Fennel is one of the oldest cultivated plants and much valued by the Romans. Warriors took it to keep good health, while their ladies took it to stave off obesity.

They grew Fennel for its edible shoots and aromatic fruits, and it was much revered by Pliny the Elder (aka Caius Plinius Secundus) who used it in twenty two medicinal remedies. He even thought that serpents sucked the juice of the plant to improve their eyesight prompting him to recommend the herb for ”dimness of human vision”.

Its Greek name is marathon, meaning “to grow thin”. It was given to the plant because of its reputation for promoting weight loss.

The ancient Chinese believed that it could cure snake bites, although these day's you are best off going straight to a hospital!

Fennel is thought to be one of the nine herbs held sacred by the Anglo-saxons. The others are still not totally certain but they are thought to be Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), Greater Plantain (Plantago major), Watercress (Nastrurtium officinale), Wild Chamomile (Matricaria recutita ), Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica), Crab Apple (pyrus malus) , Chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium), Viper's Bugloss (Echium vulgare ) and Atterlothe. This last one remains a mystery but it is thought to be either Cockspur, Wormwood or Deadly Nightshade.

In 812 CE, Charlemagne declared it was essential in every garden because of its healing properties. In medieval times, the seeds were chewed to stop gastric rumblings during church services.

Inhaling herbs was often a means of treating respiratory disorders. The Lacnunga, a 10th century Anglo-Saxon medical text, recommends "Take fennel and hassuck (dried grass or rushes) and cotton and burn all together on the side which the wind is". The practitioner it is said should, "reek" patients with steam. This is similar to the Native American use of the sweat lodge or the modern sauna, where herbs are placed on the hot rocks to be added to the steaming process.

Fennel tea can be used as a carminative with antispasmodic effect against cramps of the digestive tract in combination with flatulence. To make the tea put a teaspoon of the seeds in a tea pot, pour on boiling water and leave to 'stoop' for five minutes.

Fennel can also be used for bad breath, constipation, colds, flu and as a diuretic.