Top 5 Health Benefits of Fennel Seeds!

Fennel is a sweet, anise-flavoured herb, where the bulb, leaves and seeds are all used in different ways.  It is grown in the Mediterranean and heavily used in Italian and Mediterranean cuisines, it’s also used in many parts of the world and can be grown quite easily. When you hear what benefits this wonderful herb can bring to your wellbeing, especially the seeds, you may well think to stock up. Fennel is an ancient perennial herb and belongs to the parsley family, along with dill, cumin and caraway. Stories about fennel have been reported on as early as the 1300’s, where it was known that King Edward I of England had this as a staple ingredient in his household.  There were firm beliefs that fennel seeds could protect against ghosts and they were placed in keyholes around the house -not something really practiced nowadays. Here are our Top 5 Health Benefits of Fennel Seeds! (no ghosts included)…

1. Digestion and weight loss
Fennel has been used as a digestive aid for centuries.  It can help IBS, bloating, stomach cramps and constipation with its fibre content. In terms of weight loss, fennel is a natural appetite suppressant and has been used historically to deal with hunger.  There are also suggestions that fennel accelerates metabolism in addition to aiding weight loss.

2. Congestion and coughs
Fennel seeds contain creosol, which is a chemical that can help loosen congestion and make coughs more ‘productive’ and therefore easier to manage.

3. Hormonal imbalances
Extracts of fennel have estrogenic properties that may benefit women who are experiencing menopausal symptoms. With the potential to be able to create a balancing effect on the reproductive system it is certainly worth a try if you can relate to these issues.

You can learn a bit more about the benefits of fennel plus an easy way to make tea with it in the video below:

4. Lowers blood pressure
Being a good source of potassium, fennel is believed to help lower blood pressure naturally. By reducing blood pressure, it is possible to reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack.  Do take this into consideration if you are already taking blood pressure medication though.

5. Boosts the immune system
Being high in vitamin C, fennel seeds can help build a stronger immunity and act as a great antioxidant. With the ability to assist in removing toxins from the body, fennel can reduce inflammation and improve your overall keep fit health.

In conclusion, fennel seeds, leaves or bulbs have a number of health benefits and are certainly worth including in your diet.  With so many fantastic recipes and drinks to choose from, it’s an easy thing to do!  A fennel tea could be just what you need to keep that unwanted snack craving at bay or even follow the simple habit of chewing some seeds to suppress hunger.  You may not need to ward off ghosts with it, but you can certainly enhance your overall wellbeing today! Want to share your thoughts on fantastic fennel? Tell us about it below or @KeepfitKingdom! 

Debbie Murphy

Debbie Murphy is a Nutritional Chef and Food Journalist who creates recipes and products for healthy eating.  As a qualified chef, trained in Nutrition and an experienced photographer, food blogs and styling are part of her life. Having trained at Leith’s School in London, Debbie is able to create some great dishes and diet plans and is passionate about anything good for our bodies! With a keen interest in exercise, she is a runner, cyclist and long distance dog walker, all in keeping with her love for being outside!

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