Sunday, December 6, 2009

Fennel Herb

Have you been looking for a way to detox your body naturally? Have you been worried about how harmful pollutants have stored themselves up in your body through the years and want to get rid of them? Have you tried a lot of Detoxification formulas and even gone to Detox clinics? Mother Nature has given us an inexpensive way that this can be done. It is easy to use and easy to find. Flush out the unwanted toxins from your body regularly with the use of the herb fennel.

Fennel, highly valued as a cooking herb and as a spice, has also been used for centuries as a form of alternative medicine. Essential oil is extracted from the small seeds and this oil contains a lot of phenylpropanoids. There 3 kinds of fennel, the Florence fennel, the sweet, and the bitter kinds. Fennel is used as a diuretic, and the seeds, which are actually the fruit of the fennel, has different kinds of flavonoids and furanocoumarins.

The Romans used the herb fennel for digestive ailments and scientific research has proven that it will get rid of the gases in your stomach and intestine by making it generate wind. Though it may sound a bit undesirable, passing gas is a factor that helps relive gastric pains and colic. The herb fennel also has antispasmodic properties and can help in decongesting bronchial passages.

The part that you would have to use to be able to avail of the amazing properties that fennel has is the fruit, or what is more commonly known as the seeds. You can buy it at the spice section of the grocery, and it is easy to grow your own plants so you will have a large supply of the valuable seeds at minimal cost.

Fennel only takes around 80 days to grow into full size and after 20 more days the seeds will start to appear. If you are to plant the herb fennel mainly for detoxification purposes, plant bitter fennel. To be able to use the herb in culinary and medicinal applications, you can plant sweet fennel. Fennel should not be planted near dill, caraway or tomatoes as the plants might cross pollinate. Different kinds of fennel plants should also not be planted near each other. Fennel is a winter hardy plant and can survive the cold and harsh winds.

Harvest for the leaves in the morning by cutting out a couple of leaves for your use from above the plant node. When the herb fennel is fully mature, you can harvest the entire plant. Harvest for the before it is fully ripe in the morning of a sunny day. Separate the seeds from the pulp and wash then air dry on by placing on a single layer on a tray in a dry place for 6 days. Turn the seeds and remove any excess plant parts and allow it to dry for one more week. Store properly.

To use, crush one teaspoon of the seeds and place into a cup. Add in hot boiling water allow this to steep for ten minutes. You may strain out the seed and add in a sweetener like honey and sugar before drinking. Enjoy your herbal Detox drink every day towards better health.

Ginny Greene is an herb garden enthusiast. For more great tips and advice on growing and using herbs visit http://www.herbgardencenter.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ginny_Greene

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