Fennel: what is it for, how to use it, contraindications and more!

The plant popularly known as Fennel is also called anise, because of its scientific name, pimpinella anisum. This herb has an intense flavor and aroma and is widely used in several countries, including Brazil, especially in the preparation of teas.

However, the spice is also present in liqueurs, oils and essences. In addition, it can be tasted in salads and as a seasoning for various dishes. Its use is therefore gastronomic, but above all medicinal.

It has anti-inflammatory, analgesic properties and fights flatulence, bloating and colic, and is also an ally against gastritis. Another use of Fennel is as an active ingredient in cosmetics and perfumery. Read the article to find out all the benefits and how to use this versatile herb!

Let’s learn more about Fennel, its origin and history, as well as its main benefits, characteristics and properties. Come check.

Fennel cultivation is ancient, dating back to the Mediterranean, around 4 thousand years ago. There are indications that this plant was used by the Egyptians for various functions, from medicinal to gastronomic.

As a spice, it was also popular throughout the Middle East. It was a prized plant in ancient Greece, and the Greeks attributed its origins as a gift from the gods. The Romans prepared fennel cakes to serve at wedding feasts as a digestive remedy.

This use is the origin of wedding cakes. Over the centuries, Fennel was spread throughout Europe. It arrived in Brazil during Portuguese and Spanish colonization in the Americas.

Fennel is a plant well known for bringing many health benefits. Among them, its performance against digestive disorders stands out, and it is mainly for this purpose that it has been cultivated since antiquity.

Its properties are analgesic and anti-inflammatory, also acting in the relief of colic and abdominal swelling, in addition to being a natural remedy for gases. Due to its calming effect, fennel helps against insomnia.

The leaves of the herb contain antioxidants, such as kaempferol and quercetin, which are essential for immunity, making their consumption favorable to maintaining general health.

Fennel is a vegetable that grows up to 60 cm in height, with an erect and smooth stem, with branches. This is a plant composed of split leaves, similar to fennel.

It produces small dry fruits of only one seed and germinates very small flowers, yellow or white. Fennel’s bulb is whitish and its stalk is light green, reminiscent of celery.

Its leaves are bright green in color and have a smooth texture. It exudes an intense aroma, which has made it, since antiquity, a highly prized spice for this characteristic, but also for having an equally striking, sweet and slightly bitter flavor.

Rich in potassium, iron, calcium, manganese, zinc, copper, vitamins A and C, B vitamins and fiber, Fennel is known to have several properties that make it widely beneficial for human consumption.

Among these properties, the anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-dyspeptic, antifungal, antioxidant, antiviral, spasmolytic, expectorant and also as an insect repellent stand out.

With a digestive purpose, it eliminates bloating and gas, fighting abdominal pain. It also prevents constipation and is effective in relieving headache and menstrual cramps. Its antifungal property acts against inflammations in the mouth and throat. As an expectorant it acts against phlegm and coryza, also relieving cough.

Fennel’s extensive beneficial properties make it an excellent natural remedy against a variety of problems, ranging from stomach upsets to colds and even insomnia. Next, check out what fennel is for.

One of the proven benefits of Fennel is the improvement of stomach pains, as we call abdominal cramps. Intestinal problems can be alleviated by fennel tea due to its calming and anti-inflammatory properties.

Fennel, in addition to bringing relief to pain caused by gas and cramps, stimulates digestion, regulating intestinal fluids, being effective even against diarrhea and dysentery. Herb properties also promote better absorption of nutrients, preventing gastric discomfort.

It is also a good ally against reflux. Fennel tea is an excellent digestive tea option, that is, to be taken whenever you overindulge in food.

Fennel tea has been used for centuries all over the world to reduce or relieve abdominal swelling. Its analgesic and calming properties help eliminate inflammation and gas and promote good digestion.

Regular consumption of Fennel, especially tea prepared with this plant, ensures smoother digestion, slowing down the process of absorption of food by the body.

This tea can even be prepared mixed with other herbs, in order to enhance its effects, preferably herbs such as boldo and espinheira santa, which also contribute to cleaning the liver.

The digestive process is greatly benefited by regular consumption of fennel. For this digestive purpose, give preference to teas, which are ingested after meals and which promote calming effects, in addition to anti-inflammatory and anti-dyspeptic action.

The presence of an acid called malic acid ensures that fennel contributes to healthier digestion, as this substance provides and regulates hydrogen optimally for stomach acidification.

Anethole is another substance contained in Fennel with a positive action on digestion, by reducing intestinal gas. Anethole, in addition, also has antifungal properties and acts to eliminate harmful bacteria.

In addition to the beneficial properties for the digestive system as a whole, Fennel is an excellent herbal option to treat headaches.

Because it has very effective analgesic effects, fennel tea is a great option to alleviate this pain, especially when it is tension-type or when it originates from overeating.

In fact, the consumption of this plant helps to relax the body in general. An interesting method of preparation for those who want to enhance the analgesic effects of Fennel is to mix, in the infusion, the herb with other analgesic plants, such as mint, boldo or ginger.

Among the various beneficial actions of fennel for the body, in addition to relieving digestive symptoms, action against muscle spasms stands out. This is because this plant is part of the spasmolytic herbal medicines.

Thus, its function in relation to spasms is to suppress muscle contraction, helping to relax, in this case, the muscles of the digestive system.

The positive contribution of Fennel to muscle spasms is especially through the essential oil extracted from this plant, present in herbal medicines, for example. Fennel tea also helps alleviate these symptoms due to its calming effects.

The action of Fennel tea proves to be positive to combat colic. Whether in the form of an essential oil or prepared as a tea, this plant is proven to be a natural remedy for cramps caused by poor digestion, also acting against menstrual cramps.

Fennel helps in regulating the menstrual cycle. In addition, the ingestion of tea or essence, when diluted and in low concentration, also treats PMS symptoms, due to its anxiolytic and relaxing properties.

However, fennel oil, as well as excessive tea intake, should be avoided by pregnant women or patients who have fibroids or endometriosis.

Inflammations and sore throats caused by allergies can be relieved by consuming fennel. The plant also has positive assets for the treatment and prevention of other oral problems, such as bad breath and the presence of fungi.

It is known that this plant contains anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties, in addition to having an antioxidant action, which makes it an ally against oral problems.

For the relief of sore throats, Fennel tea can be drunk or used to gargle, which is also positive for cleaning the mouth in general, due to its antiseptic properties.

The fight against colds and flu, in general, finds a potent natural ally in fennel. This plant contains several beneficial substances for the body and effective in promoting immunity.

Symptoms such as cough, phlegm and runny nose are reduced by ingesting fennel tea, which reduces mucus and calms the feeling of irritation or pain in the throat. In addition, the concentration of Vitamin C present in this plant helps in the recovery and prevention of this type of disease.

For this purpose, a good way to consume this tea is to prepare it mixed with other spices, such as cloves, lemon, cinnamon and honey.

Known as a natural tranquilizer, Fennel can be consumed with the purpose of combating insomnia and even anxiety. The presence of folic acid in Fennel helps in the relaxation effect and, consequently, helps in inducing sleep.

For this purpose, the recommendation is to drink the tea at night, preferably pure, that is, without sugar. Be careful not to ingest tea in large quantities, as it also offers diuretic action. Therefore, the ideal night intake is one cup.

People suffering from sleep disorders should see a professional to receive the most appropriate treatment instructions.

There are several ways to consume fennel. We will get to know the more traditional ways, such as tea and essential oil, used for herbal purposes. In addition, we will learn how to use this herb in cooking and as a room flavoring. Follow!

Fennel tea is an excellent request for several occasions. It can be consumed simply to be savored, when you want to take some time for yourself, for example.

The best thing is that its ingestion has several benefits for…