Fennel as an Aphrodisiac

Fennel’s botanical name is Foeniculum vulgare and it belongs to the Apiaceae family which also includes plants like parsley and carrot. Fennel is native to southern Europe though it is now naturalized in northern Europe, North America and Australia besides being cultivated almost all over the world. Fennel is related to plants like cumin, dill, anise and caraway in that all these herbs bear small, aromatic fruits which are popularly called seeds.

Fennel has a long history of magical, medicinal and culinary uses. The first known use of the herb was made by the ancient Egyptians who regarded fennel as a potent nutritional supplement and libido booster and employed the herb in various medicinal and culinary recipes. In ancient China, fennel was believed to treat cases of snake bite too. In Ancient Greece, fennel was called marathon for its association with strength, longevity and courage. Pliny the Elder, the legendary Roman scientist and scholar, promoted fennel’s medicinal properties and recommended approximately two-dozen remedies using fennel.

From the medicinal, it was a small step to the magical when fennel was started to be used in the Middle Ages as protection against witches and evil spirits and accordingly hung over the doorway of houses on Midsummer Eve. Eventually fennel came to be used as an important ingredient in love potions, a tradition which continued with modifications till recent times as evidenced by fennel’s presence in modern stimulants like absinthe.

The key to fennel’s reputation as an aphrodisiac lies in the fact that the plant contains certain compounds that are similar to the female hormone estrogen. These plant-based estrogen-like compounds are known as phytoestrogen and are believed to stimulate sexual desire among women. Probably for this reason too, fennel was used as a breast enlarger in folk medicine. In fact, so rich is fennel in phytoestrogens that in the 1930s, the herb was considered as a source for producing synthetic estrogens.

Besides working directly to enhance the libido, fennel is packed with valuable nutrients essential for building up immunity and the proper functioning of all systems of the body including the sex organs. The herb is rich in fiber, vitamin C and minerals like calcium, magnesium, manganese and iron, all of which are essential for a healthy sex life. Being stocked with essential vitamins and minerals, fennel has powerful antioxidant properties which prevents signs of aging and helps to boost immunity, longevity and sexual vigor.

Fennel has been known to alleviate several types of gynecological disorders. One example is its ability to encourage menstruation among women suffering from absence of or scanty periods. According to traditional medicine, the herb is also an effective means of reducing distressing symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats and mood swings related to pre-menstrual syndrome and menopause.

Fennel oil is sweet and aromatic which has been traditionally used to stimulate sexual desire in women by appealing to the olfactory senses. In fact, fennel seeds were chewed to obtain sweet-smelling breath in the past when artificial mints and breath fresheners were not available. And everyone knows how conducive a fresh, sweet smelling breath is to amorous encounters! This is also one reason why the essential oil made from fennel seeds has emerged as a significant ingredient in the manufacture of perfumes, soaps, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals in modern times.