Flatulence is a common digestive occurrence but can be bothersome and unpleasant. While identifying and eliminating trigger foods can help relieve gas, drinking a tea made from an herb like fennel may help as well. Fennel aids the digestive process and may provide relief to people suffering from flatulence and other forms of stomach upset associated with indigestion. Ask your doctor before you begin consuming fennel or any new herb.
Causes of Flatulence
Gas forms when the food you eat is broken down in your large intestine, then exits your body in the form of flatulence. Certain foods are more likely to cause gas but not everyone’s trigger foods are the same. Foods that commonly lead to flatulence include cabbage, broccoli, whole grains, artichokes, beans and oat bran. You can identify your trigger foods by keeping a food journal that records what you eat and when flatulence occurs, then restrict or eliminate these foods to lessen gas. Keep in mind that it is normal for a person to pass gas 14 to 23 times a day, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearing House.
Functions of Fennel
The primary medicinal uses of fennel, an herb, include easing cramps associated with menstruation, relieving infant colic and lessening the severity of upper respiratory infections. It also has many uses related to digestion and can help when suffering from indigestion, bloating and flatulence. This is because fennel relaxes the muscles in your intestines, relieving cramping and discomfort while aiding digestion and also helps release gas from your body. These properties may also make fennel helpful for people who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome or other malabsorption conditions.
Fennel Tea for Digestion
If you wish to consume fennel as a digestive aid to relieve flatulence, you can crush the seeds to make a tea. Add 0.5 to 4 teaspoons of fennel to 1 cup of water, depending on how strong you want the brew and allow it to steep for 10 to 15 minutes until the desired strength is achieved. You can drink the tea one to three times a day, preferably with or after your meals and especially if you are eating foods that typically give you gas. Your doctor can help you determine the strength of your fennel tea as well as how frequently you should drink it.
Additional Considerations
Flatulence is not typically a cause for concern but if you have recently noticed a change in the amount or frequency of the gas you pass, see your doctor. Fennel can interact with certain medications, like birth control pills, and can also cause allergic reactions in some people. Ask your physician if it is safe for you to take fennel, and let her know about any medications you are on or other herbs you ingest. If you develop an allergic or adverse reaction to fennel, seek medical attention.
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