Fennel seeds come from a flowering plant named Fennel plant, whose scientific name is Foeniculum Vulgare. The spice plant comes under the family Apiaceae. The herb fennel is perennial and hardy.
The plant has feathery leaves, and its flower is yellow. You can identify a huge appearance of fennel plants near riverbanks, sea-coasts, and dry soils.
Fennel is a highly flavored herb that is mostly used in cooking. The plant can grow up to 8 feet or 2.5 meters. The length of its leaves is about 40 centimeters. The fruits of the fennel plant are mistaken as seeds. Some same-looking herbs are present worldwide, which are difficult to identify. They are – ajwain, Dill, Caraway, and Coriander. But compared to fennel, they are shorter.
From the article below, you will know so much information on fennel seeds, like – fennel seeds in Tamil name, its cost, health benefits, nutritional values of fennel seed, types, popularity, and availability in the local area, etc.
| English name | Fennel seed |
| Tamil name | Peruncirakam |
| Scientific or botanical name | Foeniculum Vulgare |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Family | Apiaceae |
| Order | Apiales |
| Genus | Foeniculum |
| Species | F.vulgare |
Fennel seeds in Tamil name
Peruncirakam is the Tamil name for fennel seeds. Although english names are well-known, Saunf is the most popular name for fennel in India. Saunf is very familiar to all most all Indians as a mouth freshener after a meal. The word fennel is not that much-used word in a rural area of India. You can use the word saunf.
But if you are far away from the city area of South India, then you have to use the word Peruncirakam for fennel. Otherwise, the local people can’t understand what you need. But in the city area, city stores, or in supermarts, Tamil people also know the word fennel.
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Nutritional value of fennel seeds
The nutritional value you can get from 100 grams of fennel seeds –
| Nutrients | Amount |
|---|---|
| Energy | 345 kcal |
| Protein | 15.8 grams |
| Dietary fiber | 40 grams |
| Carbohydrates | 52 grams |
| Polyunsaturated fat | 1.7 grams |
| Monounsaturated fat | 9.9 grams |
| Saturated fat | 0.5 grams |
| Total fat | 14.9 grams |
| Water | 9% |
| Vitamins | Quantity | % of the daily value |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin B1 ( thiamine ) | 0.42 mg | 36% |
| Vitamin B2 ( riboflavin ) | 0.35 mg | 29% |
| Vitamin B3 ( niacin ) | 6.1 mg | 41% |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.46 mg | 36% |
| Vitamin C | 21 mg | 25% |
| Minerals | Quantity | % of the daily value |
|---|---|---|
| Iron | 18.5 mg | 142% |
| Calcium | 1196 mg | 120% |
| Zinc | 4 mg | 42% |
| Manganese | 6.5 mg | 310% |
| Magnesium | 384 mg | 108% |
| Sodium | 88 mg | 6% |
| Potassium | 1695 mg | 36% |
| Phosphorus | 486 mg | 70% |
The above table shows the nutritional value of dried fennel fruit, which is mostly eaten in fewer quantities and used as a spice. Fennel seeds have food energy and are rich in dietary fiber, protein, vitamins, and dietary minerals like – Manganese, calcium, magnesium, and iron.
The nutritional value you can get from a 235 grams of raw fennel bulb are –
| Nutrients | Amount |
|---|---|
| Water | 212 grams |
| Fat | 0.47 grams |
| Protein | 2.91 grams |
| Carbohydrates | 17.2 grams |
| Sugar | 9.24 grams |
| Dietary fiber | 7.28 grams |
| Energy | 72.8 kcal |
| Calcium | 115 mg |
| Iron | 1.72 mg |
| Magnesium | 40 mg |
| Phosphorus | 188 mg |
| Potassium | 973 mg |
| Sodium | 122 mg |
| Vitamin C | 28.2 mg |
It also contains little copper, zinc, folate, choline, lutein, beta-carotene, vitamin K, vitamin E, selenium, and zeaxanthin.
Photos of Fennel seeds
Health benefits of fennel seeds
Fennel seeds offer antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. Some health benefits of this culinary herb are –
1. Fennel seeds are high in nutrients
The nutrient content in both fennel seeds and plants is high but provides low-calorie content, which is a great thing. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, and it plays a very useful role in tissue repair, immune health, and collagen synthesis. Vitamin C is a very important nutrient that is present in fennel bulbs.
The main reason for cellular damage in the human body is free radicals, known as unstable molecules. Vitamin C also works as an antioxidant and fights against cellular damage.
The mineral Manganese is very helpful for cellular protection, enzyme activation, blood sugar regulation, metabolism, wound healing, and bon development. Manganese is present in both the fennel seeds and the fennel bulb. Fennel seeds have other vital minerals for healthy bone besides Manganese. Those are magnesium, calcium, and potassium.
2. Fennel seeds have very powerful plant compounds
You can get the best benefits from fennel and fennel seeds which come from their potent plant compounds and antioxidant content. Above 87 volatile compounds are found in the essential oil of the fennel plant. The volatile compounds contain quercetin, chlorogenic acid, apigenin, and Rosmarinic.
Your body may be affected powerfully by the potent anti-inflammatory agents, also known as polyphenol antioxidants. According to many studies, antioxidant-rich food can lower some chronic disease risks like type – 2 diabetes, obesity, cancer, heart diseases, and neurological diseases.
There are more than 29 compounds present in fennel seeds, and those are limonene, anethole, methyl chavicol, and fenchone. According to a rat study, limonene, a component of fennel seeds, helps reduce free radicals and protects against cell damage.
3. Fennel seeds help suppress appetite
Fennel seeds help curb your appetite and add flavor and depth to the food. You can prepare a fennel tea by adding 2 grams of seeds to 250 ml of normal tea. If you drink this tea rather than regular tea before your meal, you feel less hungry and eat food with low-calorie content.
On the other hand, based on another study, consuming a little extra fennel seed can increase your weight. So you must consult your doctor or dietician to confirm the number of fennel seeds you must intake. Otherwise, the result will be the opposite.
4. Fennel seeds may boost heart health
You can get various benefits related to heart by regularly consuming fennel seeds and fennel bulbs. They are full of fiber, and as you know, the fiber content in your body helps to decrease some risks of heart diseases such as high cholesterol levels.
You can get 3 grams of fiber from a cup of raw fennel bulb weighing around 87 grams. This quantity is 11% of the DV. According to more than 20 studies, a fiber-rich diet is directly linked to reducing heart disease risks. You can decrease 9% of heart disease risks by adding 7 grams of fiber to your regular diet.
Calcium, potassium, and magnesium are nutrients that help keep the human heart healthy. All the above nutrients are present in both fennel and fennel seeds. If you intake potassium-rich food regularly, it helps to decrease the risks of heart disease and high blood pressure levels.
5. Fennel seeds may fight against cancer
The range of powerful plant compounds in fennel is very wide worldwide. It protects against certain cancers and also from some other chronic diseases. Anethole is another active compound present in fennel and has some properties that can fight against cancer.
According to a tet-tube study, anethole helps to induce apoptosis, suppress cell growth, and program cell death of cancer cells in the human breast. The fennel extract also helps to induce the depth of cancer cells and stop the breast cancer cell from spreading in humans.
According to animal studies, fennel seeds may protect the liver and breast from the bad impact of cancer. These studies need more experiments. So you must consult with your doctor for any kind of serious disease.
6. Fennel and fennel seeds are helpful for breastfeeding mothers
Fennel helps to boost milk secretion in females due to its Galactogenic properties. According to some research, Photoanethole and Dianethole are some specific substances found in anethole. These substances are the main reasons for the fennel plant’s galactic effects.
Prolactin is a hormone that helps signal to produce breast milk in females. You can increase the blood level of prolactin and milk secretion by consuming fennel seeds regularly.
7. Fennel and fennel seeds may contain antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties
Based on some studies, the extract of fennel helps to stop the development of harmful yeast and bacteria like – Candida Albicans, Staphylococcus Aureus, and Escherichia Coli.
Quercetin and vitamin C are two powerful and vital antioxidants present in fennel. They help to decrease the inflammatory markers level and inflammation.
8. Fennel helps to get relief from menopausal symptoms and boosts mental health
According to several studies, consuming fennel helps to provide satisfaction in menopausal women and improve sexual functions. It also helps relieve dryness, pain during sex, vaginal itching, sleep disturbance, and hot flashes.
Based on some animal studies, extracting fennel seeds helps prevent memory deficits related to aging.
Side effects and precautions about fennel seed
Consuming fennel and seeds in a moderate amount doesn’t give you any side effects. You must carefully consume the fennel’s concentrated sources like supplements and extracts.
Fennel acts likewise to the estrogen hormone because of its powerful estrogenic properties. It helps in relaxing menopausal symptoms.
If you consume more fennel seeds or high doses than the required amount, it may be harmful to fetal cells by putting toxic effects. Fennel seeds are beneficial for health, but pregnant women should avoid ingesting essential fennel oil and consuming fennel supplements.
If you intake certain medicines like cancer or estrogen pills, you should avoid fennel because fennel may react badly by interacting with those medicines. So you should always tak advice from your healthcare provider before using essential fennel oil, supplements, or extracts.
Cost of fennel seeds in Tamil areas
In India, the cost of 1kg of fennel seeds is approximately Rs 150 to Rs 300. The highest cost may go up to Rs 500 or more. The cost of fennel seeds depends upon the quality, brand, buying place ( city, rural area, supermarket, or online stores ), type ( organic or inorganic ), and packaging. You must spend around Rs 230 to buy 1kg of fennel seeds in Chennai.
Popularity and availability of fennel seeds in Tamil areas ( Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, etc. )
Fennel is a crop that is produced in Rabi. Rajasthan and Gujarat are the top fennel-producing states in India. They produce 96% of the fennel nationally. Besides these two states, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal also produce fennel plants. So in India, there is sufficient fennel available to use.
All kinds of spices are the hearts of South India. South Indian people love to use spices, including fennel seeds, immensely. Fennel seeds go with both sweet and savory dishes. So the popularity of fennel in Tamil-telling areas is high.
Popular dishes of Fennel seeds in Tamil areas
To get all the benefits of fennel plants, add fennel bulbs to your regular diet with fennel seeds. You can add fennel bulbs to salads. You can use fennel seeds in fish dishes, broths, soups, and baked goods.
Some recipes using fennel seeds are – pasta with tomato and fennel seeds, Tahini with sesame and fennel seed, stir-fried cabbage with fennel seed, fennel seed pastry, sauteed mushrooms with fennel seeds, fennel seeds, and garlic roasted bread, salad with sprinkled fennel seed, etc.
Conclusion
The fennel seeds are aromatic, and the bulbs are crunchy and flavorful. The plants of fennel provide eye-catching health benefits and are high in nutrients. Adding fennel and seeds may provide anticancer effects, improve heart health, suppress appetite, and even decrease inflammation.
To get all the benefits of fennel plants, add fennel bulbs to your regular diet with fennel seeds. You can add fennel bulbs to salads. You can use fennel seeds in fish dishes, broths, soups, and baked goods.
Hope you get all the information about fennel, including fennel seed in Tamil, its cost, health benefits of fennel seeds, nutritional values, types, popularity, and availability in the local area.
Frequently asked questions
1. Is there any side effects of fennel?
1. Consuming fennel and seeds in a moderate amount doesn’t give you any side effects. You must carefully consume the fennel’s concentrated sources like supplements and extracts.
2. Fennel acts likewise to the estrogen hormone because of its powerful estrogenic properties. It helps in relaxing menopausal symptoms.
3. If you consume more fennel seeds or high doses than the required amount, it may be harmful to fetal cells by putting toxic effects. Fennel seeds are beneficial for health, but pregnant women should avoid ingesting essential fennel oil and consuming fennel supplements.
4. If you intake certain medicines like cancer or estrogen pills, you should avoid fennel because fennel may react badly by interacting with those medicines. So you should always tak advice from your healthcare provider before using essential fennel oil, supplements, or extracts.
2. What are the health benefits of fennel and fennel seeds?
1. Fennel seeds are high in nutrients
2. Fennel seeds have very powerful plant compounds
3. Fennel seeds help in appetite suppression
4. Fennel seeds may boost the heart health
5. Fennel seeds may fight against cancer
6. Fennel and fennel seeds are helpful for breastfeeding mothers
7. Fennel and fennel seeds may contain antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties
8. Fennel helps to get relief from menopausal symptoms and boosts mental health
3. What are the methods for using fennel seeds?
Compared to fennel plants, fennel seeds have highly concentrated oil. So you should use at most one tablespoon ( 2 to 7 grams ) of whole and dried fennel seeds in the recipes. Some uses of fennel seeds in foods –
1. If you want to use fennel seeds in your tea, then add only one teaspoon, not more than it.
2. To release more flavor and oil from fennel seeds, you must grind or crush them before using them in any dish.
3. If you want to give your dish a licorice and sweet flavor, toast the fennel seeds before use.
4. You can mix a tablespoon of fennel seeds in the batter that you prepare to bake goods. It can provide a crunch and aromatic flavor.
5. If you want to try fennel as a supplement, buy capsules from the market. You can take 480 milligrams of fennel supplements per day.
6. You can soak fennel seeds in water and then separate the water and seeds after 9 to 10 hours. Drinking water can solve stomach-related problems like gastric.
4. What are the types of fennel seeds?
Generally, there are two types of fennel seeds you can find worldwide. These are wild fennel and sweet fennel, and these are used for cooking purposes.
1. Wild fennel – these fennel seeds are usually used in Eastern and Central Europe. Wild fennel seeds have an earthy and grassy flavor that is similar to the flavor of celery seeds. The use of wild fennel seeds is very limited because of their dissimilar profile to sweet fennel seeds.
2. Sweet fennel – sweet fennel seeds are the most common and used variety. It is popular because of its sweet and aromatic flavor. It is used internationally in many dishes.
5. How does fennel seeds help to fight against cancer?
The range of powerful plant compounds in fennel is very wide worldwide. It protects against certain cancers and also from some other chronic diseases. Anethole is another active compound present in fennel and has some properties that can fight against cancer.
According to a tet-tube study, anethole helps to induce apoptosis, suppress cell growth, and program cell death of cancer cells in the human breast. The fennel extract also helps to induce the depth of cancer cells and stop the breast cancer cell from spreading in humans.
According to animal studies, fennel seeds may protect the liver and breast from the bad impact of cancer. These studies need more experiments. So you must consult with your doctor for any kind of serious disease.
Thank you for sharing this informative one.