Fennel: (FOENICULUM VULGARE) – A NATURAL WEIGHT LOSS SUPPLEMENT
Foeniculum vulgare, or sweet fennel, is a natural metabolism booster, an appetite suppressant and a diuretic.
Background: Native to southern Europe, fennel is an ancient herb which was used by both the Greeks and Romans. Fennel is believed to derive its name (Foeniculum) from the Latin word for hay. In medieval Europe, fennel was sometimes stuffed into keyholes to prevent the entry of evil spirits. It was later brought to America by the English colonists, and the seeds were often nibbled during church services, where they became known as “meeting seeds”. Today, fennel is used to season a wide array of lamb, pork, and fish dishes. It has long been a popular folk remedy for losing weight, in part because it is both a known diuretic and a mild laxative.
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Description: Fennel is a large, robust, anise scented perennial which can attain five feet in height. The plant has deep roots and finely divided green leaves, and produces tiny yellow flowers in the summertime. These are followed by round brown seeds in the fall.
Cultivation: Fennel does best in a sunny, well drained location but is highly adaptable, being hardy from USDA Climate Zones 4-10. If started in the springtime in a greenhouse with a temperature of 60 degrees F, this herb can be expected to germinate within two weeks.
Harvest: the leaves may be harvested at any time, while the brown seeds are harvested in the fall, after the flower heads have turned brown.
Parts Used: leaves and seeds.
Research: The European Medicines Agency released a report on the medicinal uses of fennel in 2008 [i] which found, among other things, that adding fennel to the diet of rats for 6 weeks shortened food transit time in their digestive systems by 12%. A 2011 study at the University of Grenada [ii] found that melatonin (which is contained in fennel) helps in controlling weight gain, improves blood lipid (fat) profile, and lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol. Another study done the same year [iii] found that fennel extracts improved antioxidant status and lipid metabolism in rats fed a high fat diet. Finally, a study published in the American Journal of Food Technology in 2012 [iv]showed that rats fed a high fat diet for 24 weeks gained less weight and exhibited lower levels of fat and blood sugar when provided with a daily fennel extract.
[i] European Medicines Agency Evaluation of Medicines for Human Use, London, 2/21/08 “Assessment Report of Foeniculum Vulgare Miller” Doc Ref EMEA/HMPC/137426/2006
[ii] “Beneficial Effects of Melatonin on Obesity and Lipid Profile in young Zucker diabetic fatty rats” Agil, A., et al Journal of Pineal Research, 2010.
[iii] “Effect of Foeniculum vulgare Mill. Fruits in Obesity and Associated Cardiovascular Disorders Demonstrated in High Fat Diet Fed Albino Rats”, Garg, C. et al, Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Vol 08, Issue 08.
[iv] “Regulation of Obesity and Lipid Disorders by Feniculum vulgare Extracts and Plantago ovata in High fat Diet induced Obese Rats” Shahat A.A., et al, American Journal of Food Technology 7:622-632