Fennel is another herb which has proven beneficial to women suffering from menopause symptoms. While the entire plant is used to treat a wide variety of symptoms and illnesses; the seeds are the source of the phytoestrogens that help treat menopause symptoms.
Fennel is also known as: Sweet Fennel, Wild Fennel, Carosella, Marathon, Meeting Seeds, Funcho, Fenkel, and Finocchio. The plant grows to a height of 5 ft and has light yellow flowers.
Fennel seed is commonly used as a seasoning with fish or the seeds are chewed after a meal to aid digestion and curb appetite. Tea made from crushed fennel seeds increases milk production in nursing mothers. It also strengthens the eyes, brain, hearing, and heart; plus, it acts as an anti-depressant making people "happy".
Fennel seeds contain phytoestrogen and other phytochemicals. The phytoestrogen acts as a mild form of estrogen in the human body relieving menopause symptoms. The other phytochemicals include anti-inflamatory agents and anti-histamine agents. This combination acts to reduce pain and inflamation; decrease or eliminate allergy symptoms; and improve overall health.
No adverse effects have been attributed to fennel; except for people who prove to be allergic (and the allergic reactions are usually mild due to the anti-histamine compounds already in the seeds).
To use fennel seeds, you can either chew the whole seeds as a snack or after a meal; or, you can make a tea by boiling 1/2 teaspoon of crushed seeds in 1 cup of water for 10 - 15 minutes. Then, cool, strain and drink. If you are using the tea, you need to drink 3 cups a day to get the maximum benefit.