Fennel - Is Fennel A New Ancient Digestion Remedy?

Tweet

Fennel or Foeniculum vulgare (in Latin) often used on all Mediterranean areas is a long perennial plant with dill like looking leaves and strong stems which can grow up to 2m height.

Parts used are: seeds, roots and leaves.

Fennel Seed

Fennel seeds produce aromatic essential oils. Fennel contains volatile oil, flavonoids, sterols and coumarins. It has been reported that the essential oil from the seed has antibacterial, anti-fungal, antioxidant effects. Fennel also has phyto-oestrogens which increase the flow of milk in nursing mothers. Fennel seed tea can be used one cup between meals few times a day. Take 2-5 g of fennel seeds crushed in 150 ml boiled water for 10 minutes. Whereas in many countries fennel is grown religiously in gardens and used as a delicious sweetish aromatic tea, in some countries fennel is considered to be just a common weed. Yet, in Italy and France, fennel is a favorite herb used in salads, soups, grilled, roasted or for flavoring liquors.

Fennel Benefits

In addition being used in food and as a refreshing tea, fennel is also used to ease up with different conditions from using it as an eye-water and to increase milk flow in nursing mothers and especially for treating upset stomach and indigestion. Other benefits when using fennel:

• Appetite depressant
• Treat migraine headaches
• Relieves colic and flatulence
• Has calming effects on bronchitis and coughs
• Relieves bloating and abdominal discomfort
• As an estrogenic herb fennel promotes milk production
• Improves the complexion (cleanses the blood)
• Externally, the EO (essential oil) eases rheumatic pains.
• Used as tea for eyewash to treat conjunctivitis and tired eyes.

Fennel Dangers

Fennel is safe and effective herb and there are no side effects known when using fennel as herbal tea. However, pregnant or lactating women should avoid using fennel in oil preparation. It has been reported that in pregnant women, the oil can cause miscarriage.

Fennel Tea

While some claim that fennel is excellent food suppressant which is really good especially if you are a serious “watch dog” over your diet, the best part is that it seems like this aromatic fennel herb does help greatly when it comes to calming and treating indigestion, bloating, or colic.

Therefore, a tea cup or two (three would not harm) a day of this delicious ancient and natural digestion remedy after and or before a meal might be a great and a pleasant treat, soothing for stomach. You may shed those unsightly extra pounds away while enjoying warm fennel tea, worth trying at least for its delicious and refreshing taste.