Fennel, Sweet (organic)

Two varieties of fennel are distilled for oil, and they are not equivalent. Bitter fennel carries a substantially higher proportion of fenchone. Sweet fennel, Foeniculum vulgare var. dulce, is dominated by anethole. Sea fennel is unrelated, a coastal plant of a different genus.

01 · Origin

A tall perennial of the Apiaceae, native to the Mediterranean, with feathery leaves and yellow umbels. This oil is distilled from the seeds of wild-crafted organic plants in Hungary.

02 · Chemistry

Trans-anethole is the leading constituent and gives the sweet, aniseed tone. Limonene, fenchone and alpha-pinene follow. Anethole-rich oils can thicken or crystallise in a cold store and return to liquid at room temperature. Comparison with Fennel, Sea (No. 2048) shows what shared common names can conceal.

03 · In Practice

Sweet, aniseed and herbal, with a slight peppery edge. A top to middle note. Massage blends, diffusion and natural perfumery at low concentration. Anethole-led oils are dosed conservatively. Blends with lavender, geranium, rose, sandalwood, lemon, juniper berry and black pepper.

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.