326 UMBELLIFER.E 



382. FCENICULUM. FENNEL 



FENNEL 



The dried nearly ripe fruit of Foenic'ulum vulga're Miller with not more than 4 

 per cent, of foreign matter. 



BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS. Stem somewhat furrowed, 3 feet high. Leaves 

 much compounded, cut into fringe-like segments. Umbels with 6 to 8 rays, 

 without involucre or involucel. 



HABITAT. Chiefly imported from Germany, although the cultivated 

 plants in the gardens of this country partially supply the market. 



DESCRIPTION OF DRUG. Varying in size, the longest often being 1 2 mm. 

 (^ in.) in length; oblong, terete, a cross-section showing a nearly 

 circular surface; the mericarps are usually separated, however, and 

 slightly curved, their surface dark brown and smooth, with the excep- 

 tion of the five prominent, filiform, lighter colored ribs, the two 

 lateral ones rather broader; in each depression is one oil tube, and 

 on the flat side or commissure there are two. There are two promi : 

 nent varieties: Saxon, or German, about 4 mm. (% in.) long, 

 dark brown, usually in half-fruits without foot-stalks. The other 

 (Roman) is about 12 mm. (% in.) in length, lighter brown, with more 

 prominent ribs, and often in the whole state and furnished with foot- 

 stalk. Both, however, are about the same in aromatic properties, 

 and have a warm, sweet, aromatic taste. Bitter fennel, from a wild 

 plant of Southern France, is a small fruit, bitter and spicy. Indian 

 fennel (6.7 mm. in length), anise-like odor; used in the preparation of 

 compound infusion of senna (2 per cent.). 



Powder. 'Characteristic elements: See Part iv, Chap. I, B. 



CONSTITUENTS. From 2.5 to 4 per cent, of volatile oil, almost chemically 

 identical with that of anise. It contains phellandrene, CioHi 6 . Ash, 

 not exceeding 9 per cent. 



ACTION AND USES. Stimulant, carminative, stomachic, corrective. Dose: 

 8 to 30 gr. (0.5 to 2 Gm.), in infusion or powder. 



OFFICIAL PREPARATION. 



Infusum Sennas Compositum, Dose: 4 fl. dr. (120 mils). 



382 a. OLEUM FCENICULI. A colorless or pale yellow volatile oil, 

 having a specific gravity, of 0.96. It usually solidifies at from 5 

 to ioC. (41 to 5oF.). It has essentially the same constituents 

 as the oil of anise. Stimulant and carminative, and a corrective 

 of harsh, purgative preparations. Dose: i to 5 TIR (0.06 to 0.3 mil). 



