The 9 most popular health benefits of fennel tea

With one of those tastes that people tend to love or hate, fennel has been on the health (and dining) scene for quite some time and has gathered various associated health benefits along the way. When using this Mediterranean favourite in the kitchen, slightly bitter-tasting fennel leaves are often roasted and served with fish. The seeds of the fennel plant are dried, ground down and added to spice mixes for different dishes all over the world, from soups, curries and sauces, to fish fishes, pickles, cakes, and… you guessed it, tea!

Fennel tea is made by drying seeds from the fennel plant and brewing them in hot water and is often consumed after meals for its relaxing aroma and apparent stomach-settling qualities. This strong-smelling brew has a liquorice-like taste with mildly bitter afternotes– but actually has nothing to do with liquorice at all! In fact, the fennel plant is closely related to the carrot family.

According to various old wives’ tales, hanging fennel over your door or stuffing it into the keyhole will protect you from evil spirits¹… but let’s move on to some more science-related claims, shall we?!

Fennel has been used as a herbal remedy to help cure several types of infections, including bacterial, fungal and viral cases.

One of the most popular uses of fennel is to help breastfeeding mothers to increase the quantity, quality and flow of their breastmilk, substances that do this are called galactagogues. This claim has not been proven medically, but there is a lot of anecdotal evidence that it could help.^5,6,7 

Drinking any herbal tea gives you time to sit down, relax and inhale the soothing aromas, and fennel tea is no different. In fact, fennel tea has been used traditionally to help ease feelings of stress and anxiety for centuries. A few studies have also found fennel to be an anti-anxiety and anti-stress agent.^8,9 Try sipping on a fresh cup of fennel tea the next time you feel worried or on edge to see if it can help.

As fennel tea could help you unwind at the end of the day and has been seen to help you relax on a physical level¹⁰, it could also help you sleep. Sleep and relaxation go hand in hand, so see if introducing fennel tea into your evening routine can help you feel nice and sleepy and ready for a good night’s kip.

Before mouthwash and good dental hygiene in general were around, people used fennel to help freshen their breath.11 Try having a cup after your morning coffees to see if it helps combat that dreaded coffee breath.

Fennel has been associated with digestive health benefits for centuries and has been regularly prescribed by traditional herbalists to help relieve bloating, upset stomachs, excessive flatulence, and other digestive upsets. Consuming fennel tea warm could help to soothe your digestive system and could also help you relax overall, which usually helps to improve digestive issues.

Constipation can be caused by dehydration and stress, amongst other things. As fennel tea supports good digestive health, helps you to relax and is a fantastic source of hydration, it could help you tackle constipation and relieve some discomfort.

Fennel tea is rich in a group of antioxidants called flavonoids¹², which help the body to fight back against oxidative stress caused by free radicals.

Staying hydrated is key for overall health and a cup or two of fennel tea a day can help you reach those hydration goals in a tasty and soothing way.