It is an
important medicinal plant that is used in the treatment of various ailments.
The botanical name for Fennel seeds is Foeniculum vulgare which belongs to the
Umbelliferae family. It is used as an ancient Indian spice. It is sweet,
aromatic, and less pungent. It balances three energies include Vata, Pitta, and
Kapha.
Latin - Foeniculum vulgare
English - Fennel seeds
Hindi - Saunf
Sanskrit - Madhura, Mishi
Punjabi - Sounf
Bengali - Mauri
Tamil - Sombu
Gujarati - Variyali
Marathi - Badi sopu
Malayalam - Perum jeerkam
Kannada - Badi sopu
Telugu - Sopu
Arabian - Rajiyanaj
Farsi - Rajiyan
Spanish - Hinojo
Assamese - Givamuri
Kashmiri - Saunf
Unani - Badiyaan
Greek - Marathon, Marathros
It is the
native of the Mediterranean region and it is cultivated in Australia, Asia,
Europe, and North America. It is widely grown in filed and gardens. It is
usually grown in humid regions. It is a perennial herb that grows in height of
2.5cm with a long, green, and hollow stem. Leaves are 40cm long and 0.5cam
wide. Flowers are produced in an umbel and it is about 5-15cm in width. Each
umbel contains 30-50 yellow color flowers. Seeds are green in color and oval in
shape with 5 small ridges. The flowering season is May to June and the fruiting
season is July to September.
On
chemical compound analysis of the fennel seeds, it includes
Trans-anethole
(31.49%), 2-pentanone (25.01), fenchone (11.68%), and benzaldehyde-4-methoxy
(8.01%), estragole (2.2-2.5%), α-pinene (3.8%), α-phellandrene (3.5%),
β-phellandrene (3.5%), β-pinene (0.7%), α-terpineol (3.2%), Myrcene (0.6%),
para-cymol (0.3%), campfer (0.3%).
Action:
TRADITIONAL VIEW:
According
to Ayurveda, it is considered that if the weight increases due to the ama, it
is toxins that remain in the body due to improper digestion. The use of fennel
seeds maintains the body weight by reducing the ama by its Deeepan and Panchan
properties.
It
increases breast milk by its Balya property. Take the required amount of fennel
seeds and boil it in a half-liter of water for 5-6 minutes and allow to cool
the water and add mishri powder for taste
Due to its
Deepan and Pachan property, it is used in children to treat flatulence. It
should be used in children who are above 6 years of age
It helps
to increase the flow of urine by its Mutral property
Due to its
Deepan and Pachan property, it helps to improve digestion.
Fennel
seeds increase our skin tone by balancing the Pitta activity and it also helps
to reduce pigmentation.
Modern view:
It has an antioxidant
property that fights against the free radicals and prevents the damage of cells
and gives glow to the skin and also reduces the skin aging process.
Soak the
cotton on the fennel tea apply this on the eye to reduce the inflammation on the
eyes
By chewing
the fennel seeds it helps to increase the production of saliva and inhibit the
growth of bacteria in the mouth and keeps the mouth fresh from odor
It helps
to reduce nausea and stomach upset by boiling the fennel seeds in water
SECRETOLYTIC PROPERTY:
Usually,
fennel breaks the secretion of phlegm and reduces the viscidity of the mucus,
and helps to clear the mucus in the lungs
ANTI-OXIDANT PROPERTY:
It has an antioxidant
property that fights against the free radicals and prevents the damage of cells
and gives glow to the skin and also reduces the skin aging process.
ANTI-MICROBIAL PROPERTY:
By chewing
the fennel seeds it helps to increase the production of saliva and inhibit the
growth of bacteria in the mouth and keeps the mouth fresh from odor
ANTI-DIURETIC PROPERTY:
It helps
to increase the flow of urine by its Mutral property
The dose
of the drug used according to physicians
Fennel seeds – ¼ to ½ teaspoon
Fennel seeds powder - ¼ to ½ teaspoon
Fennel seeds capsule- 1 to 2 capsule
Fennel seeds ark- for children (2-4 teaspoon)
above 6 years - (6-10 teaspoon)
It is not
recommended to use the fennel seeds in patients who have epilepsy because it
may cause a seizure
Flatulence:
Modern view: Due to its carminative property it
is used to manage flatulence by controlling the movement of smooth muscles of
the intestine.
Traditional view: Due to its Deepan and Pachan
property it helps to control flatulence
Weight loss:
According
to the Greek name of fennel is a marathon and which means to grow thin. Fennel
seed is considered a metabolic enhancer and speeds up the metabolism of fat and
helps to prevent the excessive accumulation of fat and reduce weight.
Breast enlargement:
Anethole
is one of the important constituents of fennel seeds which acts as a
phytoestrogen that result in the development of the breast. If you consume 3
months regularly you will see a difference in the breast size. For better
results along with fennel seeds take ashwagandha and Shatavari powder.
Increases breast milk:
It
increases breast milk by its Balya property. Take the required amount of fennel
seeds and boil it in a half-liter of water for 5-6 minutes and allow to cool
the water and add mishri powder for taste
The fennel
seeds come in various formulations includes
Dry fennel seeds:
Take the
required amount of dry fennel seeds which helps to treat digestion
Fennel seeds powder:
Take the
required amount of fennel seed powder and mix it with warm water. Drink twice
daily for 2-3 months
Fennel seeds capsule:
Take the
required amount of fennel seeds capsule and consume it with water after your
meals twice daily
Fennel seeds ark:
For
children (2-4 teaspoon) of saunf ark mix it with the same quantity of water
For adults
(6-10 teaspoon) of saunf ark mix it with the same quantity of water
Fennel seeds tea:
Take
1.5cups of water and add the required amount of fennel seeds and add crushed
ginger into it and allow to boil in a medium flame for 5-7 minutes this helps
to treat intestinal gas
Fennel seeds infused water:
Take 1 cup
of water and add the required amount of fennel seeds and allow to soak
overnight, drink this water in the morning as soon as you get up this
facilitates weight loss and control metabolism.
Are Fennel seeds available in the
market?
Yes, it is
available in the market and it can be brought from online websites or ayurvedic
medical stores.
How to store Fennel seeds?
It should
be stored in an airtight container and keep the medicines away from the heat
and light and Do not keep the medicines reaching out to children
How do you make Fennel seed tea?
Take
1.5cups of water and add the required amount of fennel seeds and add crushed
ginger into it and allow to boil on a medium flame for 5-7 minutes and you can
honey to improve taste this helps to treat intestinal gas