Botany, Cultivation, Chemical Constituents and Genetic Diversity in Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill): A Review

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill), wild or cultivated, is widely distributed throughout the world and belongs to the Apiaceae family. It is an old medicinal plant and has been commonly used as a traditional food and medicine. Fennel seeds are used for their anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antimicrobial properties and oestrogen-promoting action. Recent research has identified fennel as a valuable medicinal plant with potential for multipurpose uses and also as a source for preparing raw materials of pharmaceutical industry, especially steroidal hormones. A significant increase in quantity and quality yields through the suitable management of cultivation, chemical constituents and biotechnology practice could make an immediate and important contribution to farm and pharmaceutical industry income. To achieve these goals with regard to sustainable production, we reviewed a summary of biology, cultivation and biotechnology of fennel in this paper.