Fennel Essential Oil: Nature’s Digestive Aid

Welcome back to Harvesters’ Corner! Our topic today is an oil that usually falls in the “Love it! or Hate it!” category for many people. When I started with the oils over ten years ago, I hated Fennel essential oil. The aroma was too strong for my liking, and I associated it with black licorice, a product which I am so not a fan of. But over the years I find myself reaching with increasing frequency for this oil. With that said, I decided to take a look at Fennel’s history and found some very interesting facts.

In ancient times Fennel was a larger plant than we know and use today. It was similar to bamboo, but with a larger diameter. The ancient Grecian name for Fennel meant plant growing high. (1) The stalks grew to three inches (7.6cm) in diameter and would be cleaned out and used as quivers by archers in the Grecian Army. (2) Based on Greek mythology, a Fennel quiver thwarted one of Zeus’ plans. Prometheus was a Titan, one of twelve beings who ruled Greece before Zeus and the Olympians subdued them. Prometheus was given the task of creating man out of clay, and he developed a strong attachment to his creation. When Zeus decided to limit man’s power by withholding fire, Prometheus decided to intervene in behalf of man. The Titan entered Heaven (Olympus) with a Fennel quiver on his back, made his way to where Zeus kept his lightning bolts, and placed a couple in the quiver. Prometheus then quickly made his way to the men he created and presented them with the gift of fire. Zeus was displeased with both the Titan and man, and as punishment Zeus created Pandora (the first woman) to bring misfortune to the house of man. (3)

Fennel played another role in Grecian history. The Battle of Marathon, fought in BC 490 and the source of the famous run for which modern-day marathons are named after, was fought in a marshy Fennel field. Oh yeah…the Greek name for Fennel? Turns out it was marathon. (4)

What's in a Name? 

Fennel is now known by more than one hundred names and has been held in high esteem by various cultures throughout history. (5) Some of the names for Fennel include saunf (Hindi), razianaj (Arabic), hui xiang (Chinese), venket (Dutch), fenouli (French), fenneru (Japanese), and sohoehyang (Korean) (6). The Latin name for Fennel—foeniculum—means “small/thin hay,” as the modern-day variety is much smaller than back in the time of the Titans. (7)

Fennel is a member of the Apiaceae family, which includes celery, carrots, and parsley (8) It is a hardy, perennial herb native to the Mediterranean basin, and can reach between three feet to nine feet high (0.9 to 2.7 meters). The stems grow out of a thick bulb and are tipped with light feathery leaves similar to dill. (9) Fennel was representative of success in Ancient Rome and gladiators who were triumphant in the arena received a wreath of Fennel. (10) The popularity of Fennel spread in the early ninth century. Following his crowning as the Roman Emperor in 800 AD Charlamange encouraged the cultivation of fennel throughout Central Europe. (11)

Ancient Uses

Historically, fennel was used in very specific ways. In Ancient Egypt the seeds were chewed as a digestive aid. (12) This practice continued across the Mediterranean Sea in Greece. In addition, the ancient Greeks would mix fennel with wine and administer it to snake bite victims, as well as grind the seeds up to make a poultice for the bite site. (13) Several Asian cultures used fennel as means to cleanse the body of toxins and poisons. (14) In South America the seeds get brewed as a tea and used to combat sleeplessness, while people in South Africa use the seeds to brew a tea for use as a way to relieve minor pains. (15)

For many cultures, Fennel was considered a magical herb, and it was used in a multitude of ways to ward off evil spirits (16) One such use involved jamming fennel leaves in keyholes to keep the spirits outside. During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries Fennel received a new nickname. Its seeds became known as “Meeting Seeds.” As the ministers of the era grew more loquacious in their sermons, members of the congregations would bring bags of Fennel seed to church to snack on during the meeting. This helped stave off hunger pains as they listened to the sermons. (17)

Modern Uses

One of the primary uses of Fennel today is as a spice, especially in Far Eastern dishes. It is especially prominent in Indian, Afghani, and Iraqi cuisine, as well as being a main ingredient in the Chinese Five-Spice Powder (18) It is also used in some candies, including black licorice. A more modern use for Fennel involves it being distilled into an oil, which can be used to support a broad variety of metabolic and digesting functions. (19) It can also help support healthy circulatory function. (20). Fennel oil can also be used in an aromatic form, diffused with a broad variety of oils. Try blending it with Cinnamon, Clove, Basil, Thyme, Ginger or Rosemary oils. Fennel also pairs well with citrus oils like Lime and Wild Orange.

One country that benefited from Emperor Charlamange’s first century decree referred to above is the former Soviet republic of Moldova. For several decades of the twentieth century Moldova was the breadbasket for the Soviet Union, and a producer of essential oils. Following the Soviet Union’s collapse, most farmers in the country struggled to keep food on their tables. Neary three decades later many still struggle to survive. Co-Impact Sourcing has been working for several years now to help growers in Moldova to become more self-reliant. In recent years, the focus has shifted to improving the quality of life in their towns. One such example is the village of Nikolaevka, a small commune of just over 5,000 people, located in the western portion of the country about eighty miles (120km) from the Romanian border. (21) This small village lies about the same latitude as the Oregon-Washington state border in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. The short winter months forced the children to have to walk home in the dark. Villagers working in the distillery were also forced to walk home in the dark as well. In 2021 Co-Impact Sourcing partnered with the Healing Hands Foundation to repair existing electrical poles, established secure electrical connections, and installed new streetlights to provide nighttime lighting. The Healing Hands Foundation also helped provide funding for a new soccer field, which opened for use in 2022. (22)

Fennel Essential Oil is in How Many Products? 

DōTERRA has many products incorporating Fennel essential oil. Two of my favorites are the DigestZen oil blend and the DigestZen DigestTabs. My sister calls the oil blend her “upset tummy, stopped-up and exploding butt oil,” and uses it frequently with her children. My husband prefers the tabs over the oil, especially with his sensitivity to tomato-based sauces. As for myself, I like the convenience of the DigestZen Softgels with the blend. These are ready for any time I feel off with my digestive health. With them, I don’t have to worry about the smell or taste of the Fennel, and I am able to enjoy the health benefits.

As I stated earlier, Fennel has slowly become one of my favorite oils, and I take the Softgels with me in my purse whenever I go on a trip. I can eat what I want without fearing a digestive catastrophe later. I hope you will join us next time, when we travel to the Orient to take a look at the history and uses of Magnolia. Until then, stay safe, and keep sharing the oils!

SOURCES

1.    Touwaide, Alain and Emanuela Appetiti. “Herbs in History: Fennel.” American Herbal Products Association, December 2022. Online. <https://www.ahpa.org/ herbs_in_history_fennel>. Accessed 15 July 2025.

2.    Ibid.

3.    Atsma, Aaron. “Prometheus.” Theoi Project, 2017. Online. <theoi.com/Titan?TitanPrometheus.html> Accessed 2 August 2025.

4.    McCormick Spice Institute. “Fennel.” Online. <https://www.mccormickscienceinstitute.com/resources/culinary-spices/herbs-spices/fennel>. Accessed 15 July 2025. See also Touwaid and Appetiti, “Herbs in History: Fennel.”

5.    dōTERRA. “Supporting Your Digestive Health and Fennel.” Podcast, Episode 73. Online. <https://www.doterra.com/US/en/podcast-episode-73-supporting-your-digestive-health-and-fennel>. Accessed 20 July 2025.

6.    McCormick Spice Institute. “Fennel.”

7.    Touwaid and Appetiti, “Herbs in History: Fennel.”

8.    McCormick Spice Institute. “Fennel.”

9.    Ibid.

10. Ibid.

11. Ibid.

12. USC Davis Nutritional Geography. “Fennel.” Online. <https://nutritionalgeography.faculty,ucdavis.edu/fennel>. Accessed 15 July 2025.

13. McCormick Spice Institute. “Fennel.” See also Touwaid and Appetiti, “Herbs in History: Fennel.”

14. McCormick Spice Institute. “Fennel.”

15. Ibid.

16. Ibid.

17. Ibid.

18. Ibid.

19. dōTERRA. “Product Information: Fennel.” Online. <https://www/doterra.com/US/en/p/sweet-fennel-oil>. Accessed 15 July 2025.

20. Ibid.

21. The name of this town is also spelled as “Nikolayevka.”

22. dōTERRA. “Source to You: Fennel.” Online. <https://www.sourcetoyou.com/ en/stories/ story/fennel>. Accessed 2 August 2025.

Disclaimer

All views on Harvesters’ Corner are those of the author. I am a Wellness Advocate with dōTERRA, and I use the essential oils daily. Any purchases made through my affiliate link may earn me a commission. The oils are not intended to treat or cure any illness.