Since ancient times, fennel has been used as a natural remedy to treat numerous health problems thanks to its many benefits. If you are not yet familiar with this wild plant and all it has to offer, pay attention. In this article, we tell you all about the properties of fennel and how to make the most of them.
What is fennel?
Fennel is a herbaceous plant that has been highly admired since ancient times (it was used as a natural remedy) thanks to its numerous health benefits. Although its origin is in Europe, this herb grows in temperate zones all over the world, especially on the Mediterranean coast. Fennel is widely used for its medicinal properties as an ingredient in cooking and in the cosmetics industry for the manufacture of beauty products. Properties of fennel in an infusion
Fennel has been used as a home remedy for centuries thanks to its health properties.The best way to take advantage of all the properties of fennel is to prepare an infusion with this plant. It can also be used as a seasoning in numerous dishes and recipes thanks to its flavor.
Below we explain in more detail both the benefits and contraindications of this aromatic plant.
Benefits of Fennel
- Digestive:both its seeds and the essential oil of fennel have diuretic and antacid properties that promote the elimination of gastric juices, help reduce fluid retention, decrease bloating, and improve digestion. Nutrient absorption. Therefore, it is highly recommended to drink fennel tea after a heavy meal. Quenches thirst: Fennel tea helps to hydrate and quench thirst. Therefore, it is perfect after an intense workout or during hot summer days. It is also widely used to stimulate appetite.
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Anti-inflammatory:Thanks to its antioxidant properties and its essential oils rich in ethanol, fennel can be used as a natural anti-inflammatory and as a remedy to treat fatty liver problems.
- Eliminates gas:Fennel has carminative benefits that promote the elimination of gas in the digestive tract. This helps, for example, to prevent colic.
- Boosts the immune system:thanks to its high Vitamin C content, a fennel infusion will help strengthen your defenses and improve your immune system.
- Likewise, its high Vitamin C and retinol content provides many benefits to the eyes.
For example, it helps reduce age-related macular degeneration and helps treat and prevent eyelid inflammation such as blepharitis or styes. For the latter, it is recommended to soak a gauze pad in a fennel infusion and gently dab it on the eyelid to relieve inflammation. It contains iron and amino acids that promote hemoglobin production. Therefore, it can be quite useful in treating and preventing problems such as anemia. Stimulates brain activity: Fennel is rich in potassium. This helps deliver more oxygen to the brain and stimulates neuronal activity. Reduces pain with spasms. Heals wounds: This is one of the reasons why this plant is so widely used in cosmetics for making creams. Fennel helps heal wounds and also reduces the symptoms and inflammation of mosquito bites.- Disinfectant:can also be used as an antiseptic
to disinfect wounds and fight bacteria.
Contraindications
Fennel in appropriate quantities has no contraindications. However, if we overuse this plant, it can lead to problems such as drowsiness or seizures. Similarly, it is not recommended for people with Parkinson's disease, those undergoing hormone treatments, pregnant women, children, or if you are taking other medications, as it can counteract their effects. In these cases, we always recommend that you consult your doctor before taking it. How to make Fennel infusion
Preparing a fennel infusion to make the most of the properties of this plant is really simple and quick. By the way! We recommend you take a look at our post about the properties of matcha tea, as it also offers a lot of health benefits. The first thing you should do is add 7 grams of fennel seeds (you can easily find them in any herbalist shop). 400;">in a saucepan with boiling water. Let it steep for approximately 15 minutesand then turn off the heat. After 10 minutes of steeping, strain the water and your infusion is ready. Instead of seeds, you can also use the bulbs or leaves of the fennel.
You can use this infusion to cleanse the body, treat colds and coughs, lower cholesterol, combat anemia, protect your eyesight, etc. As you can see, its uses are endless, and if you didn't already know about it, it's time to start adding it to your shopping list.
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