Fennel is a tall, hollow-stemmed herb with yellow flowers. According to Kathryn Watson of Healthline, it is originally from the Mediterranean but now grows all over the world and has been used as a medicinal plant for centuries. Fennel seeds can be dried and used to make a powerful and aromatic tea. Further, the tea has a licorice flavor, a relaxing aroma, and a slightly bitter aftertaste. Fennel tea is widely available in supermarkets and health food stores. Fennel has long been thought to improve vision, regulate hormones, aid digestion, and aid memory.
According to Danielle Dresden, many health claims have been made for fennel over the centuries, and drinking fennel tea is a well-established practice in traditional medicine around the world. Although Western science has not confirmed all of these benefits, humans have used fennel to relieve flatulence, promote urination, boost metabolism, treat hypertension, improve eyesight, prevent glaucoma, regulate appetite, clear mucus from the airways, stimulate milk production in nursing women, speed digestion, reduce gas, reduce stress, and detoxify the body.
Fennel seed, according to Northwest School for Botanical Studies herbalists, is an effective digestive aid. It can help the gastrointestinal system's smooth muscles relax, reducing gas, bloating, and stomach cramps. In fact, fennel seed tinctures or teas can be used to treat stomach muscle spasms caused by irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and other gastrointestinal conditions. According to a 2014 review by Shamkant B. Badgujar and colleagues, fennel tea is an antimicrobial and antiviral agent. If you have a cold, drinking fennel tea can help your body fight off the pathogens that are attacking your immune system. After a long day, a cup of hot tea is a great way to unwind, and adding fennel to the brew gives you an added health benefit. You may feel more ready for bed after drinking fennel because it relaxes your muscles, including your digestive muscles. Fennel was used in ancient remedies to treat insomnia.
Fennel, according to Kathryn Watson, has been used for centuries as a galactagogue — a substance that increases the quality and quantity of breastmilk in breastfeeding mothers. Some argue that the benefit of fennel hasn't been proven conclusively in this case. However, anecdotal evidence and even some medical literature support fennel's ability to provide this benefit. If you have an upset stomach, flatulence, or diarrhea, you should try some fennel tea. According to a 2009 study by Gurinder Kaur and Daljit Arora, the warm water of the tea may help with digestion, and fennel itself is known to help with digestive issues. According to the Arabian Journal of Chemistry, fennel tea also contains antioxidants, which your body requires to fight the harmful things in your environment to which you are regularly exposed. The antioxidants in fennel tea will bind to molecules in your blood that fight oxidative damage. This reduces the strain on your kidneys and liver, promotes new cell production, and even slows the aging process. Fennel tea is an ancient remedy for bad breath. This could be due to its antibacterial properties, which remove pathogens that cause bad breath.
Fennel, according to Danielle Dresden, is relatively mild, though some people may be allergic to it. It is also possible to overdose on fennel's extracted oils. According to some studies, fennel has an estrogenic effect, which means it mimics the effects of estrogen. Fennel tea should not be consumed by pregnant or breastfeeding women. People with estrogen-sensitive cancers should avoid using fennel as well. Estragole, a key component in fennel, has been identified as a potential carcinogen, so people with cancer or at high risk for cancer should limit or avoid drinking fennel tea. This ancient remedy is being researched, and we are learning more about how fennel can treat and heal our bodies. Fennel tea has the potential to be a safe and effective remedy for everything from digestive issues to insomnia for the majority of people. Introduce fennel tea into your routine gradually, taking note of any side effects it appears to cause in your body.
ZDS DMO II Marie-Claire Gaas, RND
References:
1. What Is Fennel Tea?
Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT — By Kathryn Watson — Updated on September 29, 2018
https://www.healthline.com/health/fennel-tea
2. Five benefits of fennel tea
Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT — By Danielle Dresden on October 9, 2017
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319651
3. Fennel
The Northwest School for Botanical Studies
http://www.herbaleducation.net/fennel
4. Foeniculum vulgare: A comprehensive review of its traditional use, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and safety
Arabian Journal of Chemistry
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1878535212000792?via%3Dihub
