Safety first

Familiarize yourself with aromatherapy and do a skin patch test before using any essential oil. Learn what you need to know with The Ultimate Aromatherapy for Beginners Guide here (free to members)

As always, consult a trusted healthcare practitioner before trying any essential oils.

See below for contraindications and age requirements before trying this blend.

Remember, children are given lower amounts - see dilution chart mentioned below and always mind age requirements of all oils.

Most oils/blends have a three week time limit of use. Because of this, I recommend having a waxing moon blend and a waning moon blend for every need. That’s why there are two blends for many of the same things.

Most oils/blends are best at a 2% dilution, but some oils are better at much less like peppermint, pepper, and cardamom. (Half of the adult dilution or less for children, see dilution info below).

Oils/Blends are typically meant to be used up to 3 times a day unless otherwise stated.

If an oil occurs throughout multiple blends you are currently using, this needs to be taken into account in terms of dosing frequency and length of time.

See all specific info for every oil of every recipe before using.

Never take essential oils internally.

When using diluted, prepared, aromatherapy blends, a few drops on the wrist or forearm is typically ideal. Use lower dilutions in perfumes and body lotions and any other product intended to be used in a high amount such as a lotion or perfume or room spray.

The Essential Oil

Note: Ideally we can avoid killing the insects or eggs and only repel them, but sometimes harmful invaders must be dealt with.

Fennel (sweet) (F. vulgare) - Insecticide, Larvicidal, & Insect Repellant which means it kills insects, kills eggs, and repels them. Fennel is the one recommended by American College of Healthcare Sciences specifically for pet/farm animal fleas.

Recommended Dosage & Length of Usage

Quoted from American College of Healthcare Sciences curriculum:

If your animals have fleas, fennel is effective as a repellent. Powdered fennel can be sprinkled around kennels and stables; you can plant the herb in the area; or spray the area with fennel essential oil diluted in water. Do not use directly on your pet. Consult with a veterinarian before using any essential oils on animals, especially cats.

Methods of use:

All methods of use as mentioned in the base recipes guide @ A Green Witch’s Journey which can be found here (free to members)
See the dilution ratios for adults & children here (free to members)

Cautions & Contraindications

A note about toxicity: toxic constituent refers to the constituent that can become a toxin in your body if used longer than the recommended time or used more than the recommended dosage.

Fennel (Sweet) - Its toxic constituents are methyl chavicol, anethole, fenchone, pinene, and phellandrene. Both sweet and bitter fennels are contraindicated orally for anyone with nervous system problems, epilepsy, or estrogen-related disorders, including estrogen-dependent cancer and endometriosis. Although fennel has historically been used for colic for infants, avoid fennel essential oil for infants or young children because of the possibility of laryngeal spasm, dyspnea, and its potential to overstimulate the nervous system. For infants and young children, use an infusion made with fennel seeds to dilute milk or juice instead. It is contraindicated during pregnancy. Do not use for more than three weeks. E-anethole is a phenyl methyl ether constituent found in fennel essential oil, comprising most of the essential oil. Methyl chavicol is a phenyl methyl ether constituent found in fennel essential oil. E-anethole, and methyl chavicol have demonstrated antiplatelet activity in research. It is important to check the levels of these two constituents in any fennel essential oil before use. Any essential oil with more than 5%, E-anethole or methyl chavicol should be used with extreme care and never orally where these conditions exist: anticoagulant drugs, surgery, childbirth, peptic ulcer, hemophilia or other bleeding disorders. Always check the safety precautions for each oil and follow the administration guidelines and dose and duration. Duration of exposure is as important as concentration. This is an important safety consideration throughout your studies. Always consider dose and duration whenever you use essential oils.

Age Requirements

Fennel: 6+

Waxing Moon Spell

Call in protection from fleas and biting pests.

Fennel shield, rise up for me.
Guard this home from bite and flea.
Let safety grow, let calm increase.
Waxing moon, bring strength and peace.

Waning Moon Spell

Drive fleas out and break their hold.

Fennel force, remove each flea.
No egg, no bite, no pest may be.
Leave this space and fade away.
Waning moon, clear out decay.

Label Printables

✨ Fennel Flea Ward Elixir (Adult Dilution)

2 × 3 inches - right click and save to download

4 × 6 inches - right click to save and download

✨ Bad Bug Banish Potion (Child-safe dilution)

Fennel Flea Ward Elixir