Fennel seed/Sombu/Sounf

Fennel seed is a small, oval, and greenish-brown seed that comes from the fennel plant (Foeniculum vulgare), a member of the carrot family. It has a sweet, licorice-like flavor and is used both as a culinary spice and for medicinal purposes.

🌿 Common Uses:

🍳 Culinary Uses

• Spice: Used in Indian, Middle Eastern, Italian, and Chinese cuisines.

• Flavoring: Added to curries, sausages, breads, and teas.

• Mouth Freshener: Commonly chewed after meals in India (often sugar-coated).

🫖 Medicinal/Traditional Uses

• Digestive aid: Helps reduce bloating, gas, and indigestion.

• Anti-inflammatory: Contains antioxidants and may reduce inflammation.

• Hormonal balance: Used in traditional medicine for women's health, such as easing menstrual symptoms.

• Lactation support: Sometimes used to promote breast milk production.

🧪 Nutritional & Chemical Profile:

• Volatile oils (anethole, fenchone, estragole) – responsible for aroma and health benefits.

• Fiber – good for digestion.

• Vitamins & minerals – some vitamin C, calcium, potassium, and magnesium.