Anise is grown mainly for its seeds, while fennel has the bulb, fronds and seeds to offer. Anise has a stronger, sharper licorice flavor compared to fennel. And just to make things a bit more complicated, the strong, distinctive-tasting star anise—a main ingredient in many Chinese dishes—is from a completely different plant family than both fennel and anise.
If you need a swap for fennel seed, you can use anise seed since their tastes are similar. But keep in mind, you will want to use less anise, as it tends to be stronger. Depending on your preferences, other seeds will work as well, such as dill, caraway, cumin or coriander. Whole seeds can be stored for about two years. Discard them when they lose their pale green colour and begin to go grey. Fennel seeds are most commonly used as a digestif and are often used to treat gastric problems, bloating and heartburn.
Fennel bulbs are nutritionally high in potassium, Vitamins A and C and calcium, and are also a good source of dietary fibre. Fennel oil is used as a fragrance enhancer in cosmetics and soaps. Fennel is also one of the three spices that is used to make the alcohol Absinthe. And finally, did you know that fennel is one of the oldest cultivated vegetables and spices in the world? Ancient Romans chewed fennel before battles as they believed it gave them courage. Roman ladies used it as a means to stop getting fat and in the Middle Ages, people chewed fennel to stop embarrassing tummy rumblings during religious services.
What have you created with Fennel? Leave a link to a recipe on your blog in the comments so everyone can check them out! Your email address will not be published. Another test-tube study observed that fennel extract stopped the spread of human breast cancer cells and induced cancer cell death Animal studies also suggest that extract from the seeds may protect against breast and liver cancer Although these results are promising, human studies are needed before fennel or its extract can be recommended as an alternative treatment for cancer.
Fennel has been shown to have galactogenic properties, meaning it helps increase milk secretion. Research suggests that specific substances found in anethole, such as dianethole and photoanethole, are responsible for the galactogenic effects of the plant 6.
Fennel may increase milk secretion and blood levels of prolactin — a hormone that signals the body to produce breast milk However, other studies found no effect on milk secretion or infant weight gain. Negative side effects, such as poor weight gain and difficulty feeding, have also been reported in infants whose mothers drank lactation teas containing fennel 21 , 22 , For these reasons, breastfeeding women should consult their healthcare provider before using fennel to stimulate milk production.
Aside from the benefits mentioned above, fennel and its seeds may improve your health in the following ways:. Though fennel and its seeds are likely safe when eaten in moderation, there are some safety concerns over more concentrated sources of fennel, such as extracts and supplements.
For example, fennel has strong estrogenic properties, meaning that it acts similarly to the hormone estrogen. While this may help relieve menopausal symptoms , it may be unsafe for pregnant women. A study that evaluated the teratogenicity of fennel essential oil showed that high doses may have toxic effects on fetal cells Although eating fennel and its seeds is likely safe, pregnant women should avoid taking supplements or ingesting the essential oil of this plant.
Fennel may also interact with certain medications, including estrogen pills and certain cancer medications, so always consult your healthcare provider before using high doses in supplement, essential oil, or extract form Both the flavorful, crunchy bulb and aromatic seeds of the fennel plant are highly nutritious and may offer an abundance of impressive health benefits.
Adding them to your diet may improve heart health, reduce inflammation, suppress appetite, and even provide anticancer effects.
Especially, when essential oils are involved. For sure, they are not medicine. I think this is more about well-being and see what you could use it for. From my experience the tea, for example, is always helpful to my throat. Nice article, fennel is an often overlooked herb that can be used all year round to help alleviate basic cold and flu symptoms.
It also provides a nice taste alternative to staples such as garlic and ginger. So right! The variety makes it fun to cook. What I love about it is that you can adjust it to many different cuisines.
Fennel can be part of Asian, Italian, or Arabic recipes just to name a few. Are the anti-cough benefits really that potent? Plus, it just provides a wonderful flavor! Enjoy it. These seeds are also a great source of fibre and good to incorporate into a diet if one has high cholesterol. I agree with you, and I have to say that your tart sounds great.
The seeds work perfect with tomatoes. Using spices like this, as a final seasoning on top of pies or tarts, is what I really like. The spices keep their full flavor and provide an aromatic twist. They say you crave what your body needs. This is all very interesting. This applies to many situations I guess. Haha — there are far too many delicious dishes and inspiration here, but a lot of them super healthy too.
Thanks for the article, I love learning about the medicinal properties of common kitchen herbs. Well I got a pretty laugh at my own expense here, but I learned something that I can use so I am okay. I laughed because I thought to myself that I enjoy foods that aid in the digestive system, so I got all excited there, and then I remembered the main time I happen to use fennel is when I am making fennel sausage, and that kind of just has its own effects on the old digestive system, and they are not that great.
That said, though, I am glad to hear the benefits so I will just need to find other ways to work it in. Thanks for sharing.
Very useful!
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