Fennel seeds are an excellent super-herb that has been used for centuries for both culinary and medicinal purposes.
Fennel is grown extensively across the planet but is native to Europe, The Middle-Eastern, China, India, and Turkey.
This fennel plant grows up to about 6 feet in height with deep green feathery or lacy leaves and produces golden yellow flowers.
The seeds of the plant are tiny and oval shape, about 3-4 mm long and have a light brown or gray color with fine stripes over their surface.
Fennel seeds are harvested when the seed heads turn brown.
The fennel bulb which is used as vegetable, is closely related to and has the similar properties and taste (sweet anise flavor) to fennel seeds.
Fennel seeds are available year around in stores and markets in the form of seeds or in processed powder form.
Store fennel seeds in a clean air-tight glass container or bag and store in cool, dry and dark place. Grounded fennel seeds should be used within a few months as it loses its flavor quickly.
General uses of Fennel Seed
• Cough, cold & sore throats
• Immune support
• High cholesterol
• Liver detoxification
• Colitis
• Indigestion
• Flatulence
• Colic pain and indigestion for babies
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Increase breast milk in nursing mothers Insomnia
• High blood pressure & stroke
• Glaucoma
• Arthritis – both Osteo and Rheumatoid
• Alzheimer's disease and dementia
Healing Properties and Benefits of Fennel Seed
Fennel seeds have many health benefiting nutrients, compounds, anti-oxidants, minerals and vitamins that are known to help prevent and treat disease.
Most commonly, fennel seeds contain high amounts of flavonoid anti-oxidants like kaempferol and quercetin.
These anti-oxidants help to protect your body from cancers, infections, heart disease, high cholesterol, stroke, aging and other degenerative diseases.
Their powerful anti-oxidant properties make it also a powerful anti-inflammatory which prevent oxidation and inflammation; thus preventing many chronic conditions such as colitis, Crohn's (inflammatory bowel) disease and arthritis.
In India it is common to chew fennel seeds after meals to facilitate digestion – they help prevent and treat flatulence, expelling gases from your stomach.
They contain numerous essential oil compounds such as anethole, limonene, anisic, pinene and cineole which have digestive, carminative, and anti-flatulent properties.
The oils in fennel seeds help facilitate proper absorption of nutrients in your stomach and intestines. The oils also contain anti-acidic properties.
Fennel seeds are also concentrated with minerals like copper, iron, calcium, potassium, manganese, selenium, zinc, and magnesium.
In addition to minerals, they contain important vitamins including Vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin C as well as many B-complex vitamins like thiamin, pyridoxine, riboflavin and niacin.
Fennel seeds can not only help prevent and treat constipation but can also act as a laxative with their high fiber content.
They help clear your bowels and their stimulating effect helps maintain the proper peristaltic motion of your intestines.
Fennel seeds when used in a tea have also been known to ease and regulate menstruation.
Fennel seeds have also been know to strengthen the eyes & hair, relax the body, sharpen the memory and have a cooling effect when one becomes over-heated.
Studies have also shown that Fennel may also inhibit the formation of certain tumors caused by cancer-causing chemicals.
Ayurvedic Properties of Fennel Seed
In Ayurveda fennel is used as an expectorant, carminative, stomachic, stimulant, diuretic and antispasmodic to treat coughs & colds, indigestion, abdominal pain, cramps or gas, difficult or burning urination, children's colic and low agni.
Fennel is also used in Ayurveda for its disinfectant and antibacterial properties. They can be used (chewed) as mouth fresheners, toothpastes and antacid remedies.
Fennel is an effective diuretic used to help remove toxic substances from the body and relieve rheumatism and swelling.
Tastes – Fennel seeds are sweet and pungent in taste.
Energetics – Fennel seeds are cooling. They are sattvic in nature and balance Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Fennel seeds are also calming to the nerves and promote mental alertness. They symbolizes longevity, courage, and strength
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