One food product that can be made from fennel seeds and oil is tea. When boiling the fennel seeds in water, the oil from these seeds will come out and subsequently blend well with water, converting the water into a tea that can be consumed right away.Let’s check out everything about fennel seeds!
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History of Fennel Tea
Historically, people used to believe that hanging fennel plants over doorways will deter evil elements from entering their homes. But as time passes, numerous scientific studies have confirmed that other fennel parts can also be used in alleviating other elements like illnesses and diseases. Through their seed and oil, many people now maximize these fennel parts in producing food and medicinal products.
What is Fennel Tea?
Fennel is a root vegetable that is related to carrots and celery. The bulb-like part of fennel, where its seeds can be found, that is harvested from the ground is what is commonly used for culinary ingredients, but the leaves and stalks are also edible and full of health benefits. The fresh, dried, or grounded fennel seeds are used for extracting as tea.
Fennel Tea Health Benefits
Fennel tea, in general, is good for your health. It has antioxidants and other compounds that make the drink essential for most people. It also has a wide variety of vitamins, amino acids, and other nutrients that are much needed for a balanced diet. Through the presence of these components, here are 10 health benefits that one can obtain when consuming fennel tea.
1. Eliminates Halitosis
Ancient Indian chews fennel seeds to eliminate bad breath, it is linked to the antibacterial properties of fennel that may help by removing the pathogens that cause halitosis. Much like peppermint tea, a cup of fennel tea before bed or after meals will keep your breath fresh for hours.
2. Enhances Eye Health
Contrary to drinking tea, most people wash their eyes with fennel tea to treat eye illnesses. The extracts from the fennel seed have nutrients that can be used for treating glaucoma, conjunctivitis, eye inflammation, and other eye-related illnesses. These nutrients also help protect the eyes from the effects of macular degeneration and possible cataract formation.
3. Improves Digestion
Drinking fennel tea can easily improve the overall digestion of a body by relaxing the muscles and stimulating the flow of bile. It can also expel gas from the body to relieve any instances of bloating. The blood circulation to the digestive tract is also enhanced by this tea to normalize and stabilize the digestion process.
4. Regulates Body Weight
The subsequent effect of improved digestion is the proper regulation of body weight. Fennel tea enables the body to absorb the needed nutrients and vitamins, which helps keep the body satisfied and reduce any cravings. At the same time, drinking this tea helps eliminate toxins and excess body water, resulting in weight loss and better metabolism.
5. Treats Respiratory Ailments
Another health benefit of consuming fennel tea is that it helps treat respiratory ailments and disorders. Fennel seeds are composed of potassium, calcium, and other vitamins that help combat coughs and bronchitis. These nutrients can also cure excessive build-up of mucus, relax the spams in the respiratory system, and cleanse the bronchial passages.
6. Protects the Heart
The fiber in the fennel tea can promote the health of one’s digestive and circulatory systems since it prevents the body from absorbing cholesterol and offers adequate protection against any type of heart disease. Potassium, which can combat respiratory ailments, can also help in controlling blood pressure and neutralizing the effects of sodium. With fennel tea consumption, one can easily prevent hypertension and heart diseases.
7. Boosts the Immune System
Fennel tea is packed with vitamin C that helps in making the immune system stronger. It also has selenium that can promote the production of T-cells, a type of lymphocyte that is essential in the immune response of the body against diseases and illnesses. The antimicrobial properties of the fennel tea help the selenium in boosting the immune system.
8. Eases Arthritis and Diabetes
The increased intake of antioxidants from fennel tea can effectively alleviate the effects of certain inflammatory ailments like arthritis. The same tea can also treat symptoms of arthritis and provide osteoprotective properties. Diabetes and its complications can also be treated by drinking fennel tea since it decreases the blood glucose levels. Other components of tea like vitamin C, potassium, and magnesium also help in easing the effects of diabetes.
9. Prevents Cancer Cell Formation
Aside from alleviating respiratory and inflammatory ailments, fennel tea is also capable of preventing the formation of different types of cancer. Fennel tea has various antioxidants, bioactive compounds, and anti-inflammatory properties that can prevent the conversion of regular cells into cancerous ones. Additionally, this type of tea also serves as part of cancer treatment because of its fiber and Vitamin C.
10. Balances Hormones
The consumption of fennel tea can naturally regulate the hormonal system of a body. One great thing about fennel tea is that it has phytoestrogen content that helps treat symptoms related to hormonal imbalance and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal disorder mostly widespread among women of reproductive age. Fennel tea also has progestogenic substances that aids in balancing the thyroid and the glandular system.
11. Copes with Menstrual Problems
Menstrual pains, which are typically caused by excessive contraction of the uterine muscles, have always been the problem of most women. Fortunately, fennel tea has been recently found to keep the uterus from contracting and reduce overall menstrual pains. Numerous studies have also confirmed that tea can lessen menstrual symptoms such as nausea and body weakness.
12. Boosts Breast Milk Production
Fennel is said to improve the quality and quantity of breast milk, making this the perfect tea for soon-to-be and new mommies.
Fennel Tea Dosage
There are two ways to get the fennel tea supply. The first way is to dry out or microwave the fresh fennel seeds from one’s own plant, crush them and put them in an empty tea bag or tea ball. Alternatively, a person can purchase ready-to-steep fennel tea products from their closest physical stores or online shops.
Once they have prepared or purchased their fennel tea, they must now let the fennel tea bag or tea ball steep in hot water for 5 to 10 minutes. Keep in mind that the longer a person steeps the tea bag or tea ball, the stronger the fennel tea brew will taste.
While fennel tea has tons of benefits, it must be consumed moderately. Whenever individuals prepare their fennel tea, they may want to use 5 to 7 grams of fennel seeds in their drink per day to avoid obtaining some side effects. One cup of fennel tea is usually enough to obtain its health benefits.
Fennel Tea Risks and Side Effects
Fennel tea, when consumed in small amounts, will not have any side-effects to most people who will be drinking it. However, overdosing fennel, especially its extracted oils, may be harmful to others. Based on some studies, consuming a huge amount of fennel tea can cause muscle spasms and hallucinations. The sensitivity of some people to the sun might also increase whenever they drink fennel tea.
People who are allergic to carrots, celery, or mugwort may be allergic to fennel. If a person who drinks fennel tea experiences dizziness, difficulty in swallowing, or swelling on the face, then they must be allergic to fennel.
The ability of fennel tea to mimic the effects of estrogen makes it not suitable for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Pregnant women who may have consumed this tea might experience a miscarriage. People with cancer who are highly sensitive to estrogen must likewise refrain from consuming fennel tea since it can worsen their conditions.
Those who are suffering from illnesses related to the endocrine system must also limit the intake of fennel tea since it contains phytoestrogens that can disrupt the basic functions of the said system. Individuals with cancer or may be at risk of getting one must also restrict themselves from drinking this tea as it has estragole, a potential carcinogen. Infants must also be veered away from fennel products due to the presence of the same carcinogen.
Best Fennel Tea Brands
For those who want to try out fennel tea, here are 5 best brands that they can buy today.
Traditional Medicinals (Organic Fennel Herbal Tea)
The Organic Fennel Herbal Tea from Traditional Medicinals has excellent herbal power that is known to promote healthy digestion and ease uncomfortable feelings of fullness, bloating, and gassiness. The company sources their favorite fennel from small, organic farms in Bulgaria, which can produce high-quality natural herbs.
Heather’s Tummy Teas (Organic Fennel Tea)
Heather’s Tummy Teas Organic Fennel Tea can easily help people who have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) by relieving its symptoms like bloating, gas, and intestinal cramps. Moreover, the brand’s large size tea bags have 2 to 3 times the amount of tea per bag than other brands. Their tea is also CRC Kosher and has no gluten.
Teekanne (Fennel Tea)
Tekkanne boasts the quality of the fennel seeds that they use in making their fennel infusion. The brand guarantees that a high amount of essential oils is preserved, which can consequently provide a savoring tea with its natural soothing sweet aroma and feel-good effect. Tekkanne’s Fennel Tea products are imported from Europe.
Pukka (Organic Three Fennel Tea with Sweet Wild Fennel)
The fennel tea offering of Pukka has all the flavors and power of fennel products. Pukka’s Organic Three Fennel Tea with Sweet Wild Fennel has delicious nurturing herbs, sweet Turkish fennel seeds, wild fennel, and feathery fennel leaf. This tea product is certified Fair for Life, the gold standard in fair and ethical trade.
Alvita (Organic Herbal Tea Bags, Fennel Seed)
Alvita’s Fennel Tea offering is made from premium-quality, organic fennel seeds that give off sweet aroma and flavor that is reminiscent of licorice or anise. This tea, when brewed correctly, releases fragrant smell and warm taste. Their tea bags are oxygen bleached and not treated with chlorine.
Fennel tea has key nutrients that can help body systems become healthier and stronger against different types of diseases. However, this type of tea has associated risks and side effects that can negatively affect the overall health of some specific individuals who will consume them. Keep the consumption of fennel tea within the recommended dosage and choose only the best brands that are available in the market today.
