21 Surprising Benefits of Fennel Seeds for Skin, Hair and Health – Fennel seeds, or as we normally say ‘saunf’ in hindi, is a very popular aromatic herb. It belongs to the parsley family and has a sweet taste, quite similar to anise. We, in India, use saunf which is fennel seeds in hindi, in our cooking and also eat a pinch of it post-meal for better digestion. However, fennel seeds have several medicinal uses owing to its rich nutrient content. Saunf, together with thyme, nettle, mugwort, etc has been listed as one of the nine Anglo-saxon sacred herbs, due to its numerous health benefits. Saunf, or fennel seeds, have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, diuretic, anti carcinogenic as well as anti-oxidant properties. No wonder, saunf seeds are considered super healthy.
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Let us first check out some interesting facts about fennel seeds, or saunf.
What is Fennel Seeds
Saunf, which is fennel seeds in Hindi, is a perennial herb belonging to the parsley family. The scientific name of saunf is Foeniculum vulgare. Furthermore, Fennel plant grows about 6 feet in height with deep-green feathery leaves and golden yellow flowers.
The plant is native to Southern Europe, as well as Middle-East, China, India, Turkey. The fennel seeds are about 3-4 mm long, oblong shaped, light brown in color with thin vertical stripes all over the body. Fennel bulb is also used as a vegetable in Mediterranean cuisine.
Fennel in Different Indian Languages
- Saunf in Hindi
- Peddajeelakarra/Sopu/sompu in Telugu
- Perunjeeragam in Tamil
- Perumjeerakam in Malayalam
- Sompu/Badi-Sopu/Dodda Jeerige/Dodda Sompu in Kannada
- Panmohuri/Mauri in Bengali
- Variari/Warjari in Gujarati
- Saunf/Badishep in Marathi
- Badi Saunf/Shathapushpaa in Punjabi
Now that we know about fennel seeds, let’s find out various benefits of fennel seeds for our skin, hair and health below.
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Benefits of Fennel Seeds for Skin
Saunf is very healthy in nature and loaded with Vitamin C, potassium, manganese, folate, iron, etc. Check out below how saunf benefits our skin.
21 Surprising Benefits of Fennel Seeds for Skin, Hair and Health
Fennel is an extremely beneficial herb for our skin. Below is a list of some amazing benefits of fennel seeds.
- Fennel Deep Cleanses your Skin
- Use Saunf to Clear Up Acne
- Get Rid of Cellulite by using Saunf
- Delay Ageing with Saunf
- Treat Puffy Eyes with Saunf
- Prevent Premature Graying of Hair with Fennel
- Get Strong Hair with Saunf
- Treat Dry Scalp using Saunf
- Fennel is a Rich Source of Antioxidants
- Beat Bad Breath with Fennel
- Saunf Aids digestion
- Fennel Protects against Cancer
- Fennel Gives Relief from Menstrual Problems
- Reduce Obesity with Fennel
- Beat Anemia with Fennel
- Fennel Gives Relief from Respiratory Problems
- Saunf Reduces Cardiac Risks
- Boost Your Brain with Fennel
- Fennel Prevents Cholesterol Absorption
- Keep Blood Pressure under Control with Saunf
- Fennel improves Vision
1. Saunf Deep Cleanses your Skin
Why to use saunf to deep cleanse the skin
This is one of the amazing benefits of fennel seeds for our skin. When used as an infusion, or ‘Fennel Seed Water’, it deeply cleanses your skin by unclogging pores and also taking down all the dirt, grime, excess oil, sebum, dead skin cells as well as germs from our pores.
How to use fennel seeds to clean our skin
Add a tbsp of saunf in a pan of hot water. Let it steep for 20 minutes. Allow it to cool down a bit and add a couple of drops of tea tree oil to it. Tea tree oil also helps to unclog pores and works on acne and pimples. Store it in a glass bottle and wipe your face with this saunf water 3-4 times in a day.
2. Use Fennel Seeds to Clear Up Acne
Why to use saunf to treat acne
It has antiseptic as well as anti-inflammatory properties that are very much essential to combat acne and pimples. The antiseptic properties of perunjeeragam, which is fennel seeds in tamil, fight against the acne causing germs and bacteria, while its anti-inflammatory properties reduce swelling and redness of the acne.
Furthermore, saunf, which is fennel in hindi, has certain compounds in it, such as limonene, anethole and myrcene, which also helps to cure acne.
How to use saunf to treat acne
All you have to do is to make a fennel face pack to clear up your acne. Prepare a saunf infusion by following the aforesaid method. Then add a spoonful of oatmeal and some honey into the water and mix everything together to get a smooth batter.
You can also put everything into a blender and get a thick, smooth mixture. Apply it onto the face, leave it on for 20 minutes and then wash off with lukewarm water. Both honey and oatmeal are known to work on acne, and when combined with saunf, they make a winning formula against acne.
3. Get Rid of Cellulite by using Fennel
Why to use fennel to get rid of cellulite
This is another amazing benefits of fennel seeds for our skin. Saunf has diuretic properties that help to flush out fat and toxins from the tissue. Moreover, it contains a compound known as anethole, which behaves a lot like estrogen, according to researchers.
The estrogen-like properties of sopu or sompu, which is fennel seeds in telugu, stimulates collagen production and help make the skin smoother.
How to use saunf to decrease cellulite
Make a paste by grinding fennel seeds with a good amount of water and then apply the fennel paste to the affected areas. Regular application will smoothen, hydrate and remove cellulite.
4. Delay Ageing with Saunf
Why to use saunf for anti aging
The antioxidant properties of fennel fights off the free radicals that rob oxygen from the healthy skin cells and damage the cells. Saunf has powerful anti aging properties that protects our skin from premature wrinkles and lines.
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How to use fennel seeds to prevent skin aging
- Heat two tbsp of fennel seeds in a glass of water in low temperature for 15 minutes. Let it cool down a bit and add a tbsp of yogurt to it. Put everything in a blender to get a smooth mixture. Apply onto the face and then let it sit for 15-20 minutes, wash off with plain water. This face mask, when applied on regular basis, can give smooth and glowing skin.
- Fennel tea, when consumed daily, helps in enhancing the overall health of our skin. It fights acne and make our skin look bright and young. You can also apply fennel tea on the skin to get plump, soft and supple skin.
5. Treat Puffy Eyes with Fennel Seeds
Why to use fennel to treat puffy eyes
Saunf, which is fennel in Hindi, has amazing cooling and soothing properties. It acts as an excellent natural remedy for puffy eyes.
How to use fennel to cure puffy eyes
- Mix some fennel seed powder with water and make a fine paste. Dampen a soft cloth in ice-cold water and wrap up the paste in that cloth. Use it as cold compress by placing the cloth over the closed eyes. It will bring down the puffiness quickly.
- In case of red, itchy eyes, wash your eyes with fennel seed water for quick relief.
These were some of the awesome benefits of fennel seeds for our skin. Now we will talk about how it helps us to get healthy and beautiful hair.
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Benefits of Fennel Seeds for Hair
Saunf, which is fennel in hindi, can be used for hair in the form of fennel seed water, fennel seed paste or fennel seed oil.
6. Prevent Premature Graying of Hair with Fennel
Why to use saunf to prevent premature graying
Sopu or Sompu, which is fennel seeds in tamil, is very helpful to treat premature graying of our hair, when used topically or taken internally.
It contains high amounts of minerals, such as calcium, potassium, zinc, iron, selenium, manganese etc and its powerful anti oxidant properties strengthen the hair follicles and nourish them. It also stimulate healthy hair growth.
How to use fennel seeds to stop premature graying of hair
- Fennel tea is the best way to use this amazing herb for our hair. Take 3 spoon of saunf and pound them in a mortar and pestle to make fine powder. You can also get ready made fennel seed powder in the market. Now boil 2 cups of water and add the soft powder to it. Let it steep for 15 minutes. Use this fennel seed tea as the last rinse after washing your hair with shampoo and conditioner.
- Drinking fennel seed tea or water on regular basis is also very helpful to prevent premature aging.
7. Get Strong Hair with Saunf
Why to use fennel seeds to get strong hair
Perunjeeragam, which is fennel seeds in tamil, is rich in anti oxidants including quercetin and kaemptorol. It also contains essential oil compounds like chavicol, limonene and anethole. All these compounds are extremely essential for healthy, lustrous hair.
These seeds are also rich in vitamin A, C and B vitamins, which protect the hair cells from free radical damages. As a result, our hair gets stronger and healthier.
How to use fennel seeds for strong hair
Rinsing the hair with fennel water hair rinse is a great way to strengthen our hair strands. Let steep a tsp of saunf in 2 cups of hot water. Let it cool down completely. Add 2-3 drops of rosemary essential oil to it. Stir well and use this as the final hair rinse after shampooing your hair.
8. Treat Dry Scalp with Saunf
How to use saunf to treat dry scalp
A homemade fennel seed-vinegar hair tonic is one of the best natural remedies for dry and itchy scalp. Here’s how to make it –
- Take a cup of boiling water.
- Take a spoon of crushed fennel seeds in a small bowl and pour the water over it.
- To this add 1 tsp each of vegetable glycerin and apple cider vinegar.
- Use a cheesecloth to filter to solution.
- Now massage it all over the scalp and hair.
- Wait for some time and rinse off.
- This homemade hair tonic can be stored in a glass container for couple of weeks.
This was a small list skin and hair benefits of fennel seeds. Now we will find out the amazing benefits of saunf for our health.
Benefits of Fennel Seeds for Health
These seeds are jam-packed with potent antioxidant compounds and several other nutrients, which are essential for our health and well being.
9. Fennel is a Rich Source of Antioxidants
Most of the health benefits of fennel seeds can be attributed to its powerful antioxidant properties. These antioxidants fight off free radicals in our body. Saunf, which is fennel in hindi, prevents many diseases.
10. Beat Bad Breath with Fennel Seeds
Why to use fennel seeds to beat bad breath
This is one of the amazing health benefits of fennel seed. It also has anti microbial properties which fight the germs that cause bad breath. The antibacterial and anti inflammatory properties of perunjeeragam, which is fennel seeds in tamil, soothe sore gums.
How to use saunf to beat bad breath
You can chew on some fennel seeds as well as swish lukewarm fennel tea in your mouth and gargle with it to get rid of bad breath.
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11. Saunf Aids digestion
Why to use fennel seed for digestion?
Sopu or sompu, which is fennel seeds in telugu, is very beneficial in providing relief from digestive problems such as indigestion, bloating, flatulence, constipation, intestinal gas, heartburn, etc. This aromatic herb boosts our digestive system.
It has carminative effects that sooth our digestive tract and prevent the formation of gas. What’s more, saunf, which is fennel seeds in hindi, is also highly beneficial in rebuilding the digestive system after going through radiation or chemotherapy treatments.
How to use fennel seed for better digestion
Chew on a tsp of fennel seeds after meals helps in digestion and gives relief from stomach pains as well as bloating. To treat indigestion, drink fennel tea or take 1 & half tsp of saunf powder with water twice a day.
12. Fennel Protects against Cancer
Why to use fennel to protect against cancer
Fennel seeds have very powerful anti oxidant properties that help to beat oxidative stress and thus protect our body from cancers of skin, breasts and stomach. Fennel contains an anti inflammatory phytonutrient called anethole, which has anti cancer effects.
According to a study, this phytonutrient can stop breast cancer cells from growing. This herb also contains other phytonutrients such as quercetin and limonene, that have anti carcinogenic effects.
13. Fennel Gives Relief from Menstrual Problems
Why to use fennel for menstrual problems
Saunf, which is fennel seeds in hindi, has emmenagogue properties, which regulate menstrual flow. It also has phytoestrogens, that help to deal with issues like premenstrual syndrome, menopausal disorders as well as breast enlargement.
A 2012 study has shown that saunf can help in reducing symptoms of painful menstruation. Apart from these benefits, fennel seeds are also used to promote lactation in nursing mothers.
14. Reduce Obesity with Fennel
Why to use fennel to reduce obesity
This herb is an excellent remedy to fight obesity because of its ability to suppress appetite and creating a feeling of fullness. It also boosts our metabolism and break down fats fast.
Also the diuretic properties of sopu or sompu, which is fennel seeds in telugu, helps to reduce water retention in our body that cause temporary weight gain.
How to use fennel seeds to reduce weight
Dry roast this herb, then grind and sieve the seeds and have 1 & half tsp of the powder with warm water daily, twice a day.
15. Beat Anemia with Fennel
How to use fennel to fight anemia
Fennel juice contains a rich amount of iron and histamine, which makes it a great natural remedy for anemia. Regular consumption of fennel juice increases the production of hemoglobin in our body and thus reversing the affect of anemia.
16. Fennel Gives Relief from Respiratory Problems
Why to use saunf for respiratory problems
Saunf has mild expectorant properties that gives relief from respiratory illnesses such as, coughs, cold, flu and sinus congestion.
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How to use saunf for respiratory problems
- Drinking warm fennel tea 2-3 times in a day gives relief from cough and sore throat.
- Boil 2 tbsp of saunf in a cup of water until the water reduces to half. Strain the solution and then gargle with it to treat respiratory illnesses.
17. Saunf Reduces Cardiac Risks
Why to use saunf for cardiac health
This is another amazing benefits of fennel seeds. It has the ability to reduce the risks of heart attack or stroke. Saunf, which is fennel in hindi, contains a high amount of potassium which helps to lower blood sugar level. It also contains folate which is needed to bring down high level of homocysteine.
Homocysteine is an amino acid produced by our body. When the level of this amino acid in our blood gets too high, it increases the risk of heart attacks. Raw fennel root contains a high amount of dietary fiber which helps to control cholesterol buildup in our body.
Vitamin C in fennel seeds also acts as a powerful antioxidant and prevent heart diseases by controlling free radical activities.
18. Boost Your Brain with Fennel
Why to use Fennel as a brain booster
Researches have found that saunf, which is fennel in hindi, acts as a great brain booster. It improves our brain-based skills that we need to carry out any tasks, be it simple or complex.
The high amount of potassium in fennel seeds stimulates electrical conduction throughout the body, which in turn, improves brain functioning and our cognitive skills.
How to use fennel to boost brain
Regular consumption of fennel juice has been found to be really beneficial to boost our memory and overall brain function. It also increases oxygen supply to our brain, relieves depression and delay the onset of dementia.
19. Fennel Prevents Cholesterol Absorption
Why to use fennel seeds to prevent cholesterol absorption
Cholesterol absorption in the arteries of our body is prevented by the action of the fiber binding the bile salts. Fennel seeds contain a high amount of fiber, which decreases re-absorption of cholesterol, and thus, lower the risks of heart related diseases.
20. Keep Blood Pressure under Control with Saunf
Why use fennel to control blood pressure
For a healthy life, it is very important to keep the heart rate and blood pressure under control. However, modern lifestyle has forced people to face various tensions that often affect our heart health and invite risks of heart related diseases.
The high level of potassium present in fennel seeds does the job of maintaining the blood pressure and keep the heart rate under control.
21. Fennel Seeds improves Vision
Why to use fennel seeds to improve vision
This is another very important benefits of fennel seeds. The high amount of essential nutrients present in perunjeeragam, which is fennel seeds in tamil, help to improve eye health. The amino acids and antioxidants present in fennel juice rejuvenate our eyes.
Furthermore, the flavonoids present in fennel juice prevent oxidative stress and helps to avoid macular degeneration.
These were 21 amazing benefits of fennel seeds for our health, skin as well as hair. As you have already seen this herb is a powerhouse of various vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients. And this age old health secret is easily available in our kitchen self. We just need to unveil them, just like we did in this article on fennel seeds.
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Storage of Fennel Seeds
Fennel seeds are easily available in the market in the form of either seeds or ground form. However, it is suggested that one should buy whole seeds, instead of fennel powder, because the processed ground form may often contain adulterated spicy powders.
Store dry fennel seeds in clean, air-tight container and ground or powdered fennel seeds should be stored in refrigerator in airtight containers. Also, ground fennel seeds should be used sooner as it loses its flavor quickly due to evaporation of its essential oils.
Word of Caution
Yes, even natural things can cause adverse reaction in our body if you are allergic to that particular ingredient. Since moderation is the key, so one should never consume saunf in large amounts. In fact if taken in larger amounts, certain compounds present in saunf can be neurotoxic in higher concentration and may cause hallucination.
Also, pregnant woman are also advised not to take fennel seeds. If you have asthma or any other allergic reactions, make sure you consult your doctor before consuming fennel seeds.
Hope you enjoyed this article on benefits of fennel seeds, stay tuned for more such interesting and informative posts 🙂
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