Fennel was one of the Ango-Saxon’s nine scared evil warding herbs, used by Roman women to prevent obesity, and Roman warriors for good health. In a study reported in Menopause in Volume 9, 2017 it was effective and safe for menopausal syndrome!
Foeniculum vulgare, F. vulgare, called fennel, is believed to be one of the world’s oldest medicinal herbs used as a nutritional aid for digestive disorders.
It is actually a plant related to carrots. You can add it to diet, or use the essential oil for benefit.
Adding Fennel To Your Diet is Healthy But Not a Medication
1. Fennel as a women’s herb will never be as potent as HRT (Hormone therapy) or BHT (bioidentical hormone therapy such as pellets) for the symptoms of menopause.
2. Fennel can be eaten raw or cooked and the seeds, the flowers, the leaves are all edible
3. Fennel bulb contains essential oils.
4. Preclinical research shows that there is actual estrogenic activity of the fennel plant. This is the likely source of the effectiveness of fennel for all these effects.
Many Plants Have Estrogenic Compounds, Fennel is no Exception
5. Fennel plant estrogens increase breast milk production.
6. Fennel consumption increases libido in both men and women.
7. Fennel decreases aging hormone symptoms in men.
8. Diets including phytoestrogens and other plant based foods will enhance the menopausal effects of any othere herbal treatment.
Fennel can beautify and improve skin health.
9. Kaempferol is a major flavonoid aglycone found in many natural products, not just fennel, but is abundant in fennel. Kaempferol displays several pharmacological properties, among them antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, and antidiabetic activities, and is being applied in cancer chemotherapy.
Kaempferol-rich food wards off evil by decreasing the risk of developing some types of cancers, including skin, liver, and colon. Remember this caveat: some of the lore of fennel’s medicinal properties were actually dosed with alcohol or spirit based tinctures, so we have to take those carefully, particularly if you are pregnant, on other medications, or consume other alcohol! Come in to Women’s Health Practice to discuss options!
