This week’s healing herb addition to your box is fennel (Foeniculum vulgare). But this is not the fennel you may be used to seeing at the grocery store, this is a ‘bitter’ fennel who’s dill-like leaves and seeds are traditionally used as a medicine.
Herbalists often use bitter fennel as a warming herb to support the digestive system and to relax muscles to alleviate cramping, gas and bloating. You can make a simple tea, or you can incorporate it into your dishes so that your food becomes your medicine.
Fennel has a flavour very similar to licorice due to the essential oils that are present, and its seeds can be added as a flavouring to beverages, baking, condiments or simply chewed on their own. The finely chopped fresh leaves are a lovely addition to salads, root vegetable dishes, vinaigrettes, marinades, soups, herbal butters, and sauces
The world of fennel and using this food as a medicine is yours to explore and build your own relationship with, and we have provided you with a recipe to get you started. Enjoy the process of discovery and good luck with your creations!
