Bronze fennel is an all-rounder garden plant, hailed as a short-lived perennial. It is an upright branching herb with fine, aromatic, feathery, bronze leaves and tiny golden-yellow umbelliferous flowers. It stands as both a medicinal and ornamental plant, inviting pollinating agents to the garden and shooing tons of disorders.
Bronze fennel is usually planted on the borders to impart height and sophisticated airiness to the garden. It can grow up to a height of 6 feet, laced with smooth, dark green leaves, similar to that of dill, with a terminal compound umbel of flowers, each umbel section containing 20-50 flowers.
Bronze fennel was historically nibbled on to avert hunger during religious fasting rituals. During the 17th century, it was acclaimed as an antidote for poison by Nicholas Culpeper. Medicinally, it is known for being women-friendly as it solves the issues regarding the female reproductive system. It has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, carminative, antispasmodic, anti-colic, antitussive, and anti-bronchitic properties. Bronze fennel is of immense importance when it comes to addressing heartburn, indigestion, loss of appetite, bronchitis, cough, bedwetting, cholera, visual impairment, and backache.
It has anethole, also present in anise and star anise, giving bronze fennel its signature taste and aroma. It also stores trans-anethole, estragole, limonene, fenchone, and pinene.