Fennel Seed Oil – Properties and Uses
Fennel seed oil is warming and carminative in nature. Carminative is an aromatic in which it tends to expel wind from the alimentary canal, or to relieve colic, gripping or flatulence). In addition, fennel seed oil is also an antispasmodic and an antidepressant. It also helps promote milk-flow in breast-feeding mothers, and it’s also stomachic, pectoral, diuretic, diaphoretic, aromatic, anti-microbial, pain and fever reducing oil.
Some of its uses include the following:
- Deals with irritable bowel syndrome
- Increases urine flow
- Breast enlargement
- Helps promote menstruation
- Improves digestive system
- Wards off anxiety and depression
- It’s an appetite suppressant
- Helps lower blood pressure
- Boosts libido
Fennel Seed Oil – Constituents
Fennel is considered to be a rich source of beta-carotene and vitamin C4. As well as calcium, magnesium, iron and lesser amounts of other metal cations.
Some of its constituents include:
- Anethole is considered to be fennel’s major constituent
- Other constituents include alpha pinene, beta myrcene, beta pinene, bitter fenchone, camphene, estragole (methyl-chavicol), fechone, limonen, p-cymen and safrole.
Fennel Seed Oil – Health Benefits
Fennel is also known to symbolize longevity, courage and strength. For that, here are some of its health benefits:
- It holds a lot of healthy nutrients needed by the body
- It also has essential compounds
- It’s an antioxidant in nature
- It contains dietary fiber
- It has a rich amount of vitamins and minerals
Fennel Seed Oil – Additional Information
Fennel seeds are composed of health benefiting volatile essential oil compounds like anethole, limonene, anisic, aldehype, pinene, mycrene, fechone, chavicol and cineole. These active principles in fennel are known to have antioxidant, digestive, carminative and anti-flatulent properties.
Fennel seeds are also rich in vital vitamins like vitamins A, E, C as well as a lot of B-complex vitamins such as thiamin, pyridoxine, riboflavin and niacin, particularly are concentrated in these seeds.
Fennel Seed Oil – Additional Information
Nutritionally speaking, fennel seed oil is a great source of potassium, magnesium, calcium and vitamins B and C.
Fennel Seed Oil – Muscle Relaxant Effects
Fennel seed oil has been shown to cause an increase in resting force of guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle. Anethole may also be responsible for the positive inotropic effect. In another animal study, sweet fennel oil inhibited acetylcholine-induced contractions of ileal and bladder smooth muscles. The mechanism of action is thought to be due to an inhibition of calcium release from intracellular stores and binding to calcium-binding proteins by the constituents in the fennel oil.
Fennel Seed Oil – Antispasmodic Effects
Fennel seed oil is known to have antispasmodic effects. Fennel seed helps increase gastrointestinal motility and acts as an antispasmodic at high doses. In addition, fennel extracts produce a reduction in acetylcholine-induced contraction and decreases maximum possible contractility.
Fennel Seed Oil – Diabetes
Fennel seed oil has anti-diabetic effects. Fennel seed oil has been reported to stimulate pancreatic alpha-cells and insulin secretion.
Fennel Seed Oil – Anticoagulant Effects
Ferrula communis, giant fennel, is known to contain coumarin derivatives that competitively inhibit vitamin K and interfere with blood clotting, making it an effective anticoagulant. In animal studies, internal bleeding and death resulted after ingestion over an extended period of time, however, so caution must be exercised to guard against over overdose.
Fennel Seed Oil – Anti-Carcinogenic and Inflammation
Fennel seed oil is known to have both anti-carcinogenic and anti-inflammatory effects due to the anethole present in fennel seed oil. Anethole’s effects may be mediated by modulation of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and induces cellular response. In addition, anethole can interfere with TNF signaling and lead to the activation of NF-kappaB, AP-1, JNK, MEK, and apoptosis. Lastly, anethole may also suppress NF-kappaB dependent gene expression induced by the TNF, NF-kappaB can control the expression of some genes involved in carcinogens and inflammation as well.
Fennel Seed Oil – Concentrated Source of Minerals
Fennel seeds are known to be a concentrated source of minerals. Here are some of them:
- Copper: This is needed in the production of red blood cells.
- Iron: This is needed for the formation of red blood cells.
- Zinc: This mineral is the co-factor in many enzymes that regulate growth and development, sperm generation, digestion and nucleic acid synthesis.
- Potassium: This is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps in controlling heart rate and blood pressure.
- Manganese: Used by the body as a co-factor for the potent anti-oxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase.
Fennel Seed Oil – Cancers
Fennel seeds contain a number of flavonoid anti-oxidants such as kaempferol and quercetin. These compounds function as potent antioxidants by eliminating the harmful free radicals from the body thus offering protection from cancers, infection, aging and degenerative neurological diseases.
In addition, fennel seed oil is used for cancer patients after going through both radiation and chemotherapy treatments. The substance also helps in rebuilding the digestive system.
Fennel and Cancer
The raw vegetable itself hasn’t been extensively studied in regards to cancer protection; however, fennel seed extract has, and the findings regarding cancer protection are quite impressive. These findings show that the extract can not only inhibit tumor growth, thanks to its concentration of flavonoids, alkaloids and phenols, but it can be somewhat chemo-protective against the harmful effects of radiation during cancer treatment.
Fennel seed oil extract has been found to be preventative of different kinds of breast cancer and liver cancer strains as well.
Fennel Seed Oil – Infection and Degenerative Neurological Diseases
Fennel seeds contain a number of flavonoid antioxidants such as kaempferol and quercetin. These compounds function as antioxidants and remove any harmful free radicals from the body. Thus, they offer protection against many different infections and from degenerative neurological diseases as well.
Fennel Seed Oil – Constipation
As with caraway, fennel seeds are a rich source of dietary fiber (100g seeds provide 39.8 g of fiber). Much of this roughage is metabolically inert insoluble fiber, which helps increase bulk of the food by absorbing water throughout the digestive system and easing problems with constipation.
Fennel and Constipation
Fennel seeds, particularly in its powdered form, can act as a laxative. This roughage helps clear the bowels, whereas its stimulating effect helps maintain the proper peristaltic motion of the intestines. This helps promote proper excretion through the stimulation of gastric juices and bile production. Fennel is also commonly found in medicines that help treat abdominal pain, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and other intestinal issues.
Fennel Seed Oil – Colon (Mucosa) Cancer
Dietary fibers help bind to bile salts (produced from cholesterol) and lower re-absorption in the colon. Therefore, it helps lower serum LDL cholesterol levels. Along with the flavonoid antioxidants, the fiber composition of fennel helps protect the colon mucosa from cancers, particularly colon cancer.
Fennel Seed Oil – Anemia
Both iron and histidine, an amino acid that dwells in fennel, are great treatments for anemia. Whereas iron is considered to be the chief constituent of hemoglobin, histidine can help stimulate the production of hemoglobin as well as helping in the formation of different types of blood components.
Fennel Seed Oil – Flatulence
Fennel seed oil has long been used as a remedy for flatulence and indigestion in traditional medicines. Fennel seed decoction or added as a spice in food has been found to help increase breast milk secretion in nursing mothers. In addition, fennel water is often used in newborn babies to help relieve colic pain and help aid digestion. Lastly, fennel seed oil is used to relieve coughs, bronchitis, and as a massage oil to help cure joint pains.
Flatulence
Fennel is a popular as an anti-flatulent, due to the carminative properties of the aspartic acid found in fennel. Its extract can be used by everyone as way to reduce flatulence and to expel excess gas from the stomach. In addition, it’s commonly used in medicines to reduce symptoms of non-ulcer dyspepsia and flatulence in infants and young children.
Fennel Essential Oil For Digestive Problems
Fennel has a carminative nature, which means that it helps prevent and relief flatulence. As an effective antispasmodic, it acts upon the smooth muscles of the stomach and intestines, thus alleviating gastric pain and discomfort associated with indigestion, abdominal bloating, nausea, belching and flatulence.
Fennel Seed Oil – Indigestion
In the Indian subcontinent, chewing fennel seeds after every meal is a common practice. This is done to help facilitate digestion, as well as aid in eliminating bad breath. In culinary applications, fennel seeds are used as a focal point in a lot of appetizers.
Some of the components of the essential oil in fennel are stimulants that:
- Stimulate secretion of the digestive and gastric juices
- Reduce inflammation of the stomach and intestines
- Facilitate proper absorption of nutrients from the food consumed
- Eliminate constipation
- Protect the body from a wide array of intestinal problems that can stem from being blocked
- Are used extensively in antacid preparations because of their anti-acidic (basic) properties.
Fennel Seed Oil – Coughs, Bronchitis, Joint Pains and Respiratory Congestion
Fennel seed oil is used to relive coughs, bronchitis and it’s being widely used as a massage oil to help cure joint pains. In addition to that, fennel has also been an effective treatment for respiratory congestion as well.
Fennel Seed Oil – Breast Enlargement
Fennel seed oil is a useful addition to any of the breast enlargement herbs available. In addition, it has an impressive number of other health benefits as well. The flavonoids present in fennel seeds help increase the amount of estrogen thus acting as a stimulant and a tonic. In addition, fennel seeds help increase the size of the breasts as they increase the formation of brand new cells and tissues in the breasts.
Fennel Seed Oil – Respiratory Disorders
Fennel seed oil is useful when it comes to dealing with respiratory disorders like congestion, bronchitis and cough due to the presence of cineole and anethole (expectorant in nature). In addition, fennel seeds and powder can help to break up phlegm and prompt loosening of the toxins and buildup of the throat and nasal passages for elimination from the body and faster recovery from respiratory conditions.
Fennel Seed Oil – Stomach Problems
Fennel seed oil is a tested remedy for gas, acidic stomach, gout, cramps, colic and spasms. Fennel seed grounded and made into a tea is believed to be good for snake bites, insect bites or food poisoning.
Fennel Seed Oil – Gastrointestinal Distress
Fennel seed oil has been used to help relieve gastrointestinal distress. Fennel seed oil has powerful antioxidant properties and helps ward off free radicals as well as irritation.
Fennel Seed Oil – Obesity
Fennel seed oil is also a great remedy to obesity, and helps in increasing the flow of urine.
Fennel Seed Oil – Weight Loss
Fennel seed essential oil may have a positive role as both a metabolic enhancer and an appetite suppressant when it comes to supporting weight loss. An increase in metabolic rate output burns more energy and it can accelerate fat loss. In addition, fennel has an added benefit, with regards to fat reduction, in that it helps break down fat deposits in the bloodstream to be used as energy. According to a study at the Thuringian State Institute of Agriculture in Germany, they found that dieters who took fennel seed oil as a supplement ate less food.
Fennel is also known to contain melatonin. According to researchers at University of Granada, they performed a study that showed melatonin (a natural hormone that helps regulate sleep) also helps controlling weight gain.
Here are some of the other things you may want to know about fennel seed oil:
- It can naturally increase frequency of urination
- Reduces water weight
- It doesn’t have an effect on fat stores and is not regarded as an effective weight loss measure by itself
- Its role in a comprehensive weight loss plan may be beneficial specifically when retained water causes bloating
- The increased urination also helps with the removal of toxins inside the body
Fennel Seed Essential Oil within A Weight Loss Plan
Fennel works best when used as a part of an overall weight loss plan that includes a balanced diet of healthy organic foods and other supportive herbs like green coffee beans, UVA-URSI, gymnema, damiana and hoodia gordonii.
In addition, evidence suggests that when taken as a supplement as part of your overall weight loss strategy, fennel can be beneficial in stimulating your metabolism and promoting weight loss.
Fennel Seed Oil – Hoarseness and Sore Throats
Fennel seed oil can also be gargled when it comes to dealing with hoarseness and sore throats.
Fennel Seed Oil – Amenorrhea/Menstrual Disorders, Angina, Asthma, Heart Burn, High Blood Pressure
Fennel is commonly used to help treat amenhorrea, angina, asthma, heartburn, high blood pressure and to help boost sexual desire as well.
Fennel is also a known as an Emenagogue (eases and regulates menstruation by properly regulating hormonal action in the body). In addition, fennel is also used in a number of products to help lower the effects of PMS. Plus, it’s also used traditionally as a soothing pain reliever and relaxing agent for menopausal women.
When it comes to blood pressure, fennel is a very rich source of potassium (essential nutrient in the body). One of the attributes of potassium is its quality as a vasodilator (a substance that relaxes the blood vessels, thus lowering blood). High blood pressure is linked to a wide array of health problem, atherosclerosis and heart attack included.
For people with diabetes, blood pressure issues can make insulin management and glucose levels very difficult, and can be the main cause of a lot of potentially lethal complications. A cup of fennel bulb in your daily diet will help bring you many of the benefits associated with fennel.
Fennel Seed Oil – Improve the Kidneys, Spleen, Liver, and Lungs
Fennel is known to be a mild appetite suppressant. In addition, fennel oil is used to help improve the function of the kidneys, the spleen, the liver and also the lungs.
Fennel Seed Oil – Heart Disease
Fennel is considered to be a great source of fiber. It also helps maintain healthy levels of cholesterol in the blood stream. In addition, it can help stimulate the elimination of damaging LDL cholesterol, which is a major factor in heart disease, atherosclerosis and strokes.
Fennel Seed Oil – Brain Function
Fennel is known to contain high levels of potassium. Potassium is an electrolyte that facilitates an increase in electrical conduction throughout the body and includes connections within the brain (a veritable switchboard of electric currents). In addition, potassium can help in the increase of brain function and cognitive abilities. Furthermore, fennel is a vasodilator, meaning more oxygen can reach the brain and neural activity can work at optimal functionality.
Fennel Seed Oil – Diarrhea
Fennel has long been used by indigenous cultures as a way to help eliminate diarrhea. Fennel is helpful in curing diarrhea if it’s caused by bacterial infection (some components of the essential oil in fennel such as anethole and cineole have disinfectant and antibacterial properties.
Some amino acids, such as histidine, can help in digestion and the proper functioning of the digestive system, thus helping to eliminate diarrhea due to indigestion.
Fennel Seed Oil – Colic
Fennel oil is also known to be a polymeric and full of heavy molecules, useful in the treatment of renal colic. Such polymers, also referred to as phytoestrogens, are found in anethole (a component of the essential oil in fennel). This certain attribute of fennel makes it quite helpful in the treatment of renal colic.
Fennel is known to have some certain antispasmodic qualities which also help it relax smooth muscles and help lower discomfort linked with the condition.
Fennel Seed Oil – Eye Care
Using fennel seed oil in food helps protect your eyes from inflammation. It will help lower the disorders related to premature aging and macular degeneration. In addition, the high abundance of antioxidants (vitamin C and amino acids like arginine, which are beneficial for rejuvenation of tissues and the prevention of aging) helps detoxifiy and stimulates the body. Furthermore, these as well as minerals like cobalt and magnesium are specifically abundant in fennel essential oil.
The juice in fennel leaves and the plant itself can be externally applied on the eyes to help lower irritation and eye fatigue. Fennel is also a rich source of flavonoids, which are very useful in keeping pigment cells from dying due to oxidative stress-induced death. By protecting against this destruction of pigment cells, fennel can be classified as effective in aiding eye health.
Fennel Seed Oil – Other Benefits
Here are some of the other benefits of fennel essential oil:
- Fennel is a diuretic: It helps increase the amount and frequency of urination and helps in the removal of toxic substances from the body and helping in rheumatism and swelling.
- Fennel also increases the production and secretion of milk in lactating mothers and since this milk contains some properties of fennel, it’s also an anti-flatulent for babies.
- Fennel seed oil also strengthens hair, prevents hair loss, relaxes the body, sharpens the memory and has a marvelous cooling effect in summer. This can be attained if the pale, greenish-yellow water, in which fennel is soaked, is ingested with a bit of sugar and black salt.
Fennel Seed Oil – Amenhorrea
Fennel is commonly used to help treat the following:
- amenhorrea
- angina
- asthma
- heart burn
- high-blood pressure
- it also helps boost sexual desire
Fennel is also considered to be an emenagogue, meaning it can ease and regulate menstruation by properly regulating hormonal action inside the body. Furthermore, fennel is used in a number of products to help lower the effects of PMS, and it’s also used traditionally as a soothing pain reliever and relaxing agent for menopausal women.
Fennel Seed Oil – Anxiety
Latin Name – Foeniculum Vulgare
Common Names:
- Large Fennel
- Sweet Fennel
- Wild Fennel
- Finocchio
- Carosella
- Florence Fennel
- Fennel
Properties
Fennel seed oil is a warming, carminative (an aromatic which tends to expel wind from the alimentary canal, or to help relieve colic, griping or flatulence). It’s also an antispasmodic, antidepressant, helps promote milk flow in nursing mothers, stomachic, pectoral, diuretic, diaphoretic, aromatic, anti-microbial and pain and fever reducing.
Uses
Here are some of the most common conditions fennel seed oil is used for:
- Colic
- Wind
- Irritable bowel
- Urine flow
- Breast enlargement
- Promoting menstruation
- Improves digestive health
- Improves milk flow
- Anxiety and depression
- Arthritis
- Water retention
- Appetite suppresant
- Amenhorrea
- Angina
- Asthma
- Heartburn
- High blood pressure
- Low Libido
- Respiratory congestion
- Coughs
Fennel Seed Oil – Asthma
Fennel is a natural remedy that’s usually used to help treat the following:
- amenhorrea
- angina
- asthma
- heartburn
- high blood pressure
- low sexual drive
Fennel Seed Oil – Bloating
Fennel is known to have a carnative nature, which means it can help prevent and relieve flatulence. As an effective antispasmodic, it acts upon the smooth muscles of the stomach and the intestines, thus easing gastric pain and discomfort associated with indigestion, abdominal bloating, nausea, belching and flatulence.
Fennel Seed Oil – Breast Enlargement
Due to its impressive number of health benefits, fennel can also be used in the treatment of breast enlargement.
The flavonoids present in fennel seeds are known to help increase the amount of estrogen thus acting as a stimulant and tonic. Fennel seeds also help increase the size of the breast as they increase the formation of new cells and tissues found in the breast.
Fennel Seed Oil – Bronchitis
Fennel seed oil is mostly used to help relieve coughs, bronchitis and as a massage oil to help ease joint pains.
Fennel Seed Oil – Cancer Treatment
Fennel seeds can indeed contain numerous flavonoid antioxidants like kaempferol and quercetin. These compounds function as potent antioxidants by eliminating harmful free radicals from the body, therefore offering protection from cancers, infection, aging and degenerative neurological diseases.
Fennel seed oil can also be used for cancer patients right after radiation and chemotherapy treatments as this will help re-establish their digestive system.
The raw vegetable itself hasn’t been extensively studied in regards to cancer protection; however, fennel seed extract has, and the findings regarding cancer prevention are quite amazing. It shows that the extract can not only inhibit the growth of tumors thanks to its concentrations of flavonoids, alkaloids and phenols, but that it can even be somewhat chemo-preventive against the harmful effects of radiation during cancer treatment. Fennel seed extract has been found to be preventative of different kinds of breast cancer and liver cancer strains.
Fennel Seed Oil – Colic
Polymeric and heavy molecules are useful in the treatment of Renal Colic. Such polymers, also referred to as phytoestrogens, are found in anethole, a component of the essential oil in fennel. This attribuite of fennel makes it quite helpful in the treatment of Renal Colic. Fennel has certain antispasmodic qualities which also help it relax smooth muscles and lower the discomfort linked with the condition.
Fennel Seed Oil – Colon Cancer
Dietary fibers bind to bile salts (produced from cholesterol) and lower their re-absorption in the colon. Thus, it helps lower serum LDL cholesterol levels. Together with flavonoid anti-oxidants, fiber composition of fennel helps protect the colon mucusa from cancers.
Fennel Seed Oil – Constipation
Just like in caraway, fennel seeds is also a rich source of dietary fiber, with 100g providing 39.8g of fiber. Much of this roughage is metabolically inert insoluble fiber, which helps increase bulk of the food by absorbing water throughout the digestive system and easing constipation problems.
Fennel seeds, particularly in powdered form, can act as a laxative. The roughage helps clear up the bowels, whereas its stimulating effect helps maintain the proper peristaltic motion of the intestines, thus helping promote proper excretion through the stimulation of gastric juices and bile production. Fennel is also commonly found in medicines that help treat abdominal pain, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other intestinal issues.
Fennel Seed Oil – Coughs
Fennel seed oil is used to help ease coughs, bronchitis and it can also be used as a massage oil to help cure joint pains.
Fennel is an effective remedy for respiratory congestion and is a common ingredient found in most cough remedies.
Fennel Seed Oil – Degenerative Neurological Diseases
Fennel seeds can contain numerous flavonoid antioxidants like kaempferol and quercetin. These compounds function as potent antioxidants by eliminating harmful free radicals from the body, therefore offering protection from cancers, infection, aging and degenerative neurological diseases.
Fennel Seed Oil – Diabetes
The anti-diabetic property of fennel essential oil has been reported to help stimulate pancreatic alpha-cells and insulin secretion.
Fennel Seed Oil – Diabetes
Fennel essential oil is helpful when it comes to curing diarrhea if it’s caused by bacterial infection, because some components of said essential oil in fennel like anetol and cineole have disinfectant and antibacterial properties. Some amino acids, like histidine, can aid in digestion and the proper functioning of the digestive system, thus helping to eliminate diarrhea due to indigestion. Fennel has long been used by indigenous cultures as a way to remove diarrhea.
Fennel Seed Oil – Flatulence
Fennel seed oil is known to have the following medical uses:
- -It has long been used as a remedy for flatulence and indigestion in traditional medicines
- -Fennel seed decoction or added as spice in dishes has been found to help increase breast milk secretion in nursing mothers.
- -Fennel water is sometimes used in newborn babies to help relieve colic pain and help aid in digestion
- -Fennel seed oil is also used to help relieve coughs, bronchitis and as massage oil to help cure joint pains.
Fennel is known to be quite the amazing anti-flatulent; this is due to its carminative properties of the aspartic acid found in fennel. The extracts of such can be used by almost everyone, from infants to the elderly, as a way to help lower flatulence and to expel excess gases from the stomach. It’s commonly used in medicines to help lower symptoms of non-ulcer dyspepsia and flatulence in both infants and young children.
As an effective antispasmodic, it acts upon the smooth muscles of the stomach and the intestines, thus easing gastric pain and discomfort associated with indigestion, abdominal bloating, nausea, belching and flatulence.
Fennel Seed Oil – Gastrointestinal Distress
Therapeutically, one of the most common applications of fennel seed oil is to help relieve gastrointestinal distress. Fennel seed has potent antioxidant properties and fights free radicals and irritation.
Fennel Seed Oil – Heart Disease
Fennel is considered to be a great source of fiber, besides to the advantanges to digestion that helps provide fiber, it also helps maintain healthy levels of cholesterol, which is a major factor in heart disease, atherosclerosis and strokes.
Fennel Seed Oil – Heart Burn
Fennel is a natural remedy that’s usually used to help treat the following:
- amenhorrea
- angina
- asthma
- heartburn
- high blood pressure
- boost sexual drive
Fennel Seed Oil – High Blood Pressure
Fennel is a natural remedy that’s usually used to help treat the following:
- amenhorrea
- angina
- asthma
- heartburn
- high blood pressure
- boost sexual drive
Fennel Seed Oil – Hoarseness
Fennel seed oil can be gargled for hoarseness and for sore throats.