Fennel today is cultivated in Asia, China, and North America though it is native to Europe, especially the Mediterranean region. The scientific name for fennel is Foeniculum vulgare. It is a tall perennial plant. The leaves, bulb, and stalk of fennel are all edible and look much like white celery. The seeds are used in cooking and in making herbal products. Fennel has a sweet licorice taste.
Fennel has appeared in European history records for centuries. It grows wild in many parts of the world usually in dry soils upon river-banks or near the sea-coast, particularly on limestone soils. It is cultivated in the south of France, Galicia, Saxony, Russia, India and Persia. The odor of Fennel seed is pleasant and it has a warm, sweet and aromatic taste.
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 is especially known for its help in digestive ailments and has been used this way since the time of the ancient Egyptians. The chemical terpenoid anethole in fennel is the reason for its ability to calm the gastrointestinal tract and relieve cramps. Often it is mixed with caraway, peppermint, and wormwood to treat indigestion, heartburn, and IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome).
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 found fennel effective in loosening phlegm in the bronchials and in treating a persistent cough. To use fennel in this way, make fennel tea by crushing one or two teaspoons of fennel seeds and mixing them in a cup of boiling 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 an oil, seed, capsule, tincture, or liquid seed extract. You can also grow it yourself but keep it away from tomatoes or caraway as this will hinder their production. Use 2 to 12 drops of the oil, or 1 to 1.5 teaspoons of the seeds, or .5 teaspoons of the liquid daily.
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.
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