Fennel Seed Suppresses and Promotes |
| Written by Susannah Singer | |
| Thursday, 31 July 2008 | |
Fennel Seed Suppresses and PromotesThough native to Europe, especially the Mediterranean region, fennel is today cultivated in many other parts of the world, including North America, Asia, and China. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is a perennial plant. The leaves, bulb, and stalk of fennel resemble white celery and are all edible. The seeds are used in herbal medicines and as a spice in cooking. Fennel is widely used in Mediterranean cuisine and has a sweet licorice taste.Fennel seed has a fragrant odor and taste. It has been used for centuries and may be found growing wild in many parts of the world, especially dry limestone soils near the sea-coast and upon river-banks. Today it is cultivated in the south of France, Saxony, Galicia, and Russia for medicine, as well as in the far east. Fennel has a thick bright green root-stock and stout stems. The four to five feet tall plant has a certain beauty about it. The branched leaves bring forth bright golden flowers that blossom in July and early August each having thirteen to twenty rays. Some claim that eating the peeled stalks relaxes the body for sleep. The tender stems are enjoyed in soups, though are more frequently eaten raw as a salad. Fennel has been used to treat digestive ailments since the time of the ancient Egyptians. The presence of terpenoid anethole in fennel is given credit for its ability to calm the gastrointestinal tract and relieve cramps. Often it is mixed with peppermint, caraway, and wormwood to treat indigestion, heartburn, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Fennel has traditionally be used to stimulate menstruation and milk production in nursing mothers, and to treat hormonal imbalance including PMS, menopause, and low libido. One study showed that fennel enhances the effects of estrogen in the system. It is used to relax the uterus, and to promote natural breast enhancement. Fennel also helps with congestion problems by loosing phlegm in the breathing passages and treating a persistent cough. Give the patient fennel tea to do this, made by crushing 1 to 2 teaspoons of fennel seeds and mixing them in a cup of hot water. Some believe that fennel has some diuretic effect, and may help reduce a problem with water retention. Fennel for some reduces the appetite and is therefore effective in weight loss. Fennel can be purchased as an oil, seed, capsule, tincture, or liquid seed extract. You can also grow it yourself but keep it away from tomatoes or caraway as this will hinder their production. Use 2 to 12 drops of the oil, or 1 to 1.5 teaspoons of the seeds, or .5 teaspoons of the liquid daily. Isolated cases of allergic and asthmatic reactions to fennel have been reported. It should not be used by small children or over a long period of time by anyone. Also pregnant or lactating women should avoid fennel.
The Article Author:
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