Fennel seed

Fennel seeds

Fennel seeds is native to Southern Europe and grown extensively all over Europe, Middle-East, China, India, and Turkey. This herbaceous plant reaches up to 1.5 to 1.8 mtr (about 6 feet) in height with deep green leaves and golden-yellow flowers. Fennel seeds are available either in the form of seeds or in powder form.

This can be used in cakes, puddings, preserves, curry powders, chutneys, pickles, spice blends and more. Store fennel seeds in a clean air-seal container and keep it in a cool, humid free and dark place. Powdered fennel should be stored in the refrigerator in airtight containers. It should not keep long duration since it loses flavor quickly due to evaporation of its essential oils.

It contains many nutrients, essential compounds, dietary fiber, anti-oxidants, minerals, and vitamins. Some of the most important vitamins are, Vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin C as well as many B-complex vitamins like thiamin, pyridoxine, riboflavin and niacin.

Health benefits of fennel seed:

• Fennel water used in newborn babies to relieve colic pain and help aid digestion.
• Fennel seed oil is used to relieve coughs, bronchitis and as massage oil to cure joint pains.

Name of fennel in different region:

Botanical name: Foeniculum vulgare

Kannada: Badisoppu

Konkani: Baddi Xep

Malayalam: Perum jeerakam

Marathi: Badishep

Tamil: Perumjeeragam, Sombu

Telugu: Sopu, Pedda jilakara

Urdu: Saunf, Sanchal

Bengali : Pan, Muhiri, Mauri

Gujarati : Variari

Punjabi : Saunf

Sanskrit : Madhurika

Hindi: Saunf