Eupatorium capillifolium (Lam.) Small ex Porter & Britton

Unlike the common fennel known as a kitchen spice, dog fennel (Eupatorium capillifolium) is a herb of the Asteraceae family that grows wild up to 2 meters tall and is native to the eastern coast of North America down to the Bahamas. Its genus name commemorates King Mithridates VI Eupator, known for studying the medicinal properties of Eupatorium plants. In Florida its leaves are commonly used to relieve arthritis, while in various parts of North America preparations from it are used to treat insect bites.

Grows easily in moist soil, in full sun but with some shade during summer. Tolerant of dry soil. Can grow at temperatures around 18 °C. Commonly planted in home yards and along roadsides.

• Tuber round and white.
• Stem rigid, finely hairy, greyish-brown, with green twigs, releasing a distinctive scent when broken.
• Leaves compound and cross-arranged, needle-like, 30-50 cm long, light green.
• Flowers small, numerous and clustered into a pyramid shape, pale reddish-white.
• Seeds dark-colored with a rounded, hairy tip.

• Propagated by seed sown in a cool location. In nature, the seeds are usually dispersed by wind.
• Flowers bloom from September to November.

Essential oil (camphene, limonene, terpinolene, myrcene, 2,5-dimethoxy-p-cymene), alkaloids, terpenoids, coumarins, flavones, tannins, quinones, saponins, steroids.

Addresses digestive problems, arthritis; acts as an antidepressant; relieves burn symptoms; treats insect or reptile bites; antifungal.

• Take dog fennel leaves and weigh the initial weight. Then wash thoroughly.
• Dry by tying the leaves in a bundle and hanging them under the sun.
• Dry from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.
• Once dried to a moisture content of 10%, store in a clean, airtight container.

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