Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare).Plant Part Used: Seeds.Dominican Medicinal Uses: Seeds: decoction, orally, for digestive ailments, flatulence, stomach pain, pasmo, infant colic, inflammation, allergy, sinus infection and women’s health. Leaves: decoction, orally, for stomach ache, indigestion and gas.Safety: Widely consumed and considered safe; caution advised if used in anise tea: seeds are often combined with anís de estrella which may be adulterated by poisonous look-alike.Contraindications: Essential oil: epileptics, young children, pregnancy; herb considered safe for children and pregnant women.Clinical Data: Human clinical trial: infant colic treatment (seed extract and essential oil emulsion).* See entry for Hinojo in “Part 3: Dominican Medicinal Plant Profiles” of this book for more information, including references.
There are at least five different species of anise-like medicinal plants that are recognized in Dominican healing traditions. Those that are included in the present edition of this book are listed below in bold along with their other common Spanish names:- Anís chiquito = anís de comer, anís de cocinar, anís pequeño, aniscito (Pimpinella anisum)- Anís comino = comino (Cuminum cyminum) or hinojo- Hinojo = anís hinojo (Foeniculum vulgare) or anís comino- Anís de estrella = anís estrellada, anís grande (Illicium verum)- Aniseto = aniceto (Piper marginatum)The common names of the first three types of anís are easily confused because their dried fruits or “seeds” (the part of the plant traditionally used for medicine) are similar in appearance, taste and shape. For more information on a specific type of anís, see the plant entry for the appropriate common name listed in bold above.... anís
Health Encyclopedia