Souff

Fennel Seeds

Fennel Seeds commonly known as Souff, is a perennial herb. It is erect, glaucous green, and grows to heights of up to 2.5 m, with hollow stems. Fennel is widely cultivated, both in its native range and elsewhere, for its edible, strongly flavored leaves and fruits. Fennel has become naturalized along roadsides, in pastures, and in other open sites in many regions, including northern Europe, the United States, southern Canada, and much of Asia and Australia.

The bulb, foliage, and seeds of the fennel plant are used in many of the culinary traditions of the world. Dried fennel seed is an aromatic, anise-flavored spice, brown or green in color when fresh, slowly turning a dull grey as the seed ages. For cooking, green seeds are optimal. The leaves are delicately flavored and similar in shape to those of dill.

Fennel seeds help increasing the nitrite content in saliva, making it a great natural way to keep a check on blood pressure levels. Fennel seeds are also a very rich source of potassium and since potassium is an essential component of cells and body fluids, it helps control your heart rate and blood pressure. Drinking fennel tea, regularly helps flush out excess fluids as it works as a diuretic. Fennel seeds and their phytonutrients help clear sinuses. They make a great tea to aid with bronchitis, congestion and cough as they have expectorant properties. Fennel seeds contain Vitamin A, which is important for eyesight. In ancient India, extracts of these seeds were used to improve the symptoms of glaucoma.