Fennel, Sea (organic)

Sea fennel is not a fennel. Crithmum maritimum, also called rock samphire, is a separate genus, and its oil contains none of the trans-anethole that defines Foeniculum vulgare. The resemblance is in the feathery leaf and the shared family.

01 · Origin

A fleshy perennial of the carrot family, Apiaceae, growing on coastal rocks and cliffs of the Mediterranean and Atlantic shores. This oil is distilled in Greece from the blossoms and leaves of wild-crafted plants, certified organic under DE-ÖKO-007.

02 · Chemistry

Gamma-terpinene leads, with beta-phellandrene and para-cymene. Apiole, a phenylpropanoid, and thymol methyl ether give a herbaceous, slightly phenolic depth. Comparative work alongside Fennel, Sweet (No. 1445) shows two Apiaceae oils with almost no constituents in common.

03 · In Practice

Green, marine and herbaceous, with a citrus-peppery top and a slight iodine note. A top-to-middle note. Used at low concentration in skincare formulation, massage blends and natural perfumery, where it supplies a rare coastal facet. Blends with lemon, juniper, cypress, rosemary, lime, lavender and petitgrain.

General information: For external use only. Dilute before applying to skin. Keep away from heat and sunlight. Keep out of reach of children. Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes.