Our organic Sweet Fennel from Hungary is distilled from the seeds of Foeniculum vulgare, a tall biennial herb that since ancient times has been revered for its beneficial effects on the digestive, respiratory, and female reproductive systems. Both Tisserand and Peter and Kate Damien concur that Fennels purifying properties make it an ideal addition to topical preparations, particularly in massage for local application to the abdomen and lower back. Minimal application and a low dilution ratio of 1% are recommended for this type of massage. When well diluted and even minimally applied, Sweet Fennel may also be used to help cleanse the body after experiencing insect or snake bites or the occasional overindulgence in food and alcohol.

The molecular composition of organic Sweet Fennel is surprisingly diverse, featuring (E)-anethole, limonene, pinenes, estragole, phellandrene, and less than 1.0 percent of many other constituents, including fenchone (a ketone). Highly etheric oils like Sweet Fennel are extremely "drying" and as such, may be useful in massage for damp, swollen, or water-retaining skin.

Safety Considerations: Avoid use in pregnancy, breastfeeding, endometriosis, estrogen-dependent cancers, and on children under 5 years old; we also recommend that elders and epileptics avoid using this essential oil. CAUTION: Drug interaction with diabetic, anticoagulant, and bleeding disorder medications. Dilute before use. A patch test should be performed before use for those with sensitive skin.