Fennel

Figure 1. A flowering Fennel plant.

Fennel or Foeniculum vulgare is a flowering plant species in the carrot family Apiaceae. Fennel is widely cultivated both in its native range and elsewhere for its edible, strongly flavoured leaves and fruits. Its aniseed or liquorice flavour comes from anethole, an aromatic compound also found in anise and star anise. Fennel has yellow flowers.

Historically, Fennel was used by ancient Greeks and Romans as medicine, food, and insect repellent. Fennel was one of the main herbs used in the preparation of absinthe, a medicinal elixir in Europe. Fennel was also used in Chinese medicine.

Fennel seeds and oils are used in supplements. Fennel has strong estrogenic properties, meaning that it acts similarly to the hormone estrogen. This may help relieve menopausal symptoms, but it may be unsafe for pregnant women.

Fennel oil has been shown to contain polyphenol antioxidants such as rosmarinic acid, chlorogenic acid, quercetin, and apigenin. Polyphenol antioxidants are potent anti-inflammatory agents and can help protect against oxidative stress. Anethole, a major component of Fennel Oil may help in suppressing one's appetite. This may be useful for regulating one's diet and treating diet-related diseases such as obesity.

Both Fennel and Fennel seeds are nutrient rich sources of food. Per 87g of raw Fennel bulb contains:

•  27 calories
• 3g of dietary fiber
• 12% daily value of Vitamin C
• 3% daily value of Calcium
• 4% daily value of Iron
• 4% daily value of Magnesium
• 8% daily value of Potassium
• 7% daily value of Manganese

Per 6g of dried Fennel seeds contain:

• 20 calories
• 2g of dietary fiber
• 1% daily value of Vitamin C
• 5% daily value of Calcium
• 6% daily value of Iron
• 5% daily value of Magnesium
• 2% daily value of Potassium
• 17% daily value of Manganese

Due to the dietary fiber content in Fennel, eating Fennel or Fennel seeds may help promote better heart health and reduce certain heart disease factors such as high cholesterol.