Fennel Seeds

Fennel Seeds. Chances are that if you’ve ever eaten an Indian curry, then you’ve eaten Fennel Seeds.

What are Fennel Seeds and are they good for your health? Read on to find out.

What Are Fennel Seeds?

Fennel is a sweet-smelling herb originating from the Mediterranean basin. Both fennel bulb and seeds have a mild, anise-like flavour. But the flavour of the seeds is stronger due to their more powerful oil.

Fennel’s history dates back to Pliny, the Roman author and naturalist, who wrote the encyclopedia “The Naturalis Historia.” According to his findings, Fennel Seeds could help against 22 diseases – wow!

Today, Fennel Seeds are famous for their culinary uses (like in the Indian curries we mentioned earlier). At the same time, fennel and its seeds, are widely used for medicinal properties due to it’s antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects.

What Are The Health Benefits of Fennel Seed?

There are many incredible benefits of Fennel Seeds, and we’re going to share nine of them with you today:

Beneficial Nutritional Supplement

Fennel Seeds are rich in nutrients. They contain fibre, Vitamin C, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and manganese, and they are low in calories.¹

The complex of vitamins and minerals in Fennel Seeds help to support overall health. For example, Vitamin C maintains the immune system, repairs tissues and protects against free radicals. Manganese promotes enzyme activation, metabolism, bone development and blood sugar regulation. Potassium, calcium and magnesium improve bone health significantly.¹

Appetite-Suppressing Properties

Some studies revealed that Fennel Seeds, added to tea, might help us feel less hungry and consume fewer calories during the meal as a result. This property makes Fennel Seeds a natural and safe remedy to maintain a healthy weight.²

Along with this, Fennel Seeds are effective in regulating food intake and energy balance during obesity treatment.² In particular, Fennel Seeds are beneficial for body composition in postmenopausal women with excess weight.³

Digestive Health Maintenance

Fennel Seeds are used to treat many digestive problems, including heartburn, intestinal gas, bloating, and colic in infants.⁴

The seeds also possess antispasmodic and carminative effects that contribute to the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. Some findings show that Fennel Seeds may also help with diarrhea, constipation and ulcerative colitis.⁴

Respiratory Infection Treatment

Fennel Seeds contain phytonutrients that are effective in the treatment of various respiratory infections, including bronchitis, cough, and congestion.⁴

Some studies found that the seeds may even clear sinuses, leading to alleviation of asthma symptoms.⁴ However, some studies show that Fennel Seeds may cause an allergic reaction, which may exacerbate asthma, if the patient is sensitive to fennel compounds.⁵

High Blood Pressure Regulation

Fennel Seeds are rich in potassium, which is a key mineral, known to reduce high blood pressure. They are also considered to be a natural diuretic and help flush out excess water from the body through the kidneys. This leads to a reduction in blood pressure, without altering the heart and respiratory rates. Lowering blood pressure can minimise the risk of strokes and heart attacks.⁶

Anti-Cancer Effects

Fennel Seeds are a good source of anethole, Vitamin C, flavonoids and essential oils. These all assist in removing toxins from the colon and therefore may be helpful in colon cancer prevention.⁶

Fennel Seeds also play a role in preventing various strains of breast and liver cancers.⁶

Skin Health

What you probably don’t know, is that Fennel Seeds are a natural aid for skincare. This is due to the fact that the seeds are packed with vitamins, including Vitamin C - essential for maintaining good skin health and even promoting collagen synthesis, keeping the skin firm and tight.⁶

The seeds also possess antimicrobial properties which can help treat skin problems.¹

Menstrual Symptom Relief

Suffer from menstrual symptoms such as cramps? Fennel Seeds may help.⁷

Some studies found that Fennel Seeds may help ease menopause and postmenopausal symptoms too. What’s more, due to their estrogenic properties, Fennel Seeds may also promote fertility.⁸

Breastfeeding Benefits

Fennel Seeds possess galactogenic properties, which help increase milk secretion.⁹

Some studies found the usage of Fennel Seeds may cause increased milk volume, milk fat content, and thus infant weight gain.⁹ However, if a woman experiences any adverse effects or poor weight gain is reported in the infant, it is recommended to consult a doctor immediately.

Are Fennel Seeds Safe?

Fennel Seeds are generally safe to consume. However, like anything, they should be consumed in moderate amounts.

It’s important to note that Fennel Seeds may interact with certain medications, including estrogen pills and as mentioned, can be harmful to pregnant women in some cases. Therefore, before taking Fennel Seeds, it is suggested to consult your doctor or healthcare provider to avoid side effects.

Properties

Anti-Bacterial¹
Anti-Haemorrhagic¹
Anti-Inflammatory¹
Antimicrobial¹^,⁴^,⁵
Antioxidant¹
Antispasmodic⁴
Asthma⁴^,⁵
Blood Pressure – Reduction⁶
Bone Strengthening¹
Cancer Prevention⁶
Colic⁴
Constipation⁴
Cooling⁴
Cough⁴^,⁵
Diabetes / Blood Sugar²^,³
Digestive Function⁴ Diuretic¹
Expectorant⁴^,⁵
Flatulence⁴
Galactagogue (Increases Mothers’ Milk)⁹
High/Good Levels of Calcium¹
High/Good Levels of Flavonoids¹
High/Good Levels of Iron¹
High/Good Levels of Magnesium¹
High/Good Levels of Manganese¹
High/Good Levels of Phytochemicals / Phytocompounds¹
High/Good Levels of Potassium¹
High/Good Levels of Vitamin C¹
Immune Booster¹
Indigestion⁴
Kidney Support¹
Lactation Assistance⁹
Libido & Sexual Performance⁷^,⁸
Liver Health³
Menopause⁷^,⁸
Menstrual Cramps⁷^,⁸
Muscle Spasms¹
Phytoestrogenic⁷^,⁸
Respiratory Support⁴^,⁵
Skin Issues¹^,⁶
Weight Loss / Management²^,³

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