Post by Ashropshirelady on Jun 16, 2013 13:48:36 GMT
Have you ever stood in the produce aisle of your friendly neighborhood natural grocer and wondered what the heck to do with that frilly, feathery fennel bulb? Well, don’t worry, there are more than enough recipes out there in need of experimentation.
But what about its flavor? Perhaps you’re so turned off by the taste of anise or licorice that you’ve avoided it? Well, you may develop a new appreciation for fennel or, at the very least, learn to ignore the flavor once you learn how this particular herb can not only make you feel better, but can also help you maintain some of those body-centered New Year’s resolutions.
So, if you know anything about fennel, then you probably know it’s good for digestive upset (especially flatulence caused by poor digestion—all too common a condition after a holiday season of easily assimilated carbs and sugars). But what you may not know is that fennel is also good for colic (and totally safe for infants), spasms and cramps in the digestive system, for thinning mucus and enhancing lung function (especially effective in stubborn, chronic, or lingering bouts of bronchitis).
Fennel is also associated with all fluid activity in the body. Meaning, it relieves dry conditions and helps the body to dispel excess fluid to ease bloating. It can lessen the pain and passage of kidney stones, cleanse the liver and spleen, and lower cholesterol. Fennel also helps regulate hormonal cycles and can relieve morning sickness.
Sold yet? Fennel isn’t only amazing for all the reasons listed above, it can also help reduce an excessive appetite and support weight loss (try chewing and swallowing a few fennel seeds about twenty minutes before a meal—this will help your digestion and assimilation of nutrients).
How to use it?
The preparations for fennel are almost as varied as its benefits. You can chew the (raw) seeds after a meal for digestion help or before a meal to help control appetite. You don’t need much—we’re talking ¼- ½ teaspoon here. You can also gently simmer those seeds in 8oz of water or non-dairy milk (for 10 minutes) as an alternative to chewing them.
If you really can’t stand the taste, then use a tincture of fennel, 15-30 drops 2-3 times a day, before or after a meal. For constipation, you can infuse the seeds in warm oil and rub this oil over the abdomen. And, by all means, try cooking the feathery bulb when you find it in the produce section—braised, roasted, or baked fennel bulb will serve you almost as well as a medicinal dose of the seeds.
Above all, enjoy your experimentation with fennel—it’s completely safe, nutritive, and supportive of the entire digestive system. A healthy digestive system will feed the body’s energy levels: when we’re assimilating food easily and without discomfort, we’re automatically happier, healthier, and blessed with a brighter outlook. Who needs New Year’s resolutions when equipped with a handful of fennel seeds?
- See more at: www.greenster.com/magazine/why-fennel-should-be-your-new-years-herb/#sthash.Z3dDa9RJ.dpuf
But what about its flavor? Perhaps you’re so turned off by the taste of anise or licorice that you’ve avoided it? Well, you may develop a new appreciation for fennel or, at the very least, learn to ignore the flavor once you learn how this particular herb can not only make you feel better, but can also help you maintain some of those body-centered New Year’s resolutions.
So, if you know anything about fennel, then you probably know it’s good for digestive upset (especially flatulence caused by poor digestion—all too common a condition after a holiday season of easily assimilated carbs and sugars). But what you may not know is that fennel is also good for colic (and totally safe for infants), spasms and cramps in the digestive system, for thinning mucus and enhancing lung function (especially effective in stubborn, chronic, or lingering bouts of bronchitis).
Fennel is also associated with all fluid activity in the body. Meaning, it relieves dry conditions and helps the body to dispel excess fluid to ease bloating. It can lessen the pain and passage of kidney stones, cleanse the liver and spleen, and lower cholesterol. Fennel also helps regulate hormonal cycles and can relieve morning sickness.
Sold yet? Fennel isn’t only amazing for all the reasons listed above, it can also help reduce an excessive appetite and support weight loss (try chewing and swallowing a few fennel seeds about twenty minutes before a meal—this will help your digestion and assimilation of nutrients).
How to use it?
The preparations for fennel are almost as varied as its benefits. You can chew the (raw) seeds after a meal for digestion help or before a meal to help control appetite. You don’t need much—we’re talking ¼- ½ teaspoon here. You can also gently simmer those seeds in 8oz of water or non-dairy milk (for 10 minutes) as an alternative to chewing them.
If you really can’t stand the taste, then use a tincture of fennel, 15-30 drops 2-3 times a day, before or after a meal. For constipation, you can infuse the seeds in warm oil and rub this oil over the abdomen. And, by all means, try cooking the feathery bulb when you find it in the produce section—braised, roasted, or baked fennel bulb will serve you almost as well as a medicinal dose of the seeds.
Above all, enjoy your experimentation with fennel—it’s completely safe, nutritive, and supportive of the entire digestive system. A healthy digestive system will feed the body’s energy levels: when we’re assimilating food easily and without discomfort, we’re automatically happier, healthier, and blessed with a brighter outlook. Who needs New Year’s resolutions when equipped with a handful of fennel seeds?
- See more at: www.greenster.com/magazine/why-fennel-should-be-your-new-years-herb/#sthash.Z3dDa9RJ.dpuf
