Bloating is a feeling of fullness as if you have solids, liquids or gases inside your stomach. Most of the time that is the real cause, but sometimes there is nothing inside the stomach and you feel bloated. This happens due to falls signals from abdominal muscles.
Bloating is generally a diet related health condition, although there are certain medications and diseases can also cause bloating.
You can get rid of bloating, gases and stomach cramps with simple home remedies such as fennel seeds. It also reduces many gastrointestinal problems including flatulence.
Table of Contents
- How Fennel Seeds Treat Bloating?
- How to Use Fennel Seeds to Stop Bloating?
- Other Benefits of Fennel Seeds
- Tips and Precautions
How Fennel Seeds Treat Bloating?
Eating fennel seeds after meals is widely popular in India for freshening up the breath and improving digestion for thousands of years.
Scientists have also found that various volatile compounds of fennel seeds such as estragole, fenchone and anathole have antispasmodic capabilities to relax stomach muscles to release trapped gases and improve digestion. They are anti-inflammatory too.
How to Use Fennel Seeds to Stop Bloating?
You can use fennel seeds in many different ways to deal with bloating gases and intestinal cramps. Following are 3 widely used methods. Choose what suits you.
1. Dried Fennel Seeds
This is the easiest and most popular method.
- Eat half teaspoons of Fennel Seeds after every meal
- Chew them well
- Add any other digestive aids of your choice, if you want
- Crush one teaspoon of fennel seeds with Mortar and pestle. It will release its volatile oils
- Put the crushed seeds in a cup
- Add boiling water
- Let it steep for 5 minutes
- Drink and enjoy the aroma
3. Fennel and Ginger Tea
- Fill 2 cups of water in a sauce pan and bring it to boil
- Grate 1 inch of ginger root and add to boiling water
- Boil until 1/3 water is evaporated
- Strain the water in a cup. Ginger tea is ready
- Crush 1 teaspoon of fennel seeds by mortar and pestle
- Add crushed fennel seeds to ginger tea
- Let it steep for 5 minutes
- Mix well and drink
Other Benefits of Fennel Seeds
- Improves digestive health
- Cleanses blood
- Relieves Arthritis pain
- Boosts immunity
- Balances hormone levels
- Help women in oestrogen production
- Treats heartburn
Tips and Precautions
- Do not overeat
- Chew well during eating
- Consume one serving of cultured yoghurt daily
- Eat fresh fruits and vegetables daily
- Avoid the food items that have given you allergic reactions in the past
- Consume digestive aids like ginger fennel seeds and lemon etc, during or after meals
- Don't swallow air while eating
Bottomline is you can prevent bloating and gases with some lifestyle changes, and use fennel seeds and other natural digestive aids to treat it.