benefits of fennel seeds

Benefits of Fennel Seeds

41. Ayurveda and Fennel Seeds
Fennel seeds are known as Mishi in Ayurveda and have numerous health benefits. In Ayurveda, saunf is considered to be light, non unctuous, dry (ruksa) and cold. It is appetizer, carminative/purgative, an anti spasmodic, an anti emetic and a hepatic herb. It alleviates vata, pitta and ama dosa, promotes strength (Balya). Fennel seeds play a major role in Ayurveda for gas, stomach and respiratory related problems.
42. Eliminates cold and the inhaling of steam
Fennel seeds eliminates cold and the inhaling of steam from boiling fennel leaves provides relief in respiratory infections like asthma and bronchitis.Fennel improves milk production in nursing mothers.
43. make Fennel Tea
Drink two to three cups a day for relief of gastrointestinal issues like bloating, gas and indigestion. If the problem is severe or persistent, visit your doctor. Drinking fennel tea regularly helps in detoxifying body and helps prevents water retention. There are 2 methods to prepare Fennel tea.
44. As a Coolant
Fennel seeds work as a coolant and is popular in India to drink fennel seed tea as a home remedy to overcome heat during summers. Soak 3 tbsps of fennel seeds/saunf in half a cup of water for 2 hours. Strain the water and grind the seeds along with sugar candy or mishri. Add the strained water to the ground saunf mixture and pass through a sieve. Store the strained fennel seeds water in the refrigerator and serve chilled.
45. Fennel Seeds and Weight Loss
Fennel seeds are a natural appetite suppressant and help in weight maintenance and weight loss. Fennel seeds help suppress hunger and it has been used since ages during fasting periods.
46. confusion between fennel seeds and anise
There is a lot of confusion between fennel seeds and anise which are similar in appearance. Foeniculum vulgare is the botanical name of Moti saunf aka Fennel seeds and Pimpinella anisum is the botanical name of Patli saunf or Anise. The thin seeds or Anise are light green in color.
47. Traditional/Ethnobotanical uses
The name foeniculum is from the Latin word for
48. General uses
Fennel has been used as a flavoring agent, a scent, and an insect repellent, as well as an herbal remedy for poisoning and stomach conditions. It has also been used as a stimulant to promote milk flow in breast feeding and to induce menstruation. However, clinical evidence to support the use of fennel for any indication is lacking.
49. Toxicities
Fennel oil was found to damage DNA. Estragole, present in the volatile oil, has been shown to cause tumors in animals.
50. Habitat
The plant originated in the Mediterranean countries and it was introduced to Europe, North America and Asia in the middle ages. The leaves of the plant resemble feathers and the flowers are yellow in colour. The flowering of the plant generally starts during the peak summer period. In India, it is being cultivated in regions such as Punjab, Assam, Maharashtra and Gujarat.