All about fennel > Fennel - Historical Notes

Fennel was the food of the gods used in attaining knowledge
In mythology, giant fennel was a food of the gods and whoever ate of it could achieve knowledge, according to a belief that dates back 6,000 years. Used by the Egyptians and the Chinese since the Bronze Age, fennel became a symbol of victory for the Greeks when they defeated the Persians at Marathon in 490 BC - in a field of fennel. The branches were woven into wreaths for important ceremonies.

The Romans grew fennel for its bulb, introducing it into England where the inhabitants preferred the seed to the vegetable itself.

According to medieval lore, nothing is more effective in keeping demons away than a handful of fennel thrown into the fire. It was one of the nine magical herbs that could be used as a defense against pain, as well as against malicious gossips! It was said to have the power to combat the evil properties of the numbers 3 and 30, to repel the devil's henchmen and to counteract evil spells. It thwarted witches and every vile creature. Its power was so great that nobles and peasants alike stuffed their keyholes with tufts of fennel leaves and hung branches above the doors to protect the house from the works of witches, especially those who came out to dance at the mid-summer solstice.