe as long as used as directed. Mills & Bone (2010) say it’s safe unless allergic to the species. Use during pregnancy only with professional advice (p. 396).

Have a Great Day!