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Benefits of Fennel seeds (saunf)


Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) seeds are considered quite useful for relieving various ailments, ranging from congestion and stomach gas to asthma and diabetes. The seeds contain powerful phytonutrients and antioxidants.
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is an aromatic herb from the carrot family (Apiaceae) with both gastronomical and health benefits.
It is grown for its edible shoots, leaves, and seeds. Apart from its health benefits saunf has an important use as a spice.
Fennel seeds are often interlinked to ‘longevity’ and are known for offering a wide range of nutritional properties that aid in improving the well being of a human body. Moreover, fennel seeds offer a concentrated source of different minerals that are vital for the regulation of blood pressure as well as for the retention of water inside our body.
The secrets of health of our ancestors can be found in the humblest ingredients in the kitchen. Saunf seeds is one such wonderful ingredient imbued with dense nutrients that we need to reveal them. Saunf or fennel, the aromatic spice needs no special mention as it is one of the prominent spice used extensively for its indispensable medicinal and culinary practices.
The aromatic spice is the most sought after in Indian and Mediterranean cuisines across the globe. In India, it is a common practice to chew a few saunf seeds soon after a scrumptious meal, not only because it freshens the breathe but the bursting amounts of nutrients in the fennel stimulate the digestion process, treat flatulence and indigestion issues.

Helps Regulate Blood Pressure:

A study published in the Journal of Food Science, found that chewing on fennel seeds helped increased the nitrite content in saliva, making it a great natural way to keep a check on blood pressure levels. Apart from this, fennel seeds are also a very rich source of potassium and since potassium is an essential component of cells and body fluids, it helps control your heart rate and blood pressure.

Fennel Tea for Constipation, Indigestion, IBS & Bloating:

The tea is considered very useful to help indigestion, bloating and constipation because of the oils found in these seeds. Fennel seeds contain estragole, fenchone and anethole, which contribute to the plant's antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties. For those with IBS, the volatile oils found in fennel seeds can help kick start digestion by promoting the production of gastric enzymes. For its multitude of gastrointestinal benefits, fennel tea is sure to help the digestive tract be healthy and happy.

Fennel Seeds Reduce Asthma Symptoms :

Fennel seeds and their phytonutrients help clear sinuses. Sinus is a condition in which the cavities around the nasal passages become inflamed. They make a great tea to aid with bronchitis, congestion and cough as they have expectorant properties.Drinking fennel tea, regularly helps flush out excess fluids as it works as a diuretic. In addition, fennel seed helps remove toxins and reduces the risk of urinary tract problems. It also has diaphoretic properties that stimulate perspiration.

Vital for Bloating, IBS, Indigestion, and Constipation

Fennel seeds can act as a vital source for curing constipation, bloating, and indigestion as they contain essential oils like anethole, fenchone, and estragole that contributes to the anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties. These elements help significantly in breaking down the food in the body, and keeps your digestive system functioning smoothly. People who suffer from IBS would highly benefit from the fennel seed extracts. The oils help in kick-starting digestion by promoting the working as well as the production of gastric juices and enzymes, keeping your digestive tract healthy.

Helps Purify Blood:

The essential oils and fiber in these seeds are considered very useful to flush out toxins and sludge from our bodies, thus helping to cleanse the blood. It is very important to include foods in your diet that help cleanse your blood, to ensure there is smooth absorption of nutrients.

Great for Acne:

When fennel seeds are eaten on a regular basis, they provide the body with valuable minerals like zinc, calcium and selenium. These minerals are very helpful to balance hormones and in helping up the oxygen balance. When consumed, fennel has a cooling impact on the skin, hence giving a healthy glow.

Keeps Cancer Away:

Reduces risk of cancer
The seeds also have very powerful free radical scavenging properties that help beat oxidative stress and protects the body from various cancers of the skin, stomach and breasts. Fennel seeds have a very potent chemo modulatory effect too.
In Ayurveda, fennel seeds are considered very auspicious. They were extensively used in various recipes in ancient India. The age-old secrets of health can be found in the simplest ingredients in our kitchens. We just need to unveil them.

According to Ayurveda:

Fennel seeds reduce all 3 Trodosha (Vata, Pita, Kapha). The seeds have a cooling effect on the body. It is a good idea to consume a fennel seed drink during the scorching summer, to relieve heat from the body. The oil found in the seeds is carminative in nature, hence it is used in massage blends, especially in Ayurveda to calm the nerves and promote mental clarity.

Improves Eyesight:

A handful of these seeds could do wonders for your eyesight too. Fennel seeds contain Vitamin A, which is important for eyesight. In ancient India, extracts of these seeds were used to improve the symptoms of glaucoma.

How are fennel seeds or saunf (Foeniculum vulgare) used?

it is chewed as a mouth freshener as well as a digestif.
The leaves or seeds, boiled in barley water, and drunk, are excellent for a nursing mother.
Fennel is used to break flatulence, rouse urine, and eases the pain caused by stone and helps break it.
The seeds, boiled in water help to get rid of hiccups, cough and soothe the stomachs of the sick and feverish.
The leaves, seeds and roots are used for a drink or a broth for weight loss.
Fennel not only helps in proper digestion, but also has the capacity to reduce bad breath and odour that originates in the intestines.
Traditionally made fennel tea was considered to be a good eyewash.
Fennel is crispy and somewhat sugary, adding an uplifting contribution to the increasingly popular Mediterranean cuisine.
It is used in baking, particularly in rye bread and sweet pastries.
In Italy, they are often used to make sausages.
In India, fennel seeds are one of the ingredients of the common Bengali cuisine spice blend panch phoran, which also contains cumin, mustard and fenugreek seeds
Fennel seeds and fennel powder is used in various curries of Kashmiri cuisine.
The essential oil from the seeds is added to perfumes, soaps, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
Fennel oil, seeds or extracts are also used to flavor prepared foods including meats, ice cream, candy, baked goods and condiments.
It is also used for liqueurs like sambuca, non-alcoholic beverages and toothpaste.
In traditional medicine, fennel was used as an aphrodisiac and to encourage menstruation and lactation.
Fennel seed and oil are approved by the German Commission E for short-term treatment of dyspepsia, flatulence and upper respiratory catarrh.
It’s oil is reportedly antioxidant, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, and stimulates gastrointestinal motility.

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