Foeniculum vulgare (commonly known as fennel or saunf), is a member of Apiaceae family. It is an aromatic, perennial herb with yellow flowers and feathery leaves. Fennel seeds are oval shaped with greenish yellow color. Fennel is generally considered a native to Southern Europe and the Mediterranean region, now widely cultivated in most parts of the world. This licorice flavored, culinary herb is popular in cooking and for flavoring drinks.
Fennel contains good amounts of vitamin C, niacin, riboflavin, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, thiamine, calcium and some important active compounds such as histidine, anetol, cineole, fenchone and estragole. It is diuretic, antispasmodic, analgesic, galactgogue, carminative, antacid, appetizer, laxative, expectorant in nature. Regular chewing of fennel seeds after meals is known to cure dyspepsia, indigestion, vomiting and constipation. Owing to its medicinal and therapeutic values, fennel has earned a place in traditional folk medicines since time immemorial. Find here some of such folk remedies to get relief from day to day health problems.
Traditional Remedies with Fennel Seed
- In diarrhea: Dry roast about 100 g of fennel seeds and to it, add sugar in equal proportions. Powder the mixture and store in a dry air-tight container. In cases of diarrhea, administer a teaspoon 3-4 times a day.
- In heat stroke: Soak about a handful of fennel seeds in a glass of water overnight. Next morning, strain the water and add a pinch of black salt and sugar to taste. Having this drink is known to be effective in cases of heat stroke.
- In anemia: Prepare juice of beetroot (Beta vulgaris) with carrot (Daucus carota) and to it add ½ tsp of fennel seeds powder. Drinking a glass of the same is believed to help combat anemia.
- In colic: Boil a teaspoon of fennel seeds with ½ tsp carom (Trachyspermum copticum) seeds in ½ liter of water. Lower the flame cook the mixture for about 5 minutes. Allow it to cool. Strain and drink a cup of the same after meals.
- In bronchitis: Consuming equal proportions of fennel seeds with fig (Ficus carica) is known to relieve symptoms of cough and bronchitis.
- For nursing mothers: Add 2 tsp of fennel seeds in a glass of boiling water. Cover and let the mixture stand for ten minutes. Strain the same and add honey to taste. Having 2-3 cups of the drink everyday is believed to increase milk in lactating mothers.
- As appetizer: Mix equal quantities of powdered fennel seeds, carom (Trachyspermum copticum) seeds, dry ginger (Zingiber officinale), black cumin (Nigella sativa) seeds and salt. Store in a air tight jar and take ½ tsp of the mixture before meals.
- As eye tonic: Mix ½ tsp of powdered fennel seeds in a glass of carrot (Daucus carota) juice to strengthen optic weakness. For treating sore or puffy eyes, soak a tbsp of fennel seeds overnight and wash eyes with the same next morning.
- As mouth-freshener: Eating a tsp of fennel seeds in betel (Piper betle) leaf is commonly used as an after meal mouth freshener.
- For healthy skin: Boil 2 tsp of fennel seeds in about a liter of water for 3-5 minutes. This can be used for a steam facial to cleanse and rejuvenate dull skin.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Source:
- John K. Crellin, Jane Philpott, A. L. Tommie Bass. A reference guide to medicinal plants: herbal medicine past and present. Duke university press, ISBN 9780822310198, 1989.
- Acharya D, Sancheti G, Kitchen Garden: A clinic in your backyard, Positive Health, issue 140, October 2007.
- Wright CI, Van-Buren L, Kroner CI, Koning MM, herbal medicines as diuretics: a review of the scientific evidence. J Ethnopharmacol 114 (1): 1–31, October 2007
- Agarwal R, Gupta SK, Agrawal SS, Srivastava S, Saxena R. Oculohypotensive effects of foeniculum vulgare in experimental models of glaucoma. Indian J. Physiol. Pharmacol. 52 (1): 77–83, 2008.
Garima Sancheti - Dr Garima Sancheti is a PhD in Radiation and Cancer Biology from Rajasthan University, India. She has written various research articles in ...
