School of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion
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We specialize in digestive herb formulas. Use the chart below to find the right herbal formula for optimal gut health.
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SERVING SIZE: 1/4 tsp SPECIES: Foeniculum vulgare FAMILY:
Apiaceae EAT IN: "I love the richness of this article. It motivates me to go out and get fennel seeds! The article reaches beyond seeds..." - Nathan Sorenson,  SEE MORE REVIEWS & COMMENTSAbout the Author: John Immel, How Can Fennel Seeds Make You Feel Great?AYURVEDIC ANALYSISDigestive & Mouth FreshenerSweet and stimulating, fennel possesses a unique combination of warming and cooling qualities that stimulate the appetite before meals and facilitate digestion afterward. Ate a little too much and feel bloated? Was the food a tad too spicy? Fennel relieves gas and bloating; it also functions to reduce burping, acid reflux, and alleviate nausea and indigestion. Fennel improves the digestive agni by stimulating blood flow to the stomach.For BabiesBabies can experience relief from colic pains by drinking fennel water with sodium bicarbonate and glycerine. Fennel is estrogenic in nature, so it increases growth of breast tissue. It also has diaphoretic properties that increase the flow of milk in lactating mothers.A Rare Cooling SpiceAlthough many spices are heating, fennel is tempered by a cool quality the calms the mind and increases clarity. As a diuretic it relieves Pitta, flushing and soothing burning sensations in the urinary tract and detoxifying the blood. Fennel has been shown to protect the liver of experimental animals from chemical toxicity.Relieving SpasmsFennel, like many aromatic herbs, is effective in relaxing smooth muscle spasms. It specifically relieves bronchial spasms in the lungs, colic in the GI tract and uterine cramping, thereby helping with diverse conditions from asthma to menstrual cramps. Fennel's aromatic quality also relaxes blood vessels and opens circulation, reducing swelling and pain. Its circulatory stimulating qualities are effective in countering rheumatism.Other UsesMany lung formulas utilize fennel to clear phlegm and relieve cough. Ancient Romans regarded fennel as the herb of sight and rightly so, for root extracts of fennel have been used to clear cloudiness of the eyes and cure glaucoma.In Chinese medicine, fennel has the properties of soothing liver Qi, warming the kidney, expelling cold and alleviating pain. It specifically regulates & harmonizes stomach Qi. Like licorice and cardamom, it may be used to help harmonize other formulas. Western herbalists use fennel for its anti-cancer properties. ABOUT FENNEL SEEDSBUYING & PREPARATIONCOOKING FENNEL SEEDS Browse RecipesLearn about the health benefits of Fennel Seeds for FREE
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WHY SHOULD YOU EAT AYURVEDICALLY?Eating Ayurvedically makes you feel nourished and energized. An Ayurvedic diet is tailored to your individual body type and the specific imbalances you are working with at any given time. Foods that supplement your specific body type’s needs and digest easily create your menu. Watch as you eat less but feel more satisfied because what you are eating truly nourishes you. Since Ayurveda believes all disease begins in the digestive tract, food is your first medicine. By eating a healthy diet that’s ideal for your body, you experience optimal health.Are Fennel Seeds Good for Me?MEDICINAL QUALITIES
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary.
The list of actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.Digestion: Antispasmodic , ANTISPASMODICHerbs that reduce or inhibit muscle spasms or cramping, such as in asthma, colic or IBS.Appetizer , APPETIZERHerbs that cleanse the palate & stimulate hunger or desire to eat.Carminative , CARMINATIVEStimulates the release of gas. Helpful for bloating or cramping abdominal pain. Propels food downward.Digestive , DIGESTIVEHerbs that encourage healthy digestive.Spleen Tonic , SPLEEN-TONICAn herb that strengthens spleen function by improving strength of the blood. Spleen tonics Builds agni, brighten the person's appearances & firms up tissues.Stomachic STOMACHICAn herb that increases appetite or settles a nauseas or nervous stomach. These generally increase the digestive fire, therefore relieving symptoms of sluggish or difficult digestion.Cleanse and Detox: Burns Toxins , BURNS-TOXINSAn herb that detoxifies by helping your body metabolize toxins, as opposed to eliminating them.Detoxicant DETOXICANTAn herb that eliminates or metabolizes toxins from the body.Energy Vitality Strength: Stimulates energy STIMULATES-ENERGYThis category groups thyroid and adrenal stimulating herbsHeart & Circulation: Cardiac stimulant CARDIAC-STIMULANTHerbs that increase the heart rate. Useful in cardiovascular health, blood stagnation, and subjective feeling of heaviness in the chest area.Kidney & Urinary: Diuretic DIURETICHerbs that promote urine formation, thereby flushing the kidneys and urinary tract while eliminating any excess water retention. As diuretics reduce water retention, they are often used to reduce blood pressure.Lung and Sinus: Lung Tonic , LUNG-TONICStrengthens the lungs. These herbs are helpful when recovering from either acute or chronic lung issues like bronchitis or pneumonia.Antitussive , ANTITUSSIVECough suppressant, particularly for dry coughs or a tickle in your throat.Decongestant , DECONGESTANTAn herb that reduces mucus congestion in the sinus or lungs by restricting blood flow to mucus membranes.Expectorant EXPECTORANTHerbs that help you cough up and eliminate mucus. These herbs often work by increasing the quantity of mucus, or thinning the mucus.Mind, Stress & Sleep: Brain Tonic BRAIN-TONICAn herb that strengthens the brain, thereby improves either mental function, stamina, or stability.Reproductive Health: Galactagogue GALACTAGOGUEIncreases production of breast milk.AYURVEDIC PRACTITIONERS!(Not you? Keep scrolling!) Are you struggling with your health?Learn how to feel your best by balancing your diet in just a week.How to Use Food AyurvedicallyHOW DOES EATING AYURVEDICALLY MAKE YOU FEEL?Eating Ayurvedically makes you feel nourished and energized. Food digests with ease when right for your body type (dosha). Healthy digestion is seen as the cornerstone of well-being in Ayurveda. Healthy digestion generally prevents illness. If you do get sick, a strong digestive fire reduces the severity of illness and increases your resilience. It also improves your mood. Once you begin eating Ayurvedically, you will feel refreshed, vital and strong. View Other Ingredients for SpringFennel Seeds is recommended for Spring. Check out these other Spring ingredients here.Comments & Impressions of 'Fennel Seeds'Do you like 'fennel seeds'? Why or why not? What makes it unique? Is there something you'd like to know about 'fennel seeds'?237 likes
Fennel in Greek mythology was a plant where fire was hidden (from what I read, I believe "inside of") when it was stolen from the gods to be given to the humans on Earth. Are there any legends or stories you know of concerning fennel in Indian history? Or where there any plants where fire or something else was hidden in? (I know of tulasi, but that's a little different I guess.)
Maybe the question will surprise you but hopefully someone knows something interesting! Thanks for the time!
Unfortunately, I have a weird reaction when I consume fennel tea made from seeds - especially when it's combined with coriander seeds and cumin seeds - I get a strange pain in the neck! It took me quite some time to isolate exactly what was happening, but it seems that I am unable to utilize fennel in any form for a prolonged period of time. Any ideas of why this would happen?
Hello Bhairavi! Can you be a bit more precise about the type of pain in your neck? I have been dealing with neck pain for almost 2 years now, and would be interested to see if it ressembles your pain... because I have been using CCF tea for about 2 years!... How did you pinpoint that the fennel was giving you your neck pain? Many thanks for your help! ;-)
It may be due it "dryness" I get itchyness around the back of the scalp along with a dry tongue after the tea
Interesting information Debra, thank you for sharing! From an Ayurvedic perspective, fennel is a unique herb because it is both cooling and a digestive - which is rare. Most herbs and spices have an overall heating effect on the body and at the same time boost the digestive fire. Fennel has an overall cooling effect on the body, but does boost the digestive fire - so I think Ayurveda would agree that it has a hidden fire in it.
I love the richness of this article. It motivates me to go out and get fennel seeds! The article reaches beyond seeds to fronds, etc. I wonder, what part is referenced in this statement: "Like licorice and cardamom, it may be used to help harmonize other formulas"?
Nathan this would be in reference to a powder (churna) made from the seeds.
a traditional home remedy for
This information has not been validated by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.
Reproductive Health Abortion (Past, Recent or Considering), Insufficient Breast Milk, Painful menstruation, Small breastsDigestion Acid Reflux, Bad breath, Bloating / distension, Colic / spasm / cramping, Food allergy, Foul taste on tongue, Frequent Burping, Frequent Nausea, Gas, irregular digestion, H pylori infection, Hiatal Hernia, Hoarse Voice, Inguinal hernia, Irregular/small appetite, Limited sense of taste, Quickly full / early satiety, Receding gums, Slow, heavy digestion, Vomiting, Yellow teethRespiratory Health Animal/dander allergy, Asthma, Chronic cough, Lung Inflammation, Pneumonia, Runny nose, Seasonal allergies, Sinus Infection, Sinus pain around eyes, Sinus pain in cheeks, Sinus pain in forehead, Thin mucusBlood and Circulation Chronic Fungus infection, Diabetes (Adult Onset), Feet or Ankles Swelling, Glaucoma, Irregular heartbeat, Puffy under eyes / Bags, Teeth marks on tongue edges, Thick coating tongue, White tongue coatingMind Stress Sleep Conflict makes me depressed, lazy, Confusion / Cloudy Mind, Cry easily, Depressed, Depressed when stressedBones Fibromyalgia, Rheumatoid ArthritisPoop Frothy Stool / with Bubbles, Stool entirely liquid, no solid pieces, Stool in mushy pieces mixed with liquid, Stool thick mud, Undigested food in stoolKidney Bladder Urinary Kidney StonesDiet Sweet cravings
About the Author John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda. His approach to Ayurveda exudes a certain ease, which many find enjoyable and insightful. His online course Balance Your Ayurvedic Diet in a Week provides tools for gracefully healing with Ayurveda to thousands. John also directs Joyful Belly's School of Ayurveda , which specializes in digestive tract pathology & Ayurvedic nutrition. John and his wife Natalie recently published Explore Your Hunger: A Guide to Hunger, Appetite & Food.John's interest in Ayurveda and digestive tract pathology was inspired by a complex digestive disorder acquired from years of international travel, including his public service work in South Asia. John's commitment to the detailed study of digestive disorders reflects his zeal to get down to the roots of the problem. His hope and belief in the capacity of each & every client to improve their quality of life is nothing short of a personal passion. John's creativity in the kitchen and delight in cooking for others comes from his family oriented upbringing. In addition to his certification in Ayurveda, John holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University. John enjoys sharing Ayurveda within the context of his Catholic roots, and finds Ayurveda gives him an opportunity to participate in the healing mission of the Church. Jesus expressed God's love by feeding and healing the sick. That kindness is the fundamental ministry of Ayurveda as well. |
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