Fennel seeds(Foeniculum vulgare) - Benefits

Fennel seeds(Foeniculum vulgare): Hindi - Saunf; Telugu - Sompu; Tamil - Shombu

Drinking a decoction made of fennel seeds soaked in warm water first thing in the morning could prevent you from catching swine flu.

Fennel , also called sometimes as 'sweet cumin' is an aromatic spice very widely used in Indian & Middle-eastern cuisines. Added to any dish, this spice accentuates its taste & flavor profile. Most importantly, its numerous medicinal values make it even more valuable.

Intestinal tract-Fennel water has properties similar to those of anise and dill water: mixed with sodium bicarbonate and syrup, these waters constitute the domestic 'gripe water', used to ease flatulence in infants; it also can be made into a syrup to treat babies with colic or painful teething. Long term ingestion of fennel preparations by babies is a known cause of thelarche.For adults, fennel seeds or tea can relax the intestines and reduce bloating caused by digestive disorders. Essential oil of fennel has these properties in concentration.Fennel tea, also employed as a carminative, is made by pouring boiling water on a teaspoonful of bruised fennel seeds.

Eyes and Breastmilk-In the Indian subcontinent, fennel seeds are also eaten raw, sometimes with some sweetener, as it is said to improve eyesight.There are historical anecdotes that fennel is a galactogogue improving the milk supply of a breastfeeding mother.

Blood and urine- Some people use fennel as a diuretic,and it may be an effective diuretic and a potential drug for treatment of hypertension.

Uses:

In illness-

Fennel has long been associated with digestion, and it is an ingredient, along with its fellow umbellifer, dill, of baby gripewater. (If a baby has colic, some boiled carrot and fennel water could help.)

In beauty-

An infusion of fennel seeds can be cleansing and gently toning for the skin.

Fennel is also very helpful for eye inflammations, puffiness and conjunctivitis. Boil 15 ml (1 tbsp) crushed fennel seeds in 600 ml (1 pint) water for a few minutes. Leave to infuse and cool then strain. Use in an eye bath and clean both eyes several times. If you do this several times a day, the problem should disappear fairly rapidly

In cookery-

Fennel is the herb most associated with fish: the feathery leaves are used in fish sauces, soups and salads; the dried stalks are often placed under a whole fish to be grilled on the barbecue.