Benefits and side effects of Fennel and seeds

Did you know that because of its property of reducing appetite, fennel was used by soldiers in combat periods and by monks to endure fasting?

Fennel is a wild plant with many medicinal properties. It is also used in cooking and in the preparation of cosmetics. This article explains how to take it to enjoy its health benefits.

Fennel regulates cholesterol levels and hypertension. It also helps prevent the development of arthritis, gingivitis, irritable bowel syndrome, stomach upset, depression and anxiety.

What is fennel?

Fennel is a medicinal plant of the family of umbels. With many applications in home remedies, it is an excellent ally for intestinal health.

Fennel is a very highly branched, highly aromatic perennial, up to 120 cm tall, with leaves and beige feather flowers, grouped into umbels. It is very common in ditches, seeded field boundaries and edges of lowland forests.

The seeds are harvested towards the end of the summer, and occasionally also the roots and leaves. The seeds of fennel contain an essential oil, rich in anethole and with proportions of other substances such as estragole. The leaves contain flavonoids and the root contains coumarins.

Medicinal properties of fennel

Fennel is a powerful medicinal plant that stands out for its action in:

• Balancing the functions of the digestive system.
• To fight effectively against the disorders of the stomach and indispositions after a bad digestion.
• Reduce swelling
• Prevent flatulence.

For its effective action and its mild taste, it is particularly indicated to administer to children and babies suffering from:

• Bowel discomfort.
• Cramps.
• Colic.
• Flatulence.
• Stimulate their appetite.

For this, simply add a few drops of a simple infusion of fennel in the bottle of bottle.

At the same time, fennel is a good natural resource to facilitate evacuation and combat constipation.

It also promotes the emission of urine and therefore people with a tendency to obesity are advised because of water retention.

In addition, it purifies the urinary tract, promoting the elimination of toxins and preventing the appearance of infections, such as cystitis, urethritis or oliguria.

Fennel is an ally of pregnant women because of its effectiveness in relieving nausea and dizziness during pregnancy. For the breastfeeding mother, it stimulates milk production.

Expectorant and anti-inflammatory, this plant is very effective in cases of ocular and oral inflammation, including gums.

Fennel is also considered:

• carminative.
• Stomach tonic.
• Agent stimulating digestion.
• Agent reducing the blood cholesterol level.
• Antioxidant.
• Antianemic.
• Diuretic
• Expectorant.
• Antitussive.
• Hair tonic.

Benefits of fennel

To be effective, fennel treatments must be maintained long enough in each case. The main benefits of eating fennel are:

Great ally of digestion; It is useful in case of indigestion or heavy digestion, states of embarrassment or fatigue, and helps to relieve gastrointestinal spasm.

It stimulates the appetite and helps quench thirst in the summer.

Combined with plants that enhance its action helps stop diarrhea.

Helps eliminate gas, flatulence, meteorism, bad taste in the mouth and bad breath (bad breath). It can be administered without fear to babies when they are suffering and crying because of gas.

Increases diuresis, so it may help with water retention, edema or overweight retention.

Effective in cases of hypertension due to its diuretic effect (especially the root), but in this case, it is better to associate with hypotensive plants such as hawthorn.

Presents some regulatory action at the hormonal level. It is indicated in case of insufficient menstruation or painful periods, and to treat premenstrual syndrome (in this case in combination with other more specific herbs).

It promotes the production of breast milk and, in this sense, breastfeeding women are advised to opt for breastfeeding.

An excellent support in the climate to combat some of its symptoms, such as lower back pain, water retention and gases.

Eye baths are intended to relieve inflammation of the eyelids or blepharitis.

Mouthwashes or rinses of the fruit decoction are intended to relieve inflammation of the gums and reduce inflammation of the throat.

Leaf remedies are used externally on wounds, scratches, insect bites, etc.

Fennel fruits have antioxidant properties.

It is used to fight anemia because of its high iron content.

Fennel promotes the elimination of body fluids, which is very appropriate in cases of obesity, rheumatic and heart diseases associated with the accumulation of water in the body.

In case of bronchial inflammation or cough, as well as when the chest is loaded, this plant is very suitable for its expectorant values.

Soothing sensation of nerve oppression in the upper part of the stomach.

It is used in cases of glaucoma because it reduces intraocular pressure.

Relieves the irritation of tired eyes, glaucoma, styes, etc.

Poured into the bathtub, causes relaxing effects.

It is also used to treat hair loss.

Fight bad breath if the seeds of this plant are chewed after each meal.

Friction with fennel oil can be helpful in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

3 natural fennel remedies

Fennel has multiple applications in natural medicine and is a powerful ally for health.

Herbal tea for swollen belly

To take advantage of the carminative virtues of fennel to treat problems of gas and heavy belly, herbalists recommend a mixed formula prepared by combining the seeds of fennel with other carminative plants such as anise, caraway and coriander, with reinforcement star anise.

How to prepare:

A tablespoon of the mixture of plants is boiled for 3 minutes in a cup of water, expandable to two tablespoons per half liter of water in case of acute gas. It should be sipped, hot, throughout the day.

Infusion to purify the urinary tract

Herbalists are proposing a new formula in which 25 g of fennel and star anise are combined with 15 g of horsetail, birch, dandelion, lemon balm and walnut leaves.

How to prepare:

2 tablespoons of the mixture should be boiled for 2 minutes per half liter of water. Let stand for 10 minutes, filter and drink whenever you feel thirsty.

To relieve tired eyes

It is possible to try an infusion of fennel to which salt is added, which is applied by dipping cotton and giving a soft touch to the closed eyelids.

Contraindications of fennel

In general, fennel is a fairly safe plant, which can be administered without fear even to the youngest and the elderly. However, several factors must be taken into account.

In large doses, anethole and estragole, components of the essential oil of fennel, behave as neurotoxic. In severe cases, taking pure essential oils at inappropriate doses can result in drowsiness, arrhythmias, and seizures. Overall pure oil is not recommended orally during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or to children under 12 years and to people with irritable bowel syndrome, gastritis, epilepsy, Parkinson, etc.

In any case, it is best to take it always well diluted. If you have questions, consult your trusted herbalist. Cooked fennel, diluted as an infusion, decoction or tincture, has no adverse effects.

Frequently asked Questions

What are the fennel seeds?

The seeds of fennel are its fruits, which have an oval shape and a brown color. Its flavor is sweet, similar to that of green anise and licorice.

How is the fennel infusion prepared?

Tea or infusion of fennel is prepared with the seeds, and the proportion that should be used is two teaspoons of fennel seeds per cup of tea.

First, put the fennel seeds in a mortar and crush them a little. Put them in a saucepan to heat the equivalent of a cup of water and when it reaches boiling add the crushed seeds, extinguish the fire, cover and let stand for 10 minutes.

After this time, you can filter to separate the leftover seeds and drink the resulting liquid.

How many cups can be taken per day and when?

Ideally, take a cup of fennel infusion half an hour before meals, as this remedy with fennel seeds stimulates digestion, improves and relieves discomfort caused by gas and flatulence. It is possible to take 3 cups of this infusion per day.

Sources

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov : Can Estragole in Fennel Seed Decoctions Really Be Considered a Danger for Human Health? A Fennel Safety Update
[2] https://www.organicfacts.net : 15 Impressive Fennel Benefits
[3] http://www.stylecraze.com : 19 Amazing Benefits Of Fennel Seeds For Skin, Hair, And Health