FENNEL HERBAL TEA: PROPERTIES, BENEFITS, CONTRAINDICATIONS

Fennel , whose botanical name is Foeniculum vulgare, is a perennial herbaceous plant that belongs to the same family as carrots. 

Although its thick stems with feathery leaves and bright puffs of yellow flowers are native to the Mediterranean region, they grow wild everywhere. 

Even if the fennel stems are hard, they are edible and are treated as a vegetable, while the leaves and essential oils are used to flavor various dishes and to prepare herbal teas and lotions for topical use obtainable from the seeds.

What is fennel tea?

Fennel herbal tea is obtained by drying the seeds of the plant, then infusing them in hot water and consumed after meals for its relaxing aroma and stomach-calming qualities . 

This strong-smelling brew tastes like licorice with a slightly bitter aftertaste, but actually has nothing to do with licorice. 

Having said that, it should also be added that there are two main types of fennel used in the kitchen. 

Specifically, it is the Florentine one with a large bulb and the herb fennel , which is a perennial plant that can be planted in a garden for fronds, pollen and seeds. 

However it is worth adding that there is also wild fennel which is particularly abundant in California. 

When we intend to describe the aroma of fennel we often compare it to that of anise, but this does not mean that it has all the flavour; in fact the aniseed taste of fresh fennel is delicate and sweet. 

Properties and benefits of fennel tea

Fennel herbal tea is an excellent infusion to obtain an effective antimicrobial and antiviral action . 

From the first symptoms of a cold, drinking fennel tea can help the body fight off pathogens that attack the immune system. 

Among other things, the vegetable is rich in dietary fibers which are able to cover about 25% of the daily requirement, and contains a good percentage of potassium, which is essential for keeping blood pressure low .

It is also important to underline that fennel also contains vitamins of the type A, C, B6 and many others that allow you to control free radicals, i.e. the main responsible for premature aging. 

A cup of hot fennel tea is also a great way to wind down after a long day, not to mention it gives an extra boost when you’re feeling a little tired and weak. 

As a further demonstration of the beneficial properties of fennel tea, it is worth adding that it can relax the muscles including those of the digestive system , as well as being useful for reconciling sleep. 

It should also be emphasized that recent studies have found that some women who ingested fennel tea before a meal experienced fewer symptoms of hunger, ate less and felt fuller than others who instead took a placebo. 

On the sidelines it must be said that a fennel tea is one of the original ways to relieve bad breath , and this is attributed by scientists to the fact that it boasts numerous antibacterial properties capable of counteracting the action of the pathogens responsible for bad breath. In any case, drinking a cup before going to bed or upon waking should eliminate morning bad breath.

Contraindications: is fennel tea bad for you?

The estragole found in fennel may not be safe for children, although any person may experience discomfort when ingested in large quantities. 

It should also be emphasized that pregnant women should avoid drinking fennel tea , as the estrogen that is activated in the oil of its seeds could confuse the body by generating a surge in various hormones. 

Finally, since fennel is part of the carrot family, you should avoid drinking herbal tea if you are allergic to the vegetable or to other plants of the same family, including celery. 

On the sidelines it is important to underline that if you take anticoagulants or complain of bleeding disorders, it would be advisable to avoid drinking fennel tea or at least use it with caution.

Fennel herbal teas on the market

Fresh fennel seeds are available in herbal shops, grocery stores and supermarkets as well as on the best specialized online stores. 

It is also possible to find them in different formats, i.e. chopped, in soluble sachets and even in pods and which in any case are ideal for preparing a healthy herbal tea. 

For those who intend to take advantage of the benefits of this infusion, it is also useful to know that today it is also possible to buy a product with fennel seeds ready for infusion . 

Specifically, these are compatible capsules (such as the DolceVita fennel tea capsules , compatible with the Nespresso® and Dolce Gusto® systems ) with coffee machines, ideal for enjoying a fennel tea quickly and on any occasion , and also represents a valid alternative to the classic drinks that we are used to consuming on a daily basis.