Fennel Seed (Foeniculum vulgare) from Egypt. Organic, whole. This high-quality herb can be used both for medicinal or magickal use. 1 pound. Uses include flavoring agent; aids digestion and weight loss; relieves gas; imparts strength, vitality, sexual virility; protection; prevents curses, possession and negative problems.
We guarantee that by the time any of our herbs and spices reach your door that they are no more than 3 months of age from time of harvest. This fact makes the herbs and spices available through Sacred Mists Shoppe the freshest you can buy!
By purchasing in bulk, not only are you saving money on the best whole organic fennel seeds that you can find, but you will have plenty for both your kitchen spice rack as well as your herbal and magickal supply cabinets, too!
History
The ancients believed that fennel seed was particularly helpful for eyesight, a theory which may have stemmed from the writings of Pliny, who wrote about 22 maladies where fennel was used as a remedy. He noted that the "juices of fennel" not only "quickened the sight" of snakes but helped them shed their skins in the spring and gave them a sleek and youthful appearance.
Fennel was also thought to increase strength. Roman gladiators mixed it with their food before entering the arena and the victor was often crowned with a wreath of fennel.
Our word "marathon" comes from the Greek and is associated with fennel. The famed battle of Marathon, 490 B.C., was fought on a field of fennel. During the struggle, the Athenian athlete Pheidippides ran 150 miles to Sparta for aid which is the root of our modern usage of marathon.
There is a considerable body of mythology associated with fennel. Prometheus was said to have brought the spark of fire from heaven hidden in a stalk of fennel. Ancients felt that a bunch of fennel hung over a doorway would ward off evil spirits. And as a remedy, fennel was prescribed for everything from weight loss to snakebite.
Longfellow alludes to the virtue of the plant, describing its wonderful power and ability to restore sight.
In mediaeval times, Fennel was used, together with St. John's Wort and other herbs, as a preventative of witchcraft and other evils, as well as being hung over open doors on Midsummer's Eve to ward off evil spirits.
Fennel seed is the dried fruit of Foeniculum Vulgare Mill. Fennel is actually a fruit and is almost always misnamed by people as a "seed". There are a number of variants in the Foeniculum vulgare family. The vegetable called fennel, or finnochio, comes from the plant known as Florence fennel, which develops bulbous stalks that are eaten like celery. There is also a bitter fennel the seeds of which are sometimes used in liqueurs. However, the spice fennel seed comes from sweet, or garden fennel. It is easily identified by its anise-like flavor.
A member of the carrot family, the fennel plant is a perennial which grows to a height of three to five feet. It is a native of Europe and Asia Minor, grows wild in most parts of temperate Europe, but is generally considered indigenous to the shores of the Mediterranean, from where it spread eastwards to India. It has followed civilization, especially where Italians have colonized. The leaves are feathery and finely divided. The flowers are small and golden-yellow and each produces only two seeds.
** This product is processed at an Organic Processing Facility certified by Quality Assurance International that supports and buys only from third-party Certified Organic, ethically wildcrafted, or soundly cultivated herbs and spices. No products are purchased that are known to contain genetically modified organisms. Organic certificates and Certificates of Anaysis are on file. **
