This action may have something to do with its traditional use as a milk and menstruation promoter. More babies who received fennel tea showed improvement that those who received the placebo drink. Although the study is from conclusive, it can't hurt to try giving fennel tea to a colicky baby. All parts of the plant have the herb's characteristic licorice fragrance. To grow fennel, plant seeds in rich, moist soil after danger of frost has passed.
Germination takes about two weeks.
Thin seedlings to 12 inches apart. Do not over-water. Harvest seeds in late summer as they turn greenish-gray. Fennel may damage neighboring plants, including bush beans, tomatoes, caraway and kohlrabi. Also, if coriander seeds are planted nearby, fennel won't fruit.