Fennel seeds: Effects and uses of this versatile household remedy

Fennel seeds are not only a great spice in the kitchen, but are also considered a natural remedy for various illnesses. You can find out more about the effects of fennel seeds and their uses in this guide.

The colloquial term “fennel seeds” is misleading, as they actually refer to the fruit of the fennel plant. They have an intense and slightly sweet taste, reminiscent of liquorice and anise. You can use them to refine various dishes or to make tea – for example, for gastrointestinal complaints and other illnesses.

Fennel seeds: spice for the kitchen

Fennel seeds are particularly used in Indian and Chinese dishes. They are often a component of curry powder and Chinese five-spice powder.

But Italian salami and other meat products are also often refined with fennel seeds. You can even use the spice in bread and biscuits. However, if you are not used to the taste, you should be particularly careful when using the seeds, as their aroma can quickly become too dominant.

When buying fennel seeds, you should look for organic products to avoid chemical-synthetic pesticides. Also try to buy regional fennel seeds. Of course, it is best if you grow your own fennel. The seeds form in the flowers of the plants and you can simply collect them. You can find out more about this here: Planting fennel: sowing, care and harvesting.

Here we show you a recipe for an aromatic bread with fennel seeds and rosemary.

Recipe: Fennel and rosemary bread

For one loaf of bread you need the following ingredients:

• 1/2 cube of fresh yeast
• 250 ml lukewarm water
• 1 tsp fennel seeds
• 1 tsp rosemary (dried)
• 500 g wheat flour
• 1/2 tbsp salt

Here’s how to do it:

1. Crumble the yeast slightly with your hands and then dissolve it in the water.
2. Crush the fennel seeds and rosemary coarsely with a mortar.
3. Mix together flour, salt and crushed spices.
4. Now add the yeast mixture and mix the ingredients with a dough hook.
5. Let the dough rise in a warm place for at least an hour.
6. Then knead the dough well on a floured work surface and form the mixture into a loaf of bread.
7. Place the loaf on a baking sheet and let it rise for another 15 to 20 minutes.
8. Place the bread in the preheated oven at 220 degrees Celsius and add a small bowl of water. This will make the bread juicier and prevent it from drying out.
9. After about 10 minutes of baking, turn the temperature down to 200 degrees Celsius and bake the bread for another 45 minutes.

Fennel seeds: health benefits

The healing effect of fennel seeds is particularly due to the essential oils they contain. They are primarily used for digestive problems such as gastrointestinal infections, flatulence and stomach cramps. The seeds have an antispasmodic effect and promote intestinal activity, according to a study from 2014. In addition, slowly chewing the seeds stimulates the appetite.

The second major application of fennel seeds is respiratory diseases. This is due to the antibacterial effect of the essential oils. They also have a secretolytic effect, so that accumulated mucus in the bronchi is released more quickly.

Application of fennel seeds

If you have digestive problems, it is best to brew the seeds as fennel tea. You can either use the seeds in their pure form or buy ready-made tea. In digestive teas, fennel seeds are often mixed with anise and caraway to increase the antispasmodic and stimulating effect.

Fennel honey is particularly recommended for coughs and sore throats. You can either buy it in a pharmacy or health food store, or you can easily make it yourself.

Fennel oil is also extracted from fennel seeds. The oil is particularly suitable for external use in cases of blocked upper respiratory tract, for example for inhalation or for rubbing and massaging the chest.

Other topics at Utopia:

• Preventing colds: How to stay healthy
• Stomach-friendly food: Easily digestible food for the stomach
• How healthy is ginger? The root and its effects

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