Fennel seed is the fruit of Foeniculum vulgare – or what we commonly known as fennel – a flowering plant in the carrot family. Native to the Mediterranean, these aromatic seeds are used in several cuisines around the world. Fennel seed has an oval shape and once dried takes on a greenish-brown color, which gradually fades to gray as the seeds age. Due to their similar sweet as well as subtle licorice-like taste, fennel seed is often confused with anise.
Fennel seed is believed to be a digestive aid. It’s used to make tea and capsules sold for this purpose, and in India and Pakistan, fennel seed is commonly roasted and eaten after a meal with fresh breath as an added benefit.
Fennel is an aromatic herb belonging to the parsley family. It is used as a spice and also possesses a sweet taste which is similar to anise. It is said that Roman soldiers used to chew fennel seeds for strength. It is used both as a spice for beverages and veggie preparations and as a post-meal digestive aid and refreshment. Fennels leaves are also used in curries in many parts of India. Listed below are some of the popular benefits of consuming Fennel Seeds:
1. Constipation
Fennel seeds, mainly in powdered form, can act as a laxative. The roughage helps to clear the bowels, while it’s stimulating effect helps maintain the proper peristaltic motion of the intestines, thus helping promote proper excretion through the stimulation of gastric juices and bile production. Fennel is also commonly found in medicines that treat abdominal pain, diarrhea, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and other intestinal issues.(1)
2. Helps Regulate Blood Pressure
Research published in the Journal of Food Science, found that chewing on fennel seeds helped increased the nitrite content in saliva, making it wonderful natural way to keep a check on blood pressure levels. Apart from this, fennel seeds are also a very rich source of potassium and since potassium is an essential component of cells and body fluids, it helps control your heart rate and blood pressure.
3. Good for Constipation, Indigestion, IBS & Bloating
Tea prepared from fennel seed is considered very useful to help indigestion, bloating and constipation because of the oils found in these seeds. Fennel seeds contain estragole, fenchone and anethole, which contribute to the plant’s antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties. For those with IBS, the volatile oils found in fennel seeds can help kick start digestion by encouraging the production of gastric enzymes. For its multitude of gastrointestinal benefits, fennel tea is sure to help the digestive tract be healthy and happy.
4. Breast Enlargement
The flavonoids present in fennel seeds help to increase the amount of estrogen thus acting as a stimulant and tonic. Fennel seeds help increase the size of the breasts as they increase the formation of new cells and tissues in the breast.
5. Helps Prevent Cancer
Fennel has been used for centuries in Chinese medicine to deal with inflammatory conditions like insect bites or sore throat. Fennel contains oil called anethole that has been shown in certain research to be a natural cancer remedy, helping to reducing the growth of breast cancer cells. It is supposed that anethole reduces inflammation that may lead to the development of cancer, though further research is necessary to determine how it can be used exactly.(2)
6. Improves Colic
Infant colic, although it is a relatively benign medical condition, it may have a major impact on new parents. Most parents of a colicky infant would perhaps try nearly anything to calm their crying child.
Dicyclomine hydrochloride is a medicine used for colic have some serious side effects and may not be reliably effective. Researchers have found that fennel seed oil effective to reduce pain and increase motility in the small intestine, making it can excellent natural remedy for colic. Therefore including fennel seed is also one of the best options to cure this problem. The safest way to use it to treat infant colic is for a breastfeeding mother to drink fennel tea.(3), (4)
7. Great for Acne
Fennel seeds when consumed on a regular basis provide the body with valuable minerals like zinc, calcium and selenium. These minerals are considered helpful to balance hormones and in helping up the oxygen balance. When consumed, fennel has a cooling effect on the skin, hence giving a healthy glow. Regular consumption of the fennel seed is beneficial for skin health.
8. Brain Function
Potassium, found in high levels in fennel bulbs and seeds, is an electrolyte, and helps to facilitates increased electrical conduction throughout the body. This includes connections within the brain, which is an authentic switchboard of electric currents. Potassium helps increase brain function and cognitive abilities through this quality. Also, fennel is a vasodilator, which means more oxygen reaches the brain and neural activity can work at optimal functionality.(5)
9. Menstrual Disorders
Fennel is also an Emenagogue, which means it comforts and normalizes menstruation by properly regulating hormonal action in the body. Additionally, fennel is used in a number of products to reduce the effects of PMS, and it is also used traditionally as a soothing pain reliever and relaxing agent for menopausal women.
10. Respiratory Disorders
Fennel is found useful in several respiratory disorders like congestion, bronchitis, and cough due to the presence of Cineole and Anetol which are expectorant in nature. Fennel seeds and powder help to break up phlegm and prompt loosening of the toxins and buildup of the throat and nasal passages for elimination from the body and quicker recovery from respiratory conditions.(6)
11. Eye Health
Macular degeneration is one of the leading causes of age-related vision loss. Though the exact cause is unknown, antioxidants that reduce inflammation like certain flavonoids, vitamin C, and zinc may help improve vision or slow the progress of the disease.
Fennel consists of considerable amount of vision-saving nutrients. Due to its high flavonoid, vitamin C, and mineral content it help reduce oxidative damage and inflammation, and may help prevent macular degeneration.(7)
12. Help reduce postmenopause symptoms
Fennel, An anise-flavored herb “Fennel” used for cooking, has long been known for its health benefits for a variety of health issues, including digestion and premenstrual symptoms. A new study confirms that it is also effective in the controlling of postmenopause symptoms such as hot flashes, sleeplessness, vaginal dryness, and anxiety, without serious side effects. (8)
How to Use Fennel Seeds for Skin
Recognized for its healing as well as recovery qualities, fennel seed includes a wide application within the beauty industry. You can use it very easily in your own home to deal with the skin problems within the following ways:
1. Fennel Seed Skin Toner
Take a number of fennel seeds and also combine it with boiling water. The solution ought to be allowed to cool down. Then, add a few drops of fennel essential oil on the mixture. Filter it. Dab it in your face with the aid of cotton balls as often as you possibly can during the day. The skin feels thoroughly rejuvenated.
2. Fennel Seed Steam Facial
Add 1 spoon of fennel seeds to one liter of boiling water. Lean over it and cover your head and neck with a towel for 5 minutes. Let your facial skin benefit from the fennel steam to really make it look clean and radiant. You can do this two times a week to clean the pores and make the skin glow.
3. Fennel Seed Face Mask
Prepare fennel seed infusion with the addition of a spoon of fennel seeds to half a cup of boiling water. Watch for Half an hour and add the solution to a spoon of oatmeal and spoon of honey. Make a smooth batter and use it in your face. Let it rest on for 20 minutes. Clean off with lukewarm water.
Precautions
No matter how natural a thing is, caution is essential with regards to anything you use on the body. You have to avoid using fennel seeds as part of your beauty regime if you’re allergic to fennel seeds. Moreover, you have to talk to your doctor before you decide to consume fennel seeds in case you are pregnant, a breast-feeding mother or you are susceptible to hormone-sensitive conditions.
Taking care of your skin and hair isn’t as tough as you think! With some kitchen elements you are able to pamper the body and let its beauty shine through. So, don’t keep yourself starved for the pampering it deserves! Try fennel seeds and remain beautiful!
Pregnant women should avoid using restorative amounts of the herb, nor the essential oil.
Women along with estrogen dependant cancers, like breast cancer, should avoid it as well.
Epileptics and people with kidney problems should also stay away from fennel essential oil.
Certain components of essential oils including Anethol, and few chemicals contained in fennel, could be dangerous if ingested excessively, since the compounds, which could kill bacteria and microbes in lower doses, can be harmful. It can induce difficulty in breathing, increase palpitations and cause irregular heartbeat.
