Fennel Seed
By: Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN
Fennel Seed has a long and celebrated history of cultivation as a weight loss herb. The ancient Greeks called the herb marathon meaning "to grow thin." Similarly, ancient Roman women took the herb to help prevent obesity. During the Middle Ages through the Renaissance, people used Fennel Seed to suppress their appetite during periods of fasting or just to manage their weight.
Fennel Seed promotes weight loss in several ways. Fennel Seed is purported to actually remove fat cells and mucus from the digestive tract. Second, Fennel Seed mildly stimulates the metabolism. This stimulation helps "activate" the digestive system so the body burns more calories.
Benefits of Fennel Seed
- Inhibits spasms within the intestinal muscles
- Reduces bloating, indigestion, cramps, and excess gas
- Stimulates the metabolism for increased caloric activity
- Works as an anti-inflammatory agent
- Acts as a mild diuretic to flush excess water and toxins from the body
Since Fennel Seed is also a form of dietary fiber, it binds with waste to help it move through the intestines more efficiently. By encouraging the digestive system to work at a faster rate, food is digested promptly and removed from the body before all the calories can be absorbed.
A chemical compound within Fennel Seed (terpenoid anethole) inhibits muscle spasms so hunger pangs are less likely to develop. Fennel Seed also increases overall energy levels. This extra energy promotes endurance so you can burn more calories while working out. As you know, diet is just half the equation for losing weight, with the other half to become more active!
As with anything you ingest, herbs may present contraindications so conduct your own research about anything you're planning to put in your body.
Contraindications for Fennel Seed
- Not recommended for use while taking the antibiotic Cipro® 1
- Not recommended for use if pregnant or nursing
- The essential oil should not be ingested (swallowed) as it may cause nausea, vomiting, and/or seizures even in small amounts
- Fennel may increase estrogen levels in the blood and should not be used by women with breast cancer, uterine fibroids, fibrocystic breasts, ovarian cysts, or uterine cancer
- Should not be taken by people with blood or liver disorders
1 Cipro® is a registered trademark of Bayer Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Available: http://www.cipro.com/en/home.html
