Fennel Tea
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The Perfect Digestive Cleanse
Do you feel bloated and constipated at times?
Tic toc, tic toc, with Fennel tea you will be as regular as a clock!
You may have heard of the fennel bulb and even tried it in salads and vegetable dishes, but it is now time to consider drinking it as a tea.
Take a cup of this herbal remedy for an easier and healthier life by treating digestive problems and cleansing your system. But there is so much more that it can do for you, so let s move on!
Discovering Fennel Tea The Plant...
Fennel Tea is made from the Mediterranean plant foeniculum vulgare (or anethum foeniculum), a member of the carrot family.
Although originating from this region, you can now find it growing all around the world.
This hardy and perennial herb is green and crunchy like celery, with feathery leaves and small yellow flowers. Its bulb is white or pale green with closely superimposed stalks.
The fennel plant grows well on its own in sunny, hot and sandy areas and can reach 2 meters (6.6 feet approx.) in height. Its fruits are the dried seeds reaching 4 to 10mm long (0.15 to 0.4 inches).
Bulb, flowers and seeds can all be used for cooking, but it is the seeds that are most commonly used in herbal medicine. The seeds are sometimes confused with anise, as both anise and fennel seeds are similar in appearance, taste and even benefits of tea.
If you have both and can t tell which is which, then remember that fennel seeds are larger than anise.
...and the History
Historically, the use of fennel dates back to Ancient Greece and Rome, where it was used in traditional rituals and celebrations as a symbol of Nature.
In Greek mythology, Prometheus used a fennel stalk to steal fire from the gods. Fire gave us the ability to cook our food, so it would only be fitting to be carried by a herb that is good for the digestion, don t you think?
The health properties of fennel were so popular that Olympic athletes, in Ancient Greece, would use the seeds to increase stamina and promote longevity. And Greek doctors prescribed this tea to nursing mothers in order to increase breast milk.
In Ancient Egypt, India and China you would find that this medicinal tea was used to treat snake and insect bites. As time passed, fennel seeds were used to relieve hunger during fasting periods.
Tasty, healthy and popular, fennel was considered one of the nine holy herbs of the Anglo-Saxons, according to Chaucer, the 14th century English poet.
Today, this herb is cultivated around the world and widely used for cooking, even for giving flavor to toothpaste, and, of course, for its health benefits.
Now it is time to welcome a healthier you! So let s change your life for the better!
Benefits of Fennel Tea
A cup of fennel herbal tea will offer you a world of benefits due to its healthy constituents.
It is rich in vitamins A, B-complex, C and D, antioxidants and it is a great source of amino acids, fatty acids, calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, potassium, sodium, sulphur and zinc.
Improves Digestive Health
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Improving your digestion is the most important of all health benefits of fennel tea. This is possible because its essential oil contains estrogen, which inhibits muscles spasms, allowing you to digest more easily. It even relieves hiccups.
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Its aromatic and carminative properties are an excellent ally to treat flatulence, diarrhea, bloating or stomach cramps, which are also symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.
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It reduces acid levels in both your stomach and intestines. At the same time, it aids in the treatment of colic and vomit and rids the intestines of worms and bacteria.
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Moms, this one is for you! Fennel herbal tea is good and safe for children, as it relaxes the intestinal tract. May help when your baby is suffering from colic.
Cleansing tea
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Start living a healthier life by eliminating toxins from your body with this diuretic tea.
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Fennel herbal tea increases healthy urine flow and protects your liver from alcohol damage and treats diseases such as jaundice. This blood cleanser may also improve kidney function and prevent kidney stones.
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Additionally, it helps reduce water retention, making fennel herbal tea one of the best weight loss teas for you! It boosts your metabolism, allowing you to burn fat faster and also reduce cellulite. Added to this is its ability to regulate your appetite.
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By cleansing your body with this healthy tea, you improve also the health of your tissues and joints, thus relieving arthritic pain and gout.
Immune System Boost
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To feel healthy you need a strong immune system to help you fight bacteria and viruses. A fennel infusion helps to prevent the onset of cold symptoms.
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This wonderful tea helps to reduce fevers, relieve sore throats and treat most upper respiratory tract illnesses, namely asthma, bronchitis, cough and it clears up congestion and excess phlegm.
Healthy Eyes
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Sometimes after a bad night s sleep, you may wake up with swollen and sore eyes. Though you may feel tempted to go straight back to bed, know that fennel infusions can help you.
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Prepare a cup of fennel tea, soak a cotton ball in it and place it over your eye lids of 10 minutes. It s quite refreshing and it will not only reduce puffiness, but it also treats eye infections like conjunctivitis.
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This use for fennel herbal tea dates back to the Romans, who though snakes had such good vision due to the fennel they ingested.
Improves Hormonal Balance
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A healthy liver leads to proper hormonal balance which in turn is the key to relieve a number of symptoms that affect you on a daily basis.
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One of greatest health benefits of fennel tea is its ability to stimulate the production of estrogen, hence relieving symptoms of PMS, menstrual cramps or menopausal symptoms.
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Due to the presence of anethole, the main component of fennel oil, fennel tea has been used for years, especially by midwives and herbalists, as a tonic to protect the female reproductive system.
Promotes a Stronger Heart
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Last, but certainly not least, fennel tea is a wonderful source of vitamins and antioxidants that can help you to maintain a healthy heart.
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Antioxidants and vitamins and the cleansing action mentioned above all work to help you lower your bad cholesterol levels and thus reducing the chances of you suffering from hypertension.
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So make fennel tea a part of your life, add a bit of physical exercise and cut down on fatty foods and you can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Other Benefits of Fennel Tea
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Gargling fennel tea can relieve inflamed gums and treat bad breath.
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It also eases muscular pain.
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Eating fennel root may help prevent colon cancer.
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Expecting moms, this tea may help with morning sickness and treat sore nipples and infections. Here s a tip: dip a cloth in the tea mixture and apply it to the sore area three times a day.
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Although more studies are required, nursing moms can take this tea, with the approval of their doctors, of course, to increase the flow of milk. Do not take more than 2 to 4 cups daily.
Ready for your first taste of a fennel infusion?
Side Effects of Fennel Tea
Though this herb has plenty of health benefits there are some facts you should be aware of, such as:
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If you are allergic to carrots or celery, remember that fennel comes from the same botanical family, so it is likely that fennel tea may cause an allergic reaction. Be aware of such symptoms as itching, hives or swelling of the skin.
If this happens, stop taking this herbal tea and contact your doctor.
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If you are taking medication, talk to your doctor first, as fennel tea may interact with the medication you are taking and enhance the effects to more than you desire.
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If you are prone to blood clots, drink this tea in moderation.
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Do not confuse with hemlock which can be poisonous, so to be on the safe side be sure to only use store-bought fennel.
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People who are estrogen-dependent cancer must avoid this tea as well. However, it is said that it may be useful to sooth stomach cramps and vomit after chemotherapy or radiation treatments for cancer.
Are you pregnant or breastfeeding? You should see your doctor before drinking this tea.
It is best that while you are expecting a baby not to drink too much fennel herbal tea, as may become toxic and travel through the placenta and harm the development of the endocrine system of your little one.
Drinking Fennel Tea
Now it s time to learn how to make Fennel tea so that you can enjoy the benefis of fennel right in your own home.
Here is a recipe using fennel seeds:
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Take 1 teaspoon of dried fennel seeds per cup of tea and pour hot water over it.
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Make sure you do not boil the fennel seeds as this will kill most of its nutrients.
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Cover and let it rest for 10 minutes and then drink it 3 times a day. You will get a light yellow infusion.
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The best time to take this tea is after meals to help treat your digestion problems and its sweet taste, much similar to that of licorice, can serve as a wonderful after dinner treat.
And this is an interesting idea for using fennel root to make your tea:
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To cure a sore throat, use 20g of fennel root per liter of water. Let the water boil and pour it over the root.
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Take this infusion 3 times a day. Its flavor is similar, though weaker than aniseed.
Here are some tips for you:
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Use crushed or bruised fennel seeds for increased effectiveness and mix with herbs with similar benefits, such as anise.
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To best cover your teacup, buy one with a lid. Search for oriental style mugs that normally have a lid or use your saucer turned upside down. Always be careful when taking the lid off as condensed water may fall and burn you.
Blend this wonderful tea with other sweet tasting digestive teas:
- Anise Tea
- Licorice Tea
Go ahead and try fennel tea, have it in your pantry for friends and family.
Live a healthier and happier life!
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”While there's tea there's hope.” - Sir Arthur Wing Pinero (1855-1934), British actor
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