Fennel Seed Suppresses and Promotes

Though 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 has been used throughout European history. It may be found growing wild in many parts of the world in dry soils near the sea-coast and upon river-banks, particularly on limestone soils. For medicinal use, it is cultivated in the south of France, Saxony, Galicia, and Russia, as well as in India and Persia. The odor of Fennel seed is fragrant, its taste warm, sweet and aromatic.

Fennel is a beautiful plant. It has a thick bright green root-stock, stout stems, and grows to be about four to five feet tall. The branched leaves produce bright golden flowers that blossom into thirteen to twenty rays in July and early August.

Some enjoy cooking the stems in soups or eating them raw in salads. Some say that eating the peeled stalks helps them sleep.

Fennel is especially known for its help in digestive ailments and has been used this way since the time of the ancient Egyptians. The chemical terpenoid anethole in fennel is the reason for its ability to calm the gastrointestinal tract and relieve cramps. Often it is mixed with caraway, peppermint, and wormwood to treat indigestion, heartburn, and IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome).

Fennel has aided many woman with health issues. It will relax the uterus and promote natural breast enhancement. Fennel is also used to treat hormonal imbalance which causes PMS, menopause, and low libido, and to stimulate menstruation and milk production in nursing mothers.

Some have used fennel as a decongestant to loosen phlegm in the bronchial passages. Fennel tea is also effective in some to reduce a persistent cough. To make this tea, crush 1 to 2 teaspoons of fennel seeds into a cup of hot water.

Fennel also has a reputation for being an appetite suppressant and thus it is used to promote weight-loss. Some studies have shown that fennel has some diuretic effect, and may help reduce water retention.

You can purchase fennel in capsules, as an oil, as seeds, in a tincture, or as a liquid seed extract. Of course, you can also grow it yourself. If you do, don't plant it in the vicinity of tomatoes or caraway for this will hinder their production. Use 1 to 1.5 teaspoons of the seeds, 2 to 12 drops of the oil, or .5 teaspoons of the liquid daily.

A few cautions are in order. Some have reported allergic and asthmatic reactions to fennel. Don't give it to small children or take it for extended periods yourself. Don't take it if you are a pregnant or lactating woman either.

By: Susannah Singer

Though this article has described many benefits of the fennel seed, more are detailed on our website: MoreThanAlive.com. Click the links to visit us and learn how whole fennel seed can benefit your body's health!

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