Favourable Fennel

Fennel - fresh from my Dad's garden

When I pay a visit to my parents home in the beautiful City of Busselton, I rarely leave empty handed.

Often, I’m laden with either my mother's home-knitted blankets, beanies or scarves, gluten-free cakes, plant cuttings or fresh produce (whatever is in season at the time) from my father’s flourishing vegetable garden.

My Dad’s prided garden also boasts a plot of fennel and he often gives me a couple of generous, hearty bulbs. The bulb, stalk, leaves and seeds are entirely edible, so nothing goes to waste.

Following a little research and experimenting with various recipes using the culinary herb, I’ve created a delightful salad (below), by combining a finely sliced fennel bulb, red onion, avocado, orange segments, baby spinach, cashews and craisins, tossed in my favourite homemade dressing.

I have also used the bulb for additional flavour in my stuffed baked potatoes, curries, as well as a healthy broccoli soup. The fennel fronds are an excellent counterpart with my smoked salmon and camembert cheese

My creation; Crisp, Fresh Fennel Salad

Inquisitively, I investigated further to learn the origin and health benefits of the delicate anise smelling vegetable and am impressed with how nutritiously versatile the humble fennel herb is.

This unique whitish-green bulb of interacted stalks, topped with feathery green fronds dating back to Ancient Greece, was also used in traditional rituals and festivities.

As a long term sufferer of Rheumatoid Arthritis, I’m often researching natural alternatives to improve my tissue and joint health in order to decrease inflammation that causes pain. I was therefore elated to find that one of my favourite herbs "fennel" is loaded with the body’s primary water-soluble antioxidant Vitamin C, essential for proper functioning of the immune system and combating free radicals. Cellular damage is the result of unconstrained free radicals, which leads to pain and joint deterioration in autoimmune diseases.

The Fennel bulb is also high in dietary fibre, folate and Vitamin B, vital for healthy blood vessels to essentially reduce bad cholesterol levels and potentially remove toxins from the colon to further prevent bowel cancer.

Additionally, Fennel is a great source of potassium, an important mineral that helps to lower blood pressure and furthermore reduce the risk of stroke or heart attack.

I’m somewhat inspired with the medicinal advantages of drinking fennel tea and am now consuming this pleasant infusion and savouring the faint aroma of liquorice, regularly. As a result, my flare-ups have reduced significantly and I have even reduced my medication dosage.

Fresh Fennel Herbal Tea

Listed below are some benefits for consuming fennel tea:

• The tea is a perfect, natural remedy for heartburn, indigestion, flatulence, bloating and eases cramps due to irritable bowel syndrome. It reduces the acid levels and cleanses the intestines of bacteria. The tea also acts as an antibacterial in the mouth and reduces bad breath.

• Naturally, with strong Vitamin C properties, this wonderful tea is an asset in maintaining a healthy immune system, to combat viruses, harmful bacteria and cold symptoms. The infusion reduces fevers, relieves sore throats and treats many upper respiratory tract ailments such as asthma, bronchitis, coughs and congestion.

• Kidneys are cleansed by an increased healthy urine flow through digesting fennel tea as well as proper liver function to balance out hormones and relieve a number of daily symptoms.

• Fennel tea also enhances women’s health and brings relief to those who suffer with PMS, menstrual cramps or menopausal symptoms. Expecting mothers may also find it helps with morning sickness and Greek doctors prescribe the tea for nursing mothers to increase the flow of breast milk.

• If your baby suffers from colic, fennel herbal tea may help as it relaxes the intestinal tract and is completely safe for children.

• Drinking fennel tea will boost your metabolism, allowing you to burn fat faster and helps reduce water retention, making it the best weight loss teas for you!

• Noteworthy; if you suffer with sore, swollen eyes, soak a cotton ball in fennel tea and place over the eye lid to reduce puffiness. Eye infections can also be treated with fennel tea as it is a natural antiseptic.

This is how I prepare my pot of fennel tea:

1. Chop small pieces of the bulb and snippets of the fine, green leaves
2. Add these to the teapot strainer and pour boiling water over the top.
3. Allow the tea to seep for 20 minutes, before pouring a cup to enjoy.

Beautiful fresh fennel tea with a delicious liquorice aroma and taste