Relieving colic pain and aiding digestion in babies is one of the benefits of fennel, but there are many more.
Fennel is high in nutrients that are important for bone growth, promoting the immune system, stimulating metabolism and it can remedy problems with digestion too. As a natural appetite suppressant, it also helps with weight loss.
The entire plant is edible and the taste is very similar to anise. The bulb and leaves can be used as a vegetable, while the seeds serve as a spice.
Fennel seed is used as a remedy for flatulence and water retention in adults, and fennel water (gripe water) made from these seeds, can help soothe a fussy baby suffering from colic.
Here is a simple recipe for Homemade Gripe Water:
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 tsp fennel seeds, crushed or ground
- 1 bag chamomile tea
- 2 tsp raw sugar (optional)
Crush the seeds with a mortar and pestle or a (clean) coffee grinder. Wrap the crushed or ground fennel seeds in a cheese cloth, gauze or teabag. Drop with chamomile teabag and sugar in a cup and pour in boiling water. Let stand for 10 minutes. Once it’s cooled off you can give the baby a teaspoon before feeding. Bottle and label the gripe water, then store in the fridge (for about 2 weeks).
Other additions can be ginger and dill weed.