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submitted: Jul 31st 2008 | by: SusannahSinger | Total views: 1 | Word Count: 480 | |

Though native to Europe, especially the Mediterranean region, fennel is today cultivated in many other parts of the world, including North America, Asia, and China. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is a perennial plant. The leaves, bulb, and stalk of fennel resemble white celery and are all edible. The seeds are used in herbal medicines and as a spice in cooking. Fennel is widely used in Mediterranean cuisine and has a sweet licorice taste.

Fennel seed has a fragrant odor and taste. It has been used for centuries and may be found growing wild in many parts of the world, especially dry limestone soils near the sea-coast and upon river-banks. Today it is cultivated in the south of France, Saxony, Galicia, and Russia for medicine, as well as in the far east.

Fennel is a beautiful plant. It has a thick bright green root-stock, stout stems, and grows to be about four to five feet tall. The branched leaves produce bright golden flowers that blossom into thirteen to twenty rays in July and early August.

Some claim that eating the peeled stalks relaxes the body for sleep. The tender stems are enjoyed in soups, though are more frequently eaten raw as a salad.

Fennel has been used to treat digestive ailments since the time of the ancient Egyptians. The presence of terpenoid anethole in fennel is given credit for its ability to calm the gastrointestinal tract and relieve cramps. Often it is mixed with peppermint, caraway, and wormwood to treat indigestion, heartburn, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

Fennel has been effective in treating women's health issues such as stimulating menstruation and milk production in nursing mothers, and treating hormonal imbalance related to PMS, menopause, and low libido. Fennel enhances the effects of estrogen in the system according to one study. It will relax the uterus, and promote natural breast enhancement.

Some have used fennel as a decongestant to loosen phlegm in the bronchial passages. Fennel tea is also effective in some to reduce a persistent cough. To make this tea, crush 1 to 2 teaspoons of fennel seeds into a cup of hot water.

Fennel will also suppress the appetite thus promoting weight-loss. In addition it is shown to have some diuretic effect, and may help reduce retention of water.

Fennel can be purchased as seeds, an oil which was distilled, in a tincture, in capsules, or as a liquid seed extract. You can also grow it yourself easily but just don't plant it near tomatoes or caraway for this will hinder their production. The normal dose is 2 to 12 drops of the oil, .5 teaspoons of the liquid daily, or 1 to 1.5 teaspoons of the seeds.

A few cautions are in order. Some have reported allergic and asthmatic reactions to fennel. Don't give it to small children or take it for extended periods yourself. Don't take it if you are a pregnant or lactating woman either.

About the Author

Though this piece has described many advantages of the fennel seed, more are provided on our website: MoreThanAlive.com. Click the links to visit us and discover how whole fennel seed can benefit your body's health!

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