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Botanical Name

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Morphology:

The plant is a annual, biennial or perennial, aromatic, stout, glabrous herb, 1.5 to 1.8 meters high, cultivated in Mediterranean countries, Rumania and India.

Fruit- cremocarp; consisting of two indehiscent carpels compressed called mericarps, which remains attached to a common stalk called carpophore, each mericarp showing five longitudinal ridges called primary ridges, alternating with furrows.

Rasapanchaka (Ayurvedic Pharmacodynamics)

Part used :     Fruit, Seed (used whole or grounded)

Chemical Composition:

On steam distillation of crushed fennel seed, 0.7 to 6.0 % volatile oil is obtained. Two types of oil are recognized in commerce - sweet fennel oil from the fruits of var. dulce and bitter fennel oil from the fruits of var vulgare. The taste and odor of sweet fennel oil are superior to those of bitter oil. The composition of the oil varies widely according to the variety or race from which the oil has been distilled and according to the region of origin. Indian fennel oil contains over 70 % anethole and 6 % fenchone. It possesses a sweet taste. The main constituent of the oil from the fruits of cultivated Foeniculum vulgare is anethole. Oils of good quality contain 50 to 70 % anethole. The high percentage of anethole (up to 90 %) and the absence of fenchone are responsible for its delicate sweet odor and flavor.

Medicinal properties and uses:

1. The leaves are reported to have diuretic properties. The roots are regarded as purgative; they have an aromatic odour and taste. The fruits are aromatic, stimulant and carminative. They are official in the pharmacopoeias of all countries and are considered useful in diseases of the chest, spleen and kidney.

2. Fennel has been found to stimulate appetite and to aid digestion. An infusion prepared by boiling a tablespoon of fennel seeds in 100 ml of water for half an hour, is highly beneficial in indigestion, biliousness, flatulence and constipation.

3. Fennel is one of the safest herb for colic, which helps the baby to release gas and relieve tummy.

4. Fennel is also believed to be beneficial for kidney stones, menopausal problems, nausea, obesity and increasing milk yield during breast feeding.

5. A compression made from an infusion of Fennel tea and placed on the eyelids is reputed to soothe inflamed lids and improve sight.

6. Fennel contains its own unique combination of phytonutrients-including the flavonoids rutin, quercitin, and various kaempferol glycosides-that give it strong antioxidant activity.

7. The anethole in fennel has repeatedly been shown to reduce inflammation and to help prevent the occurrence of cancer.

8. Fennel contains  crude fiber which helps in reducing cholesterol & removes carcinogenic toxins from colon, fennel bulb is useful in preventing colon cancer.

9. Fennel bulb is an excellent source of vitamin C .Vitamin C is the body's primary water-soluble antioxidant, able to neutralize free radicals and is required for proper functioning of the immune system.

10. As a very good source of  fiber  fennel bulb may help to reduce elevated cholesterol levels. And since fiber also removes potentially carcinogenic toxins from the colon, fennel bulb may also be useful in preventing colon cancer.

11. Fennel is a very good source of folate, a B vitamin that is necessary for the conversion of a dangerous molecule called homocysteine into other, benign molecules.

12. Fennel is also a very good source of potassium , a mineral that helps in lowering  high blood pressure, another risk factor for stroke and heart attack.       

Precaution:

In excess it stimulates menstruation in women and in very high doses, it can cause intoxication.

 Home Remedies:

1. Joint pain : Tie some saunf leaves in a cotton cloth. Warm them in a saucepan and apply on the affected parts when bearably hot.

2. Anaemia : Boil 6 tsp each crushed saunf and red rose petals in 1 1/2 teacup water and strainTake it  twice daily.

3. Stomach : For indigestion take 3-5g of  compound powder made of saunf ,  roasted jeera (cumin) and rock salt (as required) with warm water 3 times daily.

In diarrhoea and abdominal pain take 3-5g saunf powder with butter milk 3-4 times daily.

In case of loss of appetite take  powder  made of  roasted saunf , black pepper and rock salt in buttermilk. Decoction of saunf prepared after boiling one part (5g) saunf in four parts (20ml) water (till it reduces to about half the quantity) may be given to children at hourly intervals.

This helps in relieving  colic pain in infants .

4. Respiratory : To treat cough, gargle with warm saturated  solution of saunf water .

 Boil 2 tbsp saunf in 1 teacup water till it is reduced to half. Filter it. Take 1 tbsp every morning and evening for a few days.

5. Eyes : Fennel is a good cleansing solution for inflamed eyes. Make a decoction of 1tbsp saunf in 1/2 teacup water till it is reduced  to half. Filter. This filtrate when used to wash the eyes frequently is reported to strengthen   the eye muscles.

6. Obesity : Saunf is a fat-Buster. Saunf tea extracts all of fennel's medicinal goodness, and can be substituted for tea or coffee. boil 1 tsp saunf in 1 cup toned milk for 5 to 10 minutes. filter. Add sugar if necessary. Sip as hot as possible.

Summary:

Fennel is native to the Mediterranean region. For centuries, fennel fruits have been used as traditional herbal medicine in Europe and China. For the treatment of infants suffering from dyspeptic disorders, fennel tea is the remedy of first choice.

Fennel seed is antiseptic and secretolytic, that is, encouraging secretion of saliva and gastric juices. It also stops stomach cramps, often added to laxatives to ensure gentle action. Fennel seed teas break up congestion caused by colds and allergies. There are preliminary studies that suggest that regular consumption of fennel (as well as regular consumption of green beans, mushrooms, oranges, prunes, and celeriac) might slow the progression of osteoporosis.
Fennel seed powder has almost exactly the same taste and medicinal effect as whole fennel seed, except it tends to lose anethole. Powdering makes fennel a less estrogenic herb, that is, less likely to stimulate the production of estrogen in women, a characteristic that may be desirable or undesirable depending on the user.