College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

MORE OPTIONS

AYURVEDIC FOODS

Fennel Seeds Benefits (According to Ayurveda)

Share Content with Friends & Clients

Click one of the buttons above, or cut and paste the following link to share this page with your network. This link will automatically track your referrals to Joyful Belly:

Share URL for Fennel Seeds

Copy Link

About Sharing Content & Referrals.

RECIPES WITH IT

CREATE A RECIPE WITH IT

COMPARE IT

3 ratings, 542 likes

Customer Reviews

5.00 out of 5 stars

"Are fennel seeds as effective as a digestive if eaten raw?"

- Michael

See all reviews

1. Ayurvedic Perspective

2. Biocharacteristics & Herbal Actions

3. Similar foods and herbs

4. Impact: On tongue, nerves, elimination, etc.

5. Indications / Benefits

6. Contraindications / Aggravates

7. Comments and reviews

How Does This Ayurvedic Food Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Recipes with Fennel Seeds: Cardamom, Ginger & Fennel Tea

Pick a random Indian restaurant in the United States, and you are more than likely to be greeted by a little bowl of bright green roasted fennel seeds, placed near the entrance door. You can toss a few in your mouth and chew on them as you scan the menu and place your order. As you wait for the food to arrive, these little seeds do their magic: perking up the palate, stimulating hunger, priming the digestive system. Enjoy the food at leisure, savoring each bite with awareness and relish. On your way out, feel free to help yourself to a few more seeds. Skip the breath mints tonight; fennel seeds function as excellent mouth fresheners and what's more, they aid the digestive process as well.

Digestive & Mouth Freshener

Sweet 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 Babies

Babies 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 Spice

Although 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 Spasms

Fennel, 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 Uses

Many 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.

Recipes with Fennel Seeds: Almond Milk Chai with Mint & Fennel

About Fennel Seeds

Cool and soothing, verdant and fragrant, fennel is a member of the carrot family that includes other popular spices such as cumin, coriander, dill and celery. Fennel is used as a flavoring in some natural toothpastes and mouth fresheners. Fennel seeds may be confused with those of anise; however anise seeds are smaller in size. Cuisines of India, Iran, Afghanistan and the Middle East feature fennel seeds prominently. In many parts of India and Pakistan, roasted fennel seeds are consumed as after-meal digestive and breath freshener. India leads worldwide in production of fennel.

Buying & Preparation

Fennel fronds are delicate in flavor and resemble dill. Fresh fennel seeds are brown/green in color but as they age, the color changes to a dull grey. Store fennel seeds in the refrigerator to retain their freshness for a longer period.

Cooking Fennel Seeds

Be it a warming cup of tea or a piquant 5-spice mix, a simple salad with crisp cabbage shreds and matchstick carrots or an elaborate curry preparation with butternut squash, peppers and coconut, fennel seeds add their own little fragrant punch, distinctive and bright in flavor. Fennel fronds cook up in minutes and can be added to lentils, leafy greens, summer slaws, lettuce and arugula salads, etc. In Syria and Lebanon, fennel is used in combination with flour and onions to prepare a special kind of omelette. Many sausage and pickle recipes employ fennel as a flavoring ingredient. The fennel bulb is often sliced thin and eaten braised, marinated or even raw. Fennel sugar candies provide the perfect sweet ending to a meal, popular with adults and children alike.

Learn about the health benefits of fennel seeds for FREE

You'll receive free access to our entire website including healthy recipes, nutritional diet plans, medicinal uses of ingredients, & ayurvedic health tips. Sign in once and you can use our website indefinitely..

Please complete the following information if you have not registered or sign in to continue.

e-mail address*

confirm your e-mail*

enter a password*

Want our top Ayurvedic recipes and health tips? Click YES to subscribe to our newsletter!

(

find out more

Frequency: You'll receive our most popular Ayurvedic health tips every day for a week, and then 1-2 emails a week ongoing.

).
Yes No

I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its

User Agreement

The materials in this site are provided 'as-is' and without warranties of any kind either expressed or implied. Joyful Belly does not warrant or make any representations regarding the use or the results of the use of the content or other materials in this site in terms of their correctness, accuracy, reliability, or otherwise.

and

Privacy Policy

We respect your privacy. We will NEVER sell, rent or share your email address. That's more than a policy, it's our personal guarantee. Click here to view our privacy policy. Thank you!

browse recipes

browse more recipes

Cardamom, Ginger & Fennel Tea

Almond Milk Chai with Mint &...

Velvet Beet Puree with...

Sour Tamarind Chutney

Kale with Coconut & Fennel

Pitta Balancing Tea with Rose...

Milk with Almonds, Rose Petal...

Coconut, Turmeric & Tomato...

Ginger Dal

Salad with Blood Oranges &...

Are Fennel Seeds Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?

Find out by taking this free, easy quiz. You'll learn your body type, and whether 'Fennel Seeds' is a good fit. Complete the basic quiz in 1 minute, or go deeper with additional quizzes at your own leisure to learn more about your body.

Take the Quiz

AYURVEDA'S GUIDE TO VITALITY & WHOLESOME NOURISHMENT

Your Ayurvedic diet is tailored to your individual body and your specific imbalances. With an Ayurvedic diet you feel joy and satisfaction because what you are eating truly nourishes and balances you. Disease results from diets and lifestyles that are incompatible with your nature. By eating a personalized diet matched to your body, you experience optimal health. See How it Works.

SERVING SIZE: 1/4 tsp

SPECIES: Foeniculum vulgare

FAMILY: Apiaceae

EAT IN: SPRING

Metabolic Nature of Fennel Seeds

See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.

INCREASES Increases These Biocharacteristics (Gunas) Functional Ayurveda helps you assess imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). Aggravating these characteristics weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which characteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct imbalances before you get sick. Every characteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite characteristic. Learn More	CLEAR ABOUT CLEAR BIOCHARACTERISTIC Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama. LEARN MORE ABOUT CLEAR COLD ABOUT COLD BIOCHARACTERISTIC Cold refers to anything that reduces body temperature, metabolism, and blood flow. LEARN MORE ABOUT COLD DRY ABOUT DRY BIOCHARACTERISTIC Dry is identified by lack of moisture, lack of fat, or anything that causes diuresis. LEARN MORE ABOUT DRY EASY ABOUT EASY BIOCHARACTERISTIC Easy refers to anything easy to digest, or digests quickly. LEARN MORE ABOUT EASY LIGHT ABOUT LIGHT BIOCHARACTERISTIC Lightness is identified by reduced weight. LEARN MORE ABOUT LIGHT
TASTES The 6 Tastes Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below? Learn More	PUNGENT ABOUT PUNGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC Pungency is characterized by irritation, or sharp, spicy foods that irritate the mouth such as black pepper. LEARN MORE ABOUT PUNGENT
DOSHAS The Three Doshas / Body Types According to the biocharacteristic theory of medicine, people tend to get sick, over and over again, due to habitual causes and imbalances that are unique to the person. Your body type summarizes this tendency, showing you the 'type' of conditions and imbalances that frequently challenge your health & wellness. Using body type, you can also identify remedies likely to improve your strength and resiliency. Your body type identifies physical and mental characteristics as well as your personal strengths and weaknesses. The calculation of your body type is based on your medical history. The 3 functional body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha). Catabolic individuals tend to break down body mass into energy. They are easily stimulated, hyperactive, underweight and dry. Metabolic individuals tend to burn or use energy. They tend to be rosy-cheeked, easily irritated, focused, driven, and easily inflamed. Anabolic individuals tend to store energy as body mass. If they store too much energy, they could gain weight easily and have congestion. Anabolic people tend to be stable and grounded. Learn More	PACIFIES
HAS THE FOLLOWING	Subtaste: Aromatic AROMATIC Herbs or spices with volatile essential oils that present strong aromas. Aromatic oils shock, refresh and numb tissue, with the end result of relaxing, opening and clearing stagnant fluids in tissues. SEE ALL 'AROMATIC' FOODS / HERBS Affinity: Kidney Bladder Urinary, Respiratory Health Family: Apiaceae
HERBAL ACTIONS (see all)	Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Fennel Seeds Experiences are Personal Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition. Digestion: Carminative STRONG CARMINATIVE Stimulates the release of gas. Helpful for bloating or cramping abdominal pain. Propels food downward. Carminatives typically expel gas by relaxing the muscles of the intestines. SEE ALL 'CARMINATIVE' FOODS / HERBS , Appetizer APPETIZER Herbs that cleanse the palate & stimulate hunger or desire to eat. SEE ALL 'APPETIZER' FOODS / HERBS , Digestive DIGESTIVE Herbs that encourage healthy digestion. SEE ALL 'DIGESTIVE' FOODS / HERBS , Spleen Tonic SPLEEN-TONIC An herb that strengthens spleen function by improving strength of the blood. Spleen tonics Builds agni, brighten the person's appearances & firms up tissues. SEE ALL 'SPLEEN-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS , Stomachic STOMACHIC An 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. SEE ALL 'STOMACHIC' FOODS / HERBS Cleanse & Detox: Burns Toxins BURNS-TOXINS An herb that detoxifies by helping your body metabolize toxins, as opposed to eliminating them. SEE ALL 'BURNS-TOXINS' FOODS / HERBS , Internal Detoxicant INTERNAL-DETOXICANT Liquefies, dissolves, decongests or dislodges internal stagnant toxins. Decongests the lymphatic system. SEE ALL 'INTERNAL-DETOXICANT' FOODS / HERBS Mind, Stress & Sleep: Analgesic ANALGESIC Pain reliever, reduces pain without eliminating sensation. Also known as anodyne. SEE ALL 'ANALGESIC' FOODS / HERBS , Brain Tonic BRAIN-TONIC An herb that strengthens the brain and thereby enhances memory or other cognitive functions and improves mental stamina or stability. SEE ALL 'BRAIN-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS , Nervine NERVINE Balances the nervous system. They can help with stress, memory, early alzheimer's, and even chronic pain. Often they are aromatic in nature. SEE ALL 'NERVINE' FOODS / HERBS Energy Vitality: Stimulates Energy STIMULATES-ENERGY This category groups thyroid and adrenal stimulating herbs. SEE ALL 'STIMULATES-ENERGY' FOODS / HERBS Skin Care & Beauty: Vulnerary MILD VULNERARY An herb used for the treatment of wounds (antiulcer, connective tissue tonic). SEE ALL 'VULNERARY' FOODS / HERBS Respiratory-Health: Antitussive ANTITUSSIVE Cough suppressant, particularly for dry coughs or a tickle in your throat. SEE ALL 'ANTITUSSIVE' FOODS / HERBS , Decongestant DECONGESTANT An herb that reduces mucus production often by restricting blood flow to mucus membranes. SEE ALL 'DECONGESTANT' FOODS / HERBS , Expectorant EXPECTORANT Expectorants help you eliminate mucus from the lungs. These herbs often work by increasing the quantity of mucus, or thinning the mucus. Expectorants are indicated when phlegm congests the lower respiratory tract. SEE ALL 'EXPECTORANT' FOODS / HERBS , Lung Tonic LUNG-TONIC Strengthens the lungs. Lung tonics include antifibrotic, vessel tonic, or nourishing herbs with an affinity for the lungs. They aid recovery in acute or chronic lung conditions. SEE ALL 'LUNG-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS Immune System: Immune Calming IMMUNE-CALMING Herbs that interrupt an allergic reaction or calm the immune system, useful in allergies and autoimmune conditions. SEE ALL 'IMMUNE-CALMING' FOODS / HERBS Heart & Circulation: Cardiac Stimulant CARDIAC-STIMULANT Herbs that increase the heart rate. Useful in cardiovascular health, blood stagnation, and subjective feeling of heaviness in the chest area. SEE ALL 'CARDIAC-STIMULANT' FOODS / HERBS Kidney & Urinary: Diuretic DIURETIC Herbs 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. SEE ALL 'DIURETIC' FOODS / HERBS Reproductive Health: Antiandrogen ANTIANDROGEN Reduces androgen (testosterone), which can reduce excess growth, drive, and libido. Reduces skin oiliness. Helpful for prostate enlargement. SEE ALL 'ANTIANDROGEN' FOODS / HERBS , Estrogenic ESTROGENIC Increases estrogen, helpful in menopause. Estrogen is anabolic and increases muscle growth, bone density, and moisture. SEE ALL 'ESTROGENIC' FOODS / HERBS , Galactagogue GALACTAGOGUE Increases production of breast milk, often by raising prolactin and diaphoresis. SEE ALL 'GALACTAGOGUE' FOODS / HERBS Strength, Muscle Health: Antispasmodic ANTISPASMODIC Herbs that reduce or inhibit muscle spasms or cramping, such as in asthma, menstruation, hear palpitations, migraine, or IBS. SEE ALL 'ANTISPASMODIC' FOODS / HERBS Constituents: Nitric Oxide STRONG NITRIC-OXIDE Improves circulation by dilating blood vessels. Protects blood vessels from damage. Improves athletic performance, libido, immunity, and brain health. SEE ALL 'NITRIC-OXIDE' FOODS / HERBS , Coumarin COUMARIN Moderately toxic, vascular tonic, hypotensive, and anti-inflammatory. SEE ALL 'COUMARIN' FOODS / HERBS

Foods with a Similar Nature to Fennel Seeds

Ginger (Fresh)

Ginger (Fresh) has these Actions in Common

Analgesic, Brain-tonic, Carminative, Galactagogue, Nervine, Stomachic, Antispasmodic, Burns-toxins, Decongestant, Internal-detoxicant, Spleen-tonic, Appetizer, Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Lung-tonic, Stimulates-energy

LEARN MORE

Basil

Basil has these Actions in Common

Antispasmodic, Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Immune-calming, Nervine, Appetizer, Carminative, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant, Spleen-tonic, Antiandrogen, Burns-toxins, Decongestant, Galactagogue, Lung-tonic

LEARN MORE

Mustard

Mustard has these Actions in Common

Diuretic, Spleen-tonic, Burns-toxins, Decongestant, Expectorant, Stimulates-energy, Analgesic, Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Antispasmodic, Carminative

LEARN MORE

Cardamom

Cardamom has these Actions in Common

Antispasmodic, Carminative, Diuretic, Lung-tonic, Stimulates-energy, Appetizer, Decongestant, Expectorant, Nervine, Analgesic, Burns-toxins, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Spleen-tonic

LEARN MORE

Dill

Dill has these Actions in Common

Appetizer, Digestive, Galactagogue, Spleen-tonic, Burns-toxins, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant, Stimulates-energy, Antispasmodic, Carminative, Expectorant, Nervine, Stomachic

LEARN MORE

Caraway Seeds

Caraway Seeds has these Actions in Common

Stimulates-energy, Analgesic, Burns-toxins, Digestive, Lung-tonic, Stomachic, Antispasmodic, Cardiac-stimulant, Immune-calming, Spleen-tonic, Antitussive, Carminative, Internal-detoxicant

LEARN MORE

Mustard Powder

Mustard Powder has these Actions in Common

Burns-toxins, Decongestant, Expectorant, Stimulates-energy, Analgesic, Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Antispasmodic, Carminative, Diuretic, Spleen-tonic

LEARN MORE

Thyme (fresh)

Thyme (fresh) has these Actions in Common

Antispasmodic, Decongestant, Immune-calming, Nervine, Vulnerary, Appetizer, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Spleen-tonic, Burns-toxins, Expectorant, Lung-tonic, Stimulates-energy

LEARN MORE

Fenugreek

Fenugreek has these Actions in Common

Vulnerary, Carminative, Estrogenic, Internal-detoxicant, Stimulates-energy, Digestive, Expectorant, Nervine, Stomachic, Burns-toxins, Diuretic, Galactagogue, Spleen-tonic

LEARN MORE

Allspice

Allspice has these Actions in Common

Antispasmodic, Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Spleen-tonic, Appetizer, Carminative, Internal-detoxicant, Stimulates-energy, Analgesic, Burns-toxins, Decongestant, Nervine, Stomachic

LEARN MORE

Herb Supplements with a Similar Nature to Fennel Seeds

Thyme White Essential Oil - 1/3 oz

Thyme White Essential Oil - 1/3 oz has these Actions in Common

Expectorant, Immune-calming, Internal-detoxicant, Antispasmodic, Lung-tonic, Appetizer, Nervine, Burns-toxins, Spleen-tonic, Decongestant, Stimulates-energy, Digestive, Vulnerary

LEARN MORE

Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi)

Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common

Decongestant, Stomachic, Diuretic, Expectorant, Immune-calming, Antispasmodic, Internal-detoxicant, Appetizer, Lung-tonic, Burns-toxins, Nervine, Cardiac-stimulant, Stimulates-energy

LEARN MORE

Wild Ginger

Wild Ginger has these Actions in Common

Digestive, Expectorant, Analgesic, Immune-calming, Antispasmodic, Internal-detoxicant, Appetizer, Spleen-tonic, Burns-toxins, Stimulates-energy, Cardiac-stimulant, Carminative

LEARN MORE

Angelica

Angelica has these Actions in Common

Decongestant, Digestive, Expectorant, Immune-calming, Lung-tonic, Analgesic, Nervine, Antispasmodic, Stimulates-energy, Cardiac-stimulant, Stomachic

LEARN MORE

Dong Quai

Dong Quai has these Actions in Common

Carminative, Digestive, Estrogenic, Expectorant, Immune-calming, Analgesic, Internal-detoxicant, Antispasmodic, Nervine, Cardiac-stimulant, Stimulates-energy

LEARN MORE

Deodar (Himalayan Cedar, Devadaru)

Deodar (Himalayan Cedar, Devadaru) has these Actions in Common

Analgesic, Nervine, Antispasmodic, Stimulates-energy, Cardiac-stimulant, Carminative, Decongestant, Digestive, Diuretic, Immune-calming

LEARN MORE

Haritaki

Haritaki has these Actions in Common

Immune-calming, Internal-detoxicant, Antispasmodic, Nervine, Appetizer, Vulnerary, Carminative, Digestive, Diuretic, Expectorant

LEARN MORE

Licorice Root (Yastimadhu)

Licorice Root (Yastimadhu) has these Actions in Common

Analgesic, Nervine, Antiandrogen, Vulnerary, Antitussive, Carminative, Estrogenic, Expectorant, Immune-calming, Lung-tonic

LEARN MORE

Licorice Ghee (9oz)

Licorice Ghee (9oz) has these Actions in Common

Antiandrogen, Vulnerary, Antitussive, Carminative, Estrogenic, Expectorant, Immune-calming, Lung-tonic, Analgesic, Nervine

LEARN MORE

Belly breathing

Belly breathing has these Actions in Common

Cardiac-stimulant, Decongestant, Digestive, Expectorant, Internal-detoxicant, Lung-tonic, Nervine, Antispasmodic, Stimulates-energy

LEARN MORE

Pennyroyal

Pennyroyal has these Actions in Common

Digestive, Diuretic, Expectorant, Analgesic, Nervine, Antispasmodic, Appetizer, Cardiac-stimulant, Carminative

LEARN MORE

Impact of Fennel Seeds

In each clinical research trial below, students from the Joyful Belly School of Ayurveda ate the selected food for 3 days and reported the pharmacological effects. See other clinical research trials for diet & herbs at Joyful Belly.