Facts About Fennel

FENNEL

Fennel is the dried, ripe fruit of the perennial Foeniculum vulgare. Tall and hardy, this plant has finely divided, feathery, green foliage and golden yellow flowers. Oval seeds form in clusters after the flowers have died and are harvested when they harden.

Virtually all of the fennel plant is edible: the roots and stalks can be cooked and eaten as a vegetable; the stems chopped and added to salads;  the bulb eaten raw or cooked; chopped leaves used in soups, with fish or added to salads; fennel seeds are used in pickles, liqueurs, tomato sauces and sausages; fennel oil is used in candy, liqueur and perfume.

Flies are said to dislike fennel, and powdered fennel has been used to keep flies away in kennels and stables.

Ancients believed Fennel Seed was particularly helpful in eyesight. It was also believed to increase strength. In ancient Greece, it was considered a symbol of success. In more recent history, the Puritans referred to Fennel as the "meeting seed" as it was a favorite practice to chew the seeds during meetings. Today, Fennel Seed is widely used in India as an after-dinner breath freshener and also to help in digestion.

Fennel is native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean area. The name fennel originates from the Greek word for "marathon" which is the famous battle at Marathon in 490 B.C. where the Greeks fought against the Persians who fought on a field of Fennel.

Often mistaken for celery, this vegetable has a different taste that is quite similar to anise or licorice. Fennel is often grown for its seeds and oil from the leaves and used for various food flavorings.

The presence of terpenoid anethole in fennel has made it famous for treating digestive ailments since the time of the ancient Egyptians. It has the ability to calm the gastrointestinal tract and relieve cramps. Often fennel is mixed with wormwood, peppermint, and caraway to treat heartburn, indigestion, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

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.

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.

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.

Note these cautions. Pregnant or nursing mothers should not take fennel. Neither give it to small children, or take it for extended time yourself. A few cases of asthmatic and allergic reactions have been reported as well.

From  Foodreference.com and bulkherbbenefits.com