Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)

This rapid growing umbellifer attracts beneficial insects like hover flies into the garden and it is atasty culinary herb.

The most important use of fennel seeds is to relieve wind and bloating. A tea made from ¼ to ½ tsp of seeds per cup of water can be taken up to 5 times a day: crushing the seeds slightly before making the tea will help to release the aromatic oils, making the tea more effective.

Fennel increases breast milk production and is safe for treating colic and painful teething in babies and so makes an excellent choice of tea for breastfeeding women, as the medicinal properties of fennel will pass through the breast milk to the child.