The age-old secrets of health can be found in the simplest of ingredients in our kitchens. We just need to unveil them. Fennel Seeds are used in traditional rituals and celebrations as a symbol of Nature. In Ayurveda, Fennel Seeds are considered very beneficial. It is used to increase stamina and promote longevity, also used by nursing mothers in order to increase breast milk. Fennel Seeds are extensively used in Indian recipes.  It is an effective aid to digestion, treating bloating, gas, or cramps and also acts as a diuretic.  In foods and beverages, Fennel Oil and Fennel Seeds are used as flavoring agents.

Health benefits of Fennel Seeds:

1) Fennel Seeds for Constipation, Indigestion, Acidity, Bloating and IBS: Fennel Seeds are very useful in treating these disorders because it contains Estragole, Fenchone and Anethole. For those with IBS, the volatile oils found in Fennel Seeds can help kick-start digestion by promoting the production of gastric enzymes.

2) Managing Blood Pressure: Fennel Seeds are also a very rich source of Potassium, which is an essential component of cells and body fluids. Hence, it helps regulate heart rate and blood pressure.

3) Improves Eyesight: A handful of these seeds can do wonders for your eyesight as well.  Fennel Seeds contain Vitamin A, which is essential for good eyesight. The extracts of these seeds were used in ancient times to improve the symptoms of Glaucoma.

4)  Purify Blood: The essential oils and fiber in these seeds are very useful to flush out toxins and sludge from our bodies, thus helping to cleanse the blood and clear the skin.

5) Relieves Menstrual Pain: Fennel Seeds help in reducing menstrual pains, alleviates symptoms of menopause, shorten the length of the menstruation cycle, reduced period-related nausea due to the presence of estrogen.

6) Promotes Breast Milk Production: It has estrogen which increases Prolactin levels and increases breast milk production.

7) Reduces Hair fall: The antioxidants and nutrients present in Fennel Seeds strengthen the roots of your hair and give your follicles extra strength.

8) Reduces Cholesterol: It contains high amounts of fiber, which decreases re-absorption of cholesterol, and thus, lowers the risk of heart related diseases.

9) Improves Brain Functioning: Fennel Seeds are rich in potassium, which stimulates electrical conduction throughout the body.  Which in turn improves brain functioning and cognitive skills. It acts as a great brain booster and improves brain-based skills.

10) Improves Vision: It helps improve eyesight, alleviate high eye pressure, pink eyes, dry eyes, tired, watery eyes and almost all eye related problems.

Some Other Benefits:

• Gargling Fennel Tea can relieve inflamed gums and treat bad breath
• It eases muscular pain
• Fennel Water is used to relieve colic pain in newborn babies
• Fennel Water eases morning sickness in expecting moms
• Used as a spice in many different cuisines all over the world
• Sugarcoated Fennel Seeds (Saunf) have been used as a condiment after food to improve digestion

How to use Fennel Seeds:

a)  Fennel Tea: Extract of Fennel Seeds is not the same thing as fennel tea. Fennel tea is less processed and more likely to be pure and the measurable, beneficial impacts of fennel tea suggest multiple reasons for drinking it.

Here is a recipe for Fennel Tea:

• Take 1 teaspoon of dried Fennel Seeds per cup of tea and pour hot water over it
• Make sure you do not boil the Fennel Seeds as this will kill most of its nutrients
• Cover and let it rest for 10 minutes. You will get a light yellow infusion
• Drink it 2-3 times a day
• The best time to drink this tea is after meals to help treat digestion problems and its sweet taste, much similar to that of licorice, can serve as a wonderful after dinner treat

b) Fennel Water: Take one glass of water and add one tsp of Fennel Seeds and soak it overnight. Drink it early in the morning. This water helps in reducing acidity and constipation.

Do you want to know more about Fennel Seeds? Stay tuned for the second part on the Benefits of Fennel Seeds.

If you have your own special style of using Fennel Seeds, let us know in the comments below!

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