Fennel Seeds and their Uses, Benefits And Risks ďƒ˜Aren't fennel seeds the best refreshment for us Indians?
For us, fennel seeds are the same as mouth fresheners that we consume after our meals. But, there is a lot more to these rice-like shaped fennel seeds than just being a mouth freshener.
ďƒ˜Let us explore all about fennel seeds in detail now.
What are fennel seeds? Fennel is a culinary herb as well as a medicinal plant, which belongs to Foeniculum
Vulgare family, the same species of carrot, caraway and parsley family.
This aromatic herb is the dried seeds of the fennel plant, is white and pale greenish in
colour with feathery leaves having yellow flowers on it.
Fennel plants are believed to be natives of Mediterranean regions, but they are now
found, all over the world. And, India is known to be the largest exporter of fennel seeds globally.
Fennel seeds are most popularly known as saunf in India, and they are used as a spice
and possess sweet taste with a licorice-like flavour. It possesses a distinctive flavour and aroma because of the strong essential oils. Along with its culinary uses, fennel seeds are packed with a wide array of health benefits.
Nutrition Value of Fennel Seeds:
1 tbsp. of fennel seeds contains: Calcium: 69.37 mg
Riboflavin: 0.02mg
Calories: 31
Sodium: 5.1mg
Carbohydrates: 3.03g Iron: 1.08mg Magnesium: 22.33mg Niacin: 0.35mg Phosphorus: 28.25mg Potassium: 98.25mg Protein: 0.92g Zinc: 0.21mg
Thiamin: 0.02mg Total dietary fiber: 2.3g Total fat: 0.86g Vitamin
A: 7.83 international units (IU) Vitamin B-6: 0.03mg Vitamin C: 1.22mg
Fennel Seeds Uses: Fennel seeds are most probably in seed form, but many times are
grounded to become a powder and are used in spice mixes. Fennel seeds are used widely as a mouth freshener in India after
consumption of the meal. Fennel seeds are useful for tadka or tempering in pickles, chutneys
and dishes. Fennel seeds are also boiled and steeped in water and given to
children as colic-reliever. Fennel seeds are added to bread, soups, curries, desserts and
salads to enhance their flavour
Fennel Seeds Health Benefits: This sweet and pleasant scented herb has a lot of health benefits, have a look at some of those: Antioxidant: Antioxidants in fennel seeds prevent ageing and holds down the
redundant radicals from the body. And also prevent diseases that get critical on later stages. Blood Pressure: A study found that chewing fennel seeds helps keep blood
pressure in check. The seeds are a rich source of potassium, which helps control blood pressure and heart rate. Weight Loss: Fennel seeds if consumed regularly aides’ weight loss by improving
metabolism. Adding fennel seeds as a part of your daily diet will work wonders in losing weight. Digestive Health: The essential oils in seeds secrete digestive juices and enzymes
that ease and improve the digestive process. It helps reduce bloating, heartburn, IBS, GERD etc.
Fennel Seeds Health Benefits: Breastfeeding: Fennel seeds are known to have galactogenic
properties that help increase breast milk production and promote lactation. Cholesterol: The presence of fibres in fennel seeds decrease
cholesterol re-absorption and prevent heart diseases. Good Skin: Fennel seeds possess vitamins that help skin glow more
and make you look younger. Fennel tea is best for treating acne and providing with smoother skin.
Possible Side Effects of Fennel Seeds:
ďƒ˜Fennel seeds act like estrogen, so do not use fennel
seeds for conditions like breast cancer, endometriosis, ovarian cancer etc., which may get worsened because of estrogen. ďƒ˜Fennel seeds are harmful when someone is allergic to
plants like carrot, celery or mugwort.
Make sure to add this incredible herb in your everyday meals. You can use fennel seeds and lakhnavi fennel seeds in your daily in or after meals consumption.
You can buy both from Vasant Masala Online Store. Vasant Masala is a leading spice manufacturer that provides 100% pure and authentic spices online and in stores.
To know more, visit: Fennel Seeds- Uses, Benefits and Risks