Fennel Seeds: 19 Health & Beauty Benefits You Need to Know

Fennel is an aromatic herb belonging to the parsley family. It is used as a spice and possesses a sweet taste that is similar to anise. It is an essential ingredient in the Mediterranean cuisine. It is native to the South European region but is consumed well in all of the European regions. It is a two meter plant with dark green leaves and yellow flowers.

Fennel seeds are generally eaten for the taste but also very healthy owing to the nutrition value attached to it. Fennel bulb is also eaten as a vegetable in some parts of the Mediterranean region.

KingdomPlantaeGenusFoeniculumSpeciesF. vulgareBinomial nameFoeniculum vulgareCommon NamesCommon fennel, sweet fennel, bitter fennel, carosella, Florence fennel, finocchio, garden fennel, large fennel, wild fennelIndian Names Saunf (Hindi), Peddajeelakarra/Sopu/sompu (Telugu), Perunjeeragam (Tamil), Perumjeerakam (Malayalam), Sompu/Badi-Sopu/Dodda Jeerige/Dodda Sompu (Kannada), Panmohuri/Mauri/Methe (Bengali), Variari/Warjari (Gujarati), Saunf/Badishep (Marathi), and Badi Saunf/Shathapushpaa (Punjabi)

Health Benefits of Fennel Seeds:

1. Strength:

Fennel is a symbol of strength and longevity. It was also believed by ancient Greeks to increase one’s courage.

2. Antioxidants:

Apart from being used for adding flavor, it is also used for various health benefits that are derived from its anti-oxidants. These anti-oxidants are essential to curb unwanted free radical reactions in the body. This phenomenon also prevents many diseases that can get serious at a later stage. Some of the anti-oxidants listed in these seeds are kaemoferol and quercetin that are known to prevent degenerative reactions.

3. Dietary fibres:

Fennel seeds contain a good amount of dietary fibre that is essential for the body. The fibre content helps improve digestion in the body, by facilitating timely breaking down of food molecules that make energy reactions possible.

4. Cancer:

The carcinogenic diseases should be treated at the right stage so that their effect can be curbed or eliminated in the future. This is made possible by the anti-oxidant capabilities of the fennel seeds.

5. Neurological diseases prevention:

Another effect of prevention of free radical reactions by fennel seeds – Neurological diseases are helpfully kept at bay.

6. Cholesterol absorption:

Cholesterol absorption in the arteries is prevented by the action of the fibre binding to the bile salts. Fibre present in fennel seeds decreases reabsorption of cholesterol thereby preventing any heart related diseases.

7. Oil compounds:

A number of volatile oil compounds like myrcene, fenchone, chavicol, cineole are present in these seeds that assist in digestive, carminative and anti-oxidant reactions in the body.

8. Red blood cells:

Production of Red Blood Cells is enhanced by the consumption of Fennel Seeds. Copper, which is required by the body for the production of red blood cells, is present in these seeds.

9. Growth and development:

The growth and development of the body is geared-up. Zinc, found in the fennel seeds, promotes regular growth and development.

10. Heart rate and blood pressure:

These days, when people face tensions in their day to day lives, it is very important to maintain the blood pressure and keep the heart rate balanced. Fennel Seeds help a lot in this process. The potassium content helps in maintaining the blood pressure and hence the heart rate is also maintained.

Beauty Benefits of Fennel Seeds:

We all want to have healthy skin and hair but the mere thought of money and time involved in a beauty regime is enough to put us off. But what if I told you that you can stay beautiful with the help of a tiny thing called the fennel seed?

Fennel seeds not only impart a special flavor to those gastronomic delights brewing in your kitchen, but can also be utilized for achieving a flawless skin and healthy hair. Yes, you got that right! Fennel seeds can be beneficial for your skin and hair. Fennel seeds are inexpensive and readily available. Loaded with minerals like iron, copper, selenium, potassium, magnesium, zinc and even vitamins like Vitamin C, Vitamin A and Vitamin E, fennel seeds are also known to be a rich store house of dietary fibres, active compounds and antioxidants.

Benefits of Fennel Seeds for Skin:

Fennel seeds offer amazing effects for the skin. Not only fennel seeds are antiseptic by nature, but also are loaded with antioxidants. As a result, they help prevent acne, cell damage, while keeping the skin toned. Using fennel seeds as a part of your skin care will help you delay the onset of lines, dark spots and wrinkles.

When you consume fennel seeds in one form or the other, you get glowing and flawless skin in return. Wondering about the skin care benefits of consuming fennel seeds? Here are the most amazing beauty benefits of saunf:

1. When consumed, fennel imparts a cooling effect to the skin. It soothes inflammation and skin irritation.
2. Fennel tea, when consumed on a daily basis, helps in improving the overall texture of the skin. It treats acne and makes your skin look youthful. While there is always an easier option of buying good quality readymade fennel tea, it is equally effective if you can make your own fennel tea by combining crushed fennel seeds and boiling water.
3. Loaded with anti-oxidant properties, it is useful in fighting the signs of aging.
4. Fennel seeds, when consumed daily, provide the body with minerals like iron, zinc, selenium and calcium. These minerals are effective in maintaining the oxygen balance, thus imparting healthy skin.
5. Fennel seeds serve your skin by providing various vitamins, which in turn provides younger looking skin.

So, whether you consume it in the form of herbal tea or as a mouth-freshener after usual meals, ensure that you include a considerable portion of fennel seeds in your regular diet. Alternately, you may use fennels while garnishing some of your favourite salad recipes.

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