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Herbal Treatments: Fennel
Parts Used:
Systems Affected:
Properties:
Seeds.
Intestines, Stomach, Lungs
Fennel is a Mediterranean herb with a subtle licorice flavor. Its cool, refreshing taste combined with its powers as a digestive aid make
fennel just the right food to serve at the finale of a heavy
meal. Traditional Italian-American families still observe the
ancient custom of closing a meal with the crunchy, celerylike stalks of
fennel.
While the stalks are delicious, the dried, ripe fruits are the portion of the plant most used for healing. The fruits are so tiny, they're often referred to as seeds. These "seeds" contain a concentrated amount of a powerful oil that has been shown to relieve muscle spasms in laboratory animals. This antispasmodic property is probably what makes fennel such an effective remedy for flatulence.
Along with being a sex drive enhancer, Fennel was traditionally used as a dieter's herb, too. People in medieval times chewed the seeds to suppress their appetite. Scientists have found that fennel doesn't directly affect weight. However, its stomach-soothing properties can be a big help when the body is adjusting to dietary changes. Fennel seed helps maintain the tone of the stomach muscles and fight infection in the gastrointestinal tract. Perhaps that's why you'll find fennel in many weight loss products.
The best way to prepare fennel beverages is as a tea or decoction made from the dried seeds that are at least one year old. Seeds are readily available on the spice shelf in supermarkets. Add 1/2 ounce of the seeds to a pint of water and boil slowly, covered, for half an hour. Keep the cover on, and let the brew cool. Drink the decoction cold, 1 teaspoon at a time, up to 2 cups a day.
While the stalks are delicious, the dried, ripe fruits are the portion of the plant most used for healing. The fruits are so tiny, they're often referred to as seeds. These "seeds" contain a concentrated amount of a powerful oil that has been shown to relieve muscle spasms in laboratory animals. This antispasmodic property is probably what makes fennel such an effective remedy for flatulence.
Along with being a sex drive enhancer, Fennel was traditionally used as a dieter's herb, too. People in medieval times chewed the seeds to suppress their appetite. Scientists have found that fennel doesn't directly affect weight. However, its stomach-soothing properties can be a big help when the body is adjusting to dietary changes. Fennel seed helps maintain the tone of the stomach muscles and fight infection in the gastrointestinal tract. Perhaps that's why you'll find fennel in many weight loss products.
The best way to prepare fennel beverages is as a tea or decoction made from the dried seeds that are at least one year old. Seeds are readily available on the spice shelf in supermarkets. Add 1/2 ounce of the seeds to a pint of water and boil slowly, covered, for half an hour. Keep the cover on, and let the brew cool. Drink the decoction cold, 1 teaspoon at a time, up to 2 cups a day.