Dose.—1–2 drops of the essential oil in emulsion or on a piece of sugar. Of the “aqua,” 30–60 grams as a carminative or to disguise the taste of other drugs (such as castor oil), thus frequently preventing nausea or vomiting.
Botanical Description.—Leaves finely pinnately compound. Common petiole clasps the stem at the base. Flowers white, in flat compound umbels. The secondary peduncles 12. Flowerets of each partial umbel about 16. Calyx of flowerets superior, 5 globose sepals. Corolla, 5 equal petals, with rounded lobules. Stamens 5. Ovary tuberculate. Styles 2, very short. Seeds 2, united, furrowed and nearly glabrous at maturity.
Habitat.—Cultivated in gardens. Blooms in October.
Fœniculum vulgare, Gaertn. (F. officinale, Allion; F. panmorium, DC.; Anethum fœniculum, Blanco.)
Nom. Vulg.—Anis, Sp.; Fennel, Eng.
Coriandrum sativum, L. (Cuminum cynimum, Wall.)
Nom. Vulg.—Cominos, Calantro, Sp.; Coriander, Eng.
Uses.—The fruit of both species has the same therapeutical application being stomachic and carminative par excellence. It yields an aromatic essential oil with stimulant properties, popular because of its agreeable odor and taste.
As a rule the infusion is given in doses of one liter a day (15–30 grams of the seeds to one liter of water). The essence and the alcoholate are also employed, the former obtained by distillation, the latter by macerating the fresh seeds in alcohol. The dose of the essence, 4–8 drops on a piece of sugar or in potion; the alcoholate, 2–10 grams in sweetened water or infusion of aromatic herbs.
Both plants are official in the Spanish Pharmacopœia and they and their preparations are common in all drug stores.