Fennel, Indian Sweet Fennel

Latin name : Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (Umbellifereae), F.capillaceum Gil., F.officinale All.
Sanskrit/Indian name : Mishreya, Sanuf, Bari-Sanuf
Urdu Name : Saunf, Badiyan

General information :
Fennel seeds are used for flavoring soups, meat dishes, sauces, confectionery and also pickles. The herb is included in the pharmacopoeia of all countries. The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia and the Indian Herbal Pharmacopoeia have documented its carminative and spasmolytic properties.
The herb relaxes stomach muscles and relieves gastrointestinal spasms which makes it an effective herbal remedy for treating flatulence and bloating. It also alleviates constipation, soothes an upset stomach and relieves abdominal cramps. People suffering from irritable bowel syndrome are relieved by drinking Fennel tea.

Therapeutic constituents :
Fennel contains volatile oils, including estragole and anethole, which promote the secretion of digestive enzymes in the stomach. It also contains essential fatty acids, flavonoids (rutin), vitamins and minerals, which render the herb its therapeutic properties.

Key therapeutic benefits :

• Fennel relieves digestive disorders like constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, flatulence and stomach spasms.
• It is also eases menstrual cramps.
• The volatile oils in Fennel are often diluted as massage oils and used for alleviating painful joints.