Fennel tea: what is it for, benefits, contraindications and more!

In general, fennel tea has very beneficial properties for health, acting above all as an antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, vermifuge and muscle relaxant. Soon, leaves and seeds can be used to help fight infections, intestinal constipation, menstrual colic and digestive problems.

There are also other ways to use fennel, through tincture and capsules. However, you need to be careful and consume tea with conscience so as not to bring harm to your health. In addition, this plant is contraindicated in some circumstances. Therefore, the ideal is to consume it under medical supervision or by a herbalist.

In this article, learn all about fennel, an aromatic herb also used worldwide in cooking to compose sweet and savory dishes. To learn more, find out below.

Fennel is a medicinal plant widely used in Mediterranean cuisine and is often confused with fennel, because its seeds and aromas are similar. However, there are differences that are easy to identify.

In this topic, we will discuss more comprehensively about fennel, its properties, which parts of the plant are usually used and how to prepare the tea, to extract all the benefits that this herb has. See below.

Originating in Europe and North Africa, fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is a medicinal plant widespread throughout the world, but its use is very common in the Mediterranean. The seeds have an aroma that many people confuse with fennel, but they have important differences, mainly in their composition.

Fennel, due to its numerous health benefits, has become widely studied by the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry. With the extraction of essential oil, today it is possible to use it to improve the appearance of the skin and to fight intestinal diseases, liquid retention and infections, for example.

The properties present in fennel, both in its leaves and seeds, have an anti-inflammatory, stimulating, antispasmodic, carminative, vermifuge, digestive, diuretic and expectorant action. This is thanks to vitamins A, C and complex B, in addition to being rich in mineral salts, such as calcium, zinc, iron, potassium and phosphorus.

Other components such as anethole, flavonoids, rosmarinic acid, saponins, coumarins and tannins are ideal substances to alleviate digestive problems, insomnia, muscle spasms and many other benefits.

The parts of fennel most used to make tea are: the seeds and leaves, which can be dried or fresh. Regardless of what will be used for infusion, all compounds will be extracted, but it is in the seeds that there is a greater concentration of nutrients and, especially, the aroma.

All parts of fennel are commonly used. However, due to the remarkable aroma of the seeds, they are generally used for the preparation of sweet dishes, such as cookies and cakes. The plants and stems are ideal for preparing meat and fish, in other savory dishes, such as sauces, the seeds can also be added.

It is very common to confuse fennel with fennel, as they are very aromatic herbs that can be used in the preparation of sweet and savory dishes. In addition, both are usually used from the stems to the leaves.

However, they have details that differentiate them, for their colors, fruits and thickness of their leaves. The flowers of fennel are yellow, the leaves are thin and the seeds are large and long, while those of fennel are white, the fruits are small and rounded and the foliage is wide and thick.

To make the tea you will need the following ingredients:

– 200 ml of water;
– 1 teaspoon or 5g to 7g of green leaves or fennel seeds.

Method of preparation:
In a pan, boil water, turn off the heat and add the fennel. Cover the container and let it infuse for approximately 10 to 15 minutes. Wait to stay at a temperature suitable for consumption and you can drink the tea 1 to 3 times a day.

The presence of vitamins, mineral salts, oxidants and other substances make fennel tea extremely beneficial for health and serves to fight infections, especially in the stomach and intestines.

In addition, it provides relief from abdominal pain and menstrual cramps and many other benefits. To better understand how fennel tea works in the body, check below.

The properties found in fennel tea have many health benefits, mainly by improving digestion and reducing abdominal pain. The plant acts in the body eliminating gases, excess liquid, in addition to helping to absorb nutrients from heavier foods that cause discomfort.

According to some studies, fennel tea can also help in cases of diarrhea or constipation, nausea, detoxification of the liver and the elimination of intestinal worms. However, if you are using any medicine for gastrointestinal diseases, the doctor should be consulted. Also, the treatment should not be substituted for fennel.

Fennel tea has assets capable of fighting infections caused by viruses, bacteria and fungi. This is because in its composition there are antibacterial, fungicidal and anti-inflammatory substances that keep the immune system protected against flu and worms and other types of pathogens that can attack the body.

Anxiety, stress and everyday worries tend to make it difficult to get a good night’s sleep. Therefore, drinking fennel tea can be beneficial in the treatment of insomnia, as the plant and seeds contain compounds that act in the body as a muscle relaxant.

Therefore, when drinking the tea, preferably 1 hour to 40 minutes after going to bed, the muscles, mainly in the abdomen, tend to relax, causing drowsiness.

Because it contains antispasmodic and relaxing properties, fennel tea is beneficial in the treatment of menstrual pain, as it relaxes the abdominal muscles and the contraction of the uterus, caused by the release of prostaglandin. Thus, in addition to relieving pain, it eliminates liquid retention and gases that also cause a lot of discomfort during this period.

Massaging the abdominal and pelvic area with fennel essential oil is also a very efficient way to reduce colic. When putting the oil in your hands, rub it well until it becomes slightly warm, as the heat increases blood circulation, relieving the pain in the area.

For those who have difficulties drinking the ideal amount of water, it is usually around 2 liters per day. Fennel tea is a great option, as it is hydrated and has a very pleasant taste. In addition, tea is a source of vitamins and nutrients that help the body to always remain healthy and free of infections and bacteria.

But remember: water is an essential liquid for your health. Always have a bottle nearby or throughout the day, set your alarm clock to remind you to take small sips, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Soon, combining with other drinks, you also avoid problems in the urinary system.

Very beneficial for health, fennel tea has antioxidants, such as flavonoids and alkaloids, which fight free radicals present in the body. In this way, the antioxidants present in fennel act in the renewal of cells, preventing premature aging and the emergence of serious diseases, such as cancer.

In addition to being very tasty, fennel tea has antimicrobial properties that alleviate bad breath, eliminating bacteria from the mouth and treating stomach ailments, which often cause halitosis. For this purpose, tea can be consumed when waking up or whenever you feel the need.

Chewing fennel seeds can also be an alternative to fight this disease that causes a lot of discomfort in everyday life, as in addition to bringing a refreshing breath, it helps to protect the mouth against the microorganisms that generate the disease.

However, it is very important to keep oral hygiene up to date and if the problem persists, look for a dentist to assess whether there is another problem.

As a result of the many benefits found in fennel, this plant has been widely studied by the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry.

Therefore, today there are other ways to consume and use this herb, either through tincture of fennel, capsules with plant extracts or essential oil extracted from its seeds. Check out the purpose and how to use fennel in different ways below. Read on.

Fennel essential oil is an alternative for those who want to use it on their skin to prevent dryness, as well as helping with lymphatic drainage, wounds and improving the appearance of scars. In aromatherapy, it is used to calm and balance emotions.

For health, fennel essential oil serves to prevent heart disease, gastrointestinal diseases, menstrual cramps and diarrhea. Consumption depends on the purpose, however, in general, it is recommended to take 2 to 5 drops mixed with coconut oil or olive oil, up to 3 times a day.

Fennel tincture is a way to consume the herb and is indicated to increase appetite, in addition to treating excess gas, intestinal disorders and poor digestion. You can take it from 1 to 3 ml, from one to three times a day, diluted in 50 ml of water.

However, as it contains alcohol in its composition, fennel tincture should not be ingested by women who do not intend to have children, as it may lose the contraceptive effect. Also, alcoholics, diabetics and people who have reflux should not use it.

Finally, another way to use fennel is through capsules. They are easily found in pharmacies or health food stores. Usually the dosage is 500mg and it is recommended to take 1 capsule 3 times a day, after main meals. Avoid chewing or opening, as the taste tends to be unpleasant, always drink with some liquid.

Like other medicinal plants, the consumption of fennel tea has contraindications, in addition to some precautions that need to be taken before…