by Ruth Belena

Created on: August 13, 2008

Fennel seeds are the dried fruits of Foeniculum vulgare, and have effectively been used in herbal remedies since ancient times. The ribbed oval-shaped seeds are greenish grey and all parts of the Fennel plant have a delicious aniseed aroma.

There are many benefits to health to be gained from fennel seed, but as fennel contains compounds which act like estrogen, women suffering from breast cancer or uterine cancer should avoid taking it in large quantities. Epileptics and pregnant women are not recommended to use fennel seed essential oil.

- Promoting Weight Loss -

Fennel seed can actively help in losing weight. It stimulate the body's metabolism, which helps to burn more calories.

By increasing energy levels, fennel seed can help to prolong physical activity when exercising and working out.

Fennel seed encourages the digestive system to work at a faster rate, so food is digested promptly and removed from the body before all the calories can be absorbed.

As an appetite suppressant, drinking a cup of fennel tea half an hour before a meal will take the edge off your appetite.

Because the seed is anti-spasmodic, drinking fennel tea, sweetened with a little honey, will inhibit hunger pangs between meals.

Fennel tea can be made using pure fennel tea bags, or by adding a cup of boiling water to one or two teaspoons of seeds which have been slightly crushed or bruised.

- Aiding Digestion -

The oil distilled from fennel seed acts as a purgative and is used as an ingredient in some herbal laxatives.

Fennel tea is very effective in relieving flatulence, bloating, indigestion and stomach cramps, if taken up to three times a day.

A natural gripe water can be made with fennel, and it is a safe and gentle remedy for colic in babies. A cup of fennel tea should be left to cool, then mix in one teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate and a tablespoon of agave syrup. The mixture should be well shaken, and one teaspoon given to the baby. The rest can be used later.

- Further Health Benefits of Fennel Seed -

[1] It is a natural diuretic and kidney tonic, so drinking fennel tea will increase the flow of urine and flush excess water and toxins from the body.

[2] It is a good source of Vitamin C. The seeds also contain fiber and complex carbohydrates.

[3] It can help respiratory ailments. One to three drops of fennel oil in a teaspoon of honey will soothe the throat, control coughing, loosen and expel mucous from the chest.

[4] It can be made into an eyewash for sore eyes, and to relieve conjunctivitis. An infusion of fennel seeds, strained and left to cool, should be soaked into cotton pads and placed over the eyelids for 10 minutes.

[5] It can be a cleansing ingredient when used in a facial steam.

Few herbs have as many diverse uses and benefits to health as the fennel, and particularly its wonderfully aromatic seed.

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