Fennel, also referred to as bitter fennel, wild fennel and carosella, is a plant that dates back to Greek legend when a man received knowledge that was delivered in a fennel stalk filled with coal from the gods on Mount Olympus. The herb tastes similar to anise and you may use it as a food seasoning. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not regulate the manufacturing of fennel and does not evaluate the herb for safety or efficacy. Consult a health care professional before taking fennel to treat a medical condition.
Ease Colic
Colic causes a baby to cry inconsolably for several hours at the same time each day for at least three days per week. There is no known cause for the condition, but intestinal gas, an immature digestive system or an allergy may cause the symptoms. Making a tea from fennel seeds may help relieve the symptoms of colic for a baby. Giving 1 tsp. of the cooled tea to the baby just before and after a bottle or breastfeeding may help ease the colic, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. A breastfed infant may also feel better if the mother drinks a cup of the tea three to six times daily.
Stimulate Lactation and Promote Menstruation
Fennel may help produce milk for a lactating woman and may cause menstruation to occur. Because of the spontaneous uterine bleeding, a pregnant woman should avoid taking fennel. The herb may also increase libido and lessen the symptoms of male menopause. Fennel may help these conditions because the herb may have an estrogen-like effect on the body, as evidenced by animal studies, but clinical evidence in humans is lacking, according to Drugs.com.
Gastrointestinal Distress
Using fennel may help alleviate problems in the stomach and intestines. Conditions such as intestinal gas, bloating, indigestion, upset stomach and muscle spasms in the intestines and stomach may get better after taking fennel, according to RxList. The herb may relieve these symptoms because it can help relax your gastrointestinal tract.
Additional Uses
People may use fennel for a variety of reasons. Historically, poor people in the Middle Ages used the herb as an appetite suppressant on fasting days. People may eat the stalk of the plant as a vegetable. Fennel may help flavor foods, such as pickles, pastries and fish, as well as add flavoring to medications. Others may use the plant as an antidote to snakebite poisons and poisonous mushrooms and herbs. The plant may work as an insect repellent and as a scent for aromatherapy.
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