Often placed near the exit of an
Indian restaurant is a tray of small coloured candy. These are coated fennel
seeds.
Chewing fennel seeds after a meal
is a common practice in India. They aid in digestion and also freshen the
breath. Known in Hindi as saunf, fennel is
often used in Indian recipes.
Historically, fennel has been utilized for
treating indigestion, constipation, respiratory issues, eye problems, colic,
menstrual disorders, anaemia, diarrhoea and flatulence. Fennel contains a
variety of anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, and dietary fibre. Fennel seeds
are a good source of vitamins B-3 & C, potassium, magnesium, manganese, and
iron. 100 grams of fennel seeds provide almost 40 grams of dietary fibre. A
majority of this fibre is metabolically inert insoluble fibre, which helps the
increase bulk of food by absorbing water throughout the digestive system and
alleviating any constipation. The fibres which are found in fennel seeds
remove toxins as well as cancerous substances from the intestines.
The unique health benefits of fennel may be used in number of home
remedies:
· For colds, take ½ tsp of fennel
powder with a pinch of sugar as a tea.
·
For a fever, take 1 cup grape juice
with ½ tsp fennel powder and ½ tsp cumin powder.
·
For gas, make a mixture of equal
parts of roasted fennel, cumin, & celery seeds. Chew ½ – 1 tsp of this
mixture after meals and then swallow with a cup of warm water.
·
If a breast-feeding baby has no
appetite, make fennel tea. Steep 1 tsp of fennel seeds in a cup of water that
has been heated over the stove. Cool and feed the baby 1 tsp of this tea every
10 to 15 minutes.
·
For nursing moms who need to increase
lactation, boil ½ litre of water and add 2 tsp of fennel seeds. Allow to cool,
then strain, and add ½ tsp of raw honey to taste. Drinking 2 – 3 cups daily is
ok for nursing mom.
·
For cases of heat stroke, soak a
handful of fennel seeds in water overnight. Strain the water and add a pinch of
salt before drinking.
·
To promote bowel movements, chew 1
tsp of roasted fennel seeds after meals
·
Helpful in curing urinary tract
infections in women.