Fennel (Umbelliferae): Benefits, Effects and Contraindications - Can It Treat Insomnia?

When we talk about fennel, it should be familiar to all of us. It is a common seasoning in our daily life, and fennel also has medicinal, seasoning and culinary uses. So what are the benefits and effects of fennel and its contraindications? Can it treat insomnia? How do you eat it?

1. Introduction to fennel

Many people also call fennel cumin, fennel, or dill.

Fennel is a flowering plant species in the carrot family, Umbelliferae. It is native to the Mediterranean coast and Southeast Asia, but it has now been widely planted in many parts of the world, especially in dry soil near the coast. It is also called fennel and sweet fennel.

Fennel is a cold-hardy perennial herbaceous plant. It can grow to a height of 2.5 m, is powdery green and upright, with a hollow stem. The leaves can reach 40 cm in length. The leaf tips are slender, about 0.5 mm wide. (Its leaves are similar to dill, but more slender.) The flowers are umbels 5-15 cm wide, and each umbel has 20-50 tiny yellow flowers. The fruit is 4-10 mm long and 0.5 mm wide or smaller, with a powdery green seed surface bearing shallow grooves.

2. What are the benefits, effects and contraindications of fennel?

1. Application value of fennel

① Spice use: Fennel is an important aromatic plant. Its leaves and fruit both have a distinctive aroma. After the tender leaves are washed, cut fine and mixed with salt, monosodium glutamate, sesame oil and other seasonings, they taste fresh and fragrant and can effectively promote appetite.

② Medicinal use: In addition to being rich in vitamin A and vitamin C, fennel also has relatively high levels of carotene and calcium. Its seeds can also be used as medicine or spice, and have the effects of dispelling wind, eliminating phlegm, dispersing cold, strengthening the stomach and relieving pain.

③ Culinary use: The seeds of fennel can be eaten and are a kind of seasoning, while its stems and leaves also have a unique fragrance and sweetness. They can be served cold, stir-fried, boiled in soup, pickled, or made into filling for dumplings or buns.

2. Benefits and effects of fennel

Effect 1: Dispelling cold and relieving pain

It has a good effect on uterine deficiency cold, sore waist and back, abdominal bloating, loose stool and hernia caused by cold dampness and qi stagnation, and is generally used together with warming and qi-regulating drugs such as cinnamon, agarwood and combined spicebush root. To treat dysmenorrhea in women caused by catching wind and cold, getting wet in rain or wading in water, and qi stagnation, 15 grams of fennel can be ground into powder and taken with water 3 days before menstruation for 3 consecutive days, which can play a role in warming the meridians, dispelling cold, promoting qi and relieving pain.

Effect 2: Strengthening the stomach, regulating qi, relieving pain and fighting bacteria

The principle by which fennel treats gastrointestinal disorders is that its cells are rich in fennel oil, and this substance can effectively stimulate gastrointestinal peristalsis and help expel gas and reduce pain, so it is often used clinically as a safe and efficient anti-bloating medicine; secondly, fennel oil has a certain effect on fighting bacteria and relieving pain. Simply mash fennel seedlings into juice and drink it, or mash them into a paste for external application, and it can effectively treat malignant sores and swellings and other conditions.

Effect 3: Nourishing and warming the stomach

The fennel oil contained in fennel can also stimulate the nerves and blood vessels of the stomach and intestines, promote the secretion of digestive juices, increase gastrointestinal peristalsis, expel accumulated gas, and has the effects of strengthening the stomach and promoting qi. It is suitable for people with deficiency cold of the spleen and stomach.

Effect 4: Promoting appetite

Fennel seedlings also have a certain effect on treating anorexia in children. Usually, children who do not like to eat can be given some fennel seedlings, which can significantly improve the child's anorexia. Be careful not to eat too much at one time.

Effect 5: Cholagogic effect

Fennel has a cholagogic effect, can promote bile secretion, and increases the solid components of bile.

Effect 6: Nourishing the kidneys and reducing urination

For bedwetting due to kidney yang deficiency, or frequent night urination or bedwetting during sleep, and soreness, weakness, coldness and pain in the waist and knees caused by congenital deficiency, sexual overexertion damaging the kidneys, or age-related kidney decline, fennel can be used together with sharpleaf galangal fruit, mantis egg-case and raspberry.

3. Contraindications of fennel

It is not advisable to eat large amounts of fennel over a short period. The daily limit should be 10 grams.

Contraindication 1: Some people develop allergic reactions after eating fennel.

Contraindication 2: People with yin deficiency and excessive fire should try not to eat fennel.

Contraindication 3: People with heat in the lungs and stomach, or with strong heat toxin, should not eat fennel.

Contraindication 4: Patients with high blood pressure and kidney disease should eat as little fennel as possible.

3. Can fennel treat insomnia?

Fennel can treat insomnia.

Fennel has always been regarded as a seasoning, but it is actually also a common Chinese medicinal herb. Fennel contains fennel alcohol and fennel ether, which can calm people, soothe the mind and relieve insomnia. People who often cannot sleep, have difficulty falling asleep, or feel restless can use fennel to help with sleep.

Preparation method: Sprinkle a little salt on a small handful of fennel, then wrap it with cloth or put it in a small sachet, and place it by the pillow when sleeping.

Note: In summer, when temperatures are high, check the fennel for insects or dampness and replace it in time.

4. How do you eat fennel? What is the dosage?

1. Method 1: The stems and leaves of fennel are very good vegetables and can be used with vegetable salad. The leaves can be chopped and added to dishes, especially suitable for greasy fish dishes; or made into filling to make buns and dumplings. 

2. Method 2: The seeds of fennel are used as a spice, and can also be brewed into herbal tea, which can aid digestion.

① Most people pick its leaves and seeds to make herbal tea. The taste is pungent and aromatic. If you do not like this taste, you can add some honey to balance the flavor.

② Brewing the seeds with barley tea helps promote lactation. Nursing mothers are well suited to drinking fennel tea; it can help digestion and help metabolism.

3. Method 3: Fennel is most suitable for cooking fish. In addition, it is also very suitable for baking bread and making desserts. Its pungent aroma brings people appetite.

Fennel is not suitable to be eaten in large amounts, so it should not be used in large quantities over a short period. Eating a little occasionally is fine, and the daily limit should be 10 grams.

5. The difference between star anise and fennel

There are two kinds of fennel: one is star anise, which is the star anise we use as a seasoning. Its fruit can also be used as a spice, and it is mainly cultivated artificially in Guangdong and Guangxi, Fujian, Taiwan, China and other places. The other is fennel, a vegetable that uses its fruit as a spice and its stems and leaves as the edible part. Because they can remove the odor from meat and make it fragrant again, they are called “fennel”. 

Difference 1: Appearance

① Star anise has eight horns in appearance and is dark brown, with thick, pure horn segments, straight pointed tips, and a stalk curving upward;

② The appearance and color of fennel are very similar to chaff. Compared with fennel, star anise is larger in shape.

Difference 2: Family and genus

① Star anise is a tree plant in the Magnoliaceae family;

② Fennel belongs to the dicotyledon class, Umbelliferae family, and is a perennial herb.

Difference 3: Cooking

① Star anise is mostly used for boiling or braising meat, and can be heated for a long time when stir-frying;

② Fennel is a commonly used spice in meat processing, and it easily burns when stir-frying, so be sure to keep the heat from being too high.

Difference 4: Taste

① Star anise has a pleasant licorice aroma, with mint and fruit flavors, similar to fennel, but with a stronger licorice flavor than fennel. When chewed, it releases a fragrant aroma in the mouth. Indians chew star anise like chewing gum to freshen their breath.

② Fennel has a camphor-like odor, with a slight sweet aftertaste, bitterness and a tongue-burning sensation.

Through the introduction in this article, fennel has quite significant effects. Some beneficial substances it contains can stimulate some nerves and blood vessels in the stomach and intestines, thereby increasing people's appetite and promoting human digestion. In ordinary times, an appropriate amount of fennel can be added to dishes. However, note that people with yin deficiency and excessive fire should try not to eat it.

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