Known since ancient times as a home remedy for stomach problems, fennel is an aromatic wild plant, of Mediterranean origin, which can be used as a condiment in cooking and as a component for cosmetics. For example, its seeds contain a great antioxidant power and in preparations for topical use it helps healing and relieves discomfort caused by allergies or insect bites. The way to make the most of the properties of fennel is in infusion and, therefore, in this article of we are going to tell you in detail what fennel tea is for, its properties and contraindications. Known since ancient times as a home remedy for stomach problems, fennel is an aromatic wild plant, of Mediterranean origin, which can be used as a condiment in cooking and as a component for cosmetics. For example, its seeds contain a great antioxidant power and in preparations for topical use it helps healing and relieves discomfort caused by allergies or insect bites. The way to make the most of the properties of fennel is in infusion and, therefore, in this article of we are going to tell you in detail what fennel tea is for, its properties and contraindications.
Properties of fennel tea
Fennel has multiple medicinal properties, almost all of them related to the digestive system, although it has other important characteristics. This plant is rich in potassium, apiol and betaine, among other active ingredients, and thanks to this, these are the main properties of fennel tea:
- Digestive
- Antispasmodic
- Diuretic
- Carminative
- Hydrating
- Antimicrobial
- Antioxidant
- Anti-inflammatory
What is fennel tea for?
Thanks to the aforementioned properties, these are some of the benefits of fennel tea:
- Due to its digestive properties, fennel tea is especially indicated to relieve heavy digestions and empacho's, being highly recommended after strong or copious meals to promote digestion.
- Due to its antispasmodic properties, it is of great relief when suffering from colic and gastrointestinal spasms.
- Being a diuretic, it helps the elimination of retained fluids and is a great complement to weight loss diets or for fluid retention. This is the main reason that fennel tea is recommended for weight loss. Here you can know How to lose weight with fennel.
- It relieves the discomfort caused by gases and reduces its production during digestion due to its carminative properties. In this other article we explain how to take fennel for gases.
- As it significantly reduces the sensation of thirst, it is especially indicated after physical exercise or in hot climates, since it has moisturizing and revitalizing effects.
- Its high antimicrobial power fights bad taste in the mouth and halitosis. If you want to know how to take it for it, you can consult this other post about How to use fennel for bad breath.
- Potassium is used in medicine as a regulator of blood pressure; Being rich in potassium, fennel tea can serve to help stabilize tension levels, especially in people suffering from hypertension.
- Due to its content of active ingredients such as apiol and betaine, fennel helps regulate hormonal imbalances and is especially indicated to treat problems related to menstruation, such as premenstrual syndrome, dysmenorrhea and amenorrhea. It is also recommended for the treatment of menopausal symptoms.
- Its antioxidant properties are found in the seeds, which are used in cosmetics as an ingredient in moisturizers and anti-aging creams. In medicine they are used in healing ointments, for burns or for insect bites.
- As an anti-inflammatory it is usually used in mouthwashes and serves to reduce bleeding gums and, in general, to reduce inflammation and swelling.
Contraindications of fennel tea
Fennel tea, fennel cooked, cooked or dyed, has no adverse effect if consumed properly. However, if you ingest pure or concentrated fennel (in the form of essential oil) you have to be careful because, although its list of benefits is long and varied, it also has some contraindications. These are the main contraindications of fennel in high concentrations or doses:
- It influences the effect of some drugs, specifically in a highly prescribed antibiotic called ciprofloxacin, which is very sensitive to fennel and can stop working if its intake is simultaneous or too close in time.
- Fennel in any of its forms, is especially contraindicated for those people who are subjected to some hormonal treatment. It has volatile oils with estrogen-like effects, which can backfire on women who, for example, take the birth control pill and, in sufficient quantities, could go so far as to render its effects useless.
- Due to its influence on hormonal processes, its use is not recommended for children, pregnant and lactating women without professional supervision.
- It has two components, anethole and estragole, which in excessive amounts can behave like a neurotoxin, producing drowsiness, arrhythmias or seizures. For this reason, fennel is contraindicated in people suffering from Parkinson's.
How to make fennel tea
Fennel tea can be made with the leaves of the plant, with the seeds or with the bulb. Here are some different ways to prepare fennel tea:
- To make the tea from fresh fennel leaves we will follow the technique of any infusion of leaves: wash the leaves (60 gr), place them in a bowl or bowl (250 ml) and pour boiling water on them, letting it sit for about 15 or 20 minutes. Strain the leaves and ready to drink (you can add sugar to taste like any other infusion).
- If we prefer infusion of fennel seeds, first we must release the seeds from the oil; it can be done by crushing them in a mortar. Then simply place the seeds (1 tablespoon approximately) in the teapot and add boiling water. Let stand 7-10 minutes and ready.
- For fennel bulb tea we will need 2 fennel bulbs washed and chopped on a strainer. Pour boiling water and crush them to squeeze their ingredients, pour everything into a teapot and let it rest for 15 or 20 minutes and we can drink it.
Where to buy fennel tea
Although you may already have located your trusted herbalist, we recommend you buy fennel tea online through the Internet. Especially since you can find different brands and quantities, as well as good.
