Fennel

HABITAT

The fennel plant is aromatic perennial, erect, glabrous, 1-2 m high plant which is cultivated extensively throughout India up to 1830 m and also sometimes found wild. It is native to Southern Europe and the Mediterranean region but now has become widely naturalized in many parts of the world.

INTRODUCTION

It is an ancient Indian spice with culinary uses. Spices are usually hot in nature, but Fennel is an exception. It is a cooling spice with a sweet-bitter taste. The name Foeniculum is from the Latin word for “fragrant hay.” Fennel seeds have a crunchy texture on the outside with a mildly sweet flavor. It is also widely used as a mouth freshener. Fennel seeds are a storehouse of essential vitamins, nutrients and minerals like vitamin C, vitamin A, fiber, potassium, manganese, zinc, iron, and calcium.

BENEFITS

Vital for Bloating, Indigestion, and Constipation: Fennel seeds are used to manage flatulence. Fennel seeds have carminative property by which it regulates the movement of the smooth muscles of the intestine. This allows the trapped gas to dissipate thus relieving flatulence, heartburn, bloating and conditions like IBS and GERD. It is rich source of dietary fibre which is important for proper functioning of the digestive system. The fibre increases the bulk of your stool and pushes the stool smoothly, thus relieving constipation

Ayurvedic View: Fennel seeds (Saunf) can manage flatulence due to its Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) properties.

Fights Bad Breath: Most popularly known as a mouth freshener across the country, fennel seeds are a rich source of aromatic oils that help to fight bad odour. It increases the production of saliva in the mouth, which helps to get rid of the food deposits and aids in the digestion process as well. Anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial in nature, it helps to get rid of unwanted organisms that cause bad breath.

Reduces Menstrual Pain: Fennel seeds are commonly known as emmenagogue (a substance that stimulates or regulates the flow of menstrual blood). The phytoestrogens present in fennel seeds have been found to benefit women during menstrual disorders and irregular blood flow.

Ayurvedic View: Fennel seeds (Saunf) help to reduce menstrual pain in women by balancing the Vata Dosha.

Regulates Blood Pressure: Fennel seeds help in increasing the level of nitrite in saliva. Nitrite is a natural element that keeps a check on the blood pressure levels. In addition to this, fennel seeds are also rich in potassium, a nutrient that helps in naturally controlling the acid-base balance, regulates the heart rate, dilates the blood vessels, and stabilizes blood pressure.

Purifies Blood: The vital fibre and essential oils in fennel seeds are considered highly useful for flushing out sludge and toxins from our bodies, thereby, helping in cleansing the blood which further helps in optimum absorption of nutrients in the body. The polyphenol antioxidants in fennel seeds also have anti-inflammatory properties that help in fighting various bacteria and viruses, keeping you safe from various diseases.

Promotes Healthy Skin and Hair: Antiseptic in nature, fennel seeds are loaded with antioxidants that help to prevent acne and skin damage. Regular consumption of fennel seeds was found to be associated with delayed onset of wrinkles and pigmentation. It also helps to reduce inflammation, irritation and provides a cooling effect to the skin.

MECHANISM OF ACTION

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 the digestive system functioning smoothly. The oils help in kick-starting digestion by promoting the working as well as the production of gastric juices and enzymes, keeping the digestive tract healthy. Anethole has been shown to have a safe antithrombotic activity due to broad-spectrum antiplatelet activity, clot destabilizing effect and vasorelaxant action. Anethole has been considered to be the active oestrogenic agent, because of which, it can reduce the frequency of uterine contractions induced by the hormone.

CLINICAL STUDIES & REFERENCES

Sadeghpour N, Montaseri A, Najafpour A, Dolatkhah H, Rajabzadeh A and Khaki AA. Study of Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) seed extract effects on serum level of oxidative stress. Crescent Journal of Medical and Biological Sciences 2015; 2(2): 59-63.
Kazem YMI, Abdel-Moaty M, El Shebini SM, et al., Constipation, oxidative stress in obese patients and their impact on cognitive functions and mood, the role of diet modification and foeniculum vulgare supplementation.Journal of Biological Sciences.2017;17:312-319.
Garg G, Ansari SH, Khan SA and Garg M. Effect of Foeniculum vulgare Mill. fruits in obesity and associated cardiovascular disorders demonstrated in high fat diet fed albino rats. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences 2011; 8(8): 1-5.
Globalwalyy T.Home remedies for bad breath (Halitosis): cure bad breath at home.Platinum Dental Surgery.
El Bardai S, Lyoussi B, Wibo M, Morel N. Pharmacological evidence of hypotensive activity of Marrubium vulgare and Foeniculum vulgare in spontaneously hypertensive rat. Clinical and Experimental Hypertension. 2001;23(4):329–343.