Fennel's dried, ripe seeds and oils are used to make medicines. Try anise-like flavors in soups, salads, grains and vegetables. This is the whole seed. Fennel seeds are commonly used in the preparation of curry powder. It has an aromatic, sweet, and less spicy flavor that is often used in cooking as anise-flavored spices. It is most commonly used as mukhwas (freshener of the mouth).