Name: Fennel Latin name: Foeniculum vulgare Family: Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) Parts Used: Seeds, bulb, leaves Taste: Sweet, slightly pungent Energetics: Drying, warming, slightly cooling (Ayurveda) Key actions: Carminative, galactagogue, emmenagogue Precautions/Contraindications: Fennel stimulates milk flow and production in nursing mothers. Fennel is soothing to the respiratory system as well as the smooth muscle of the intestines.*