Fennel Pollen Spice | Dill Pollen Spice

What is Fennel or Fennel Pollen?

"Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) A plant species in the genus Foeniculum (treated as the sole species in the genus by most botanists). It is a member of the family Apiaceae (formerly the Umbelliferae). It is a hardy, perennial, umbelliferous herb, with yellow flowers and feathery leaves. It is indigenous to the shores of the Mediterranean, but has become widely naturalised in many parts of the world, especially on dry soils near the sea-coast and on riverbanks. It is a highly aromatic and flavorful herb with culinary and medicinal uses, and, along with the similar-tasting anise, is one of the primary ingredients of absinthe. Florence fennel or finocchio is a selection with a swollen, bulb-like stem base that is used as a vegetable"^[1]

"Fennel pollen is, in its most elemental sense, the pollen collected from flowers on the fennel plant. It is prized as an herb and is commonly used in Italian cooking. The fennel plant is native to central Italy’s Tuscany region. It also grows wild throughout much of California and the United States’ west coast. The pollen is popular in a great many dishes, and just a pinch can liven up the flavor of anything from soups to roasted meats..."

"Most pollen does not taste like much; fennel pollen is a notable exception. The fennel plant itself is prized for the licorice flavor of its leaves and seeds. That flavor carries over to its pollen with a buttery, sweet richness.Fennel pollen is frequently sold as a spice in specialty culinary shops all over the world. It is most prolific in Italian cuisine, however. Italian cooks have long been using fennel pollen in pastas, pestos, and as a seasoning to white meat dishes such as rabbit and poultry. Fennel pollen pastries are also common throughout the Mediterranean."[2]

Benefits of Fennel

The fennel plant was very popular among ancient Chinese and was used as a herbal remedy for snake bites.

Ancient Egyptians and Romans also recognized the digestive and antitoxic properties of fennel seeds.

Fennel was also believed effective in treatment of various eye disorders, especially cataracts in old people.

Fennel extract was helpful in expelling worms from ears.

Fennel was also popular as a herbal remedy to lose weight as it provided a sense of satiety. Fennel has also been used as a herbal remedy for infant colic.

In the medieval times, fennel was called as fenklo and was believed to chase away evil spirits and fleas from dogs and that is why fennel was often planted near the kennels of animals.

20 Additional Benefits of Fennel

1. Fennel is popular for its carminative and antispasmodic properties.
2. Fennel is helpful in treatment of dyspepsia, flatulence, anorexia, and gastrointestinal spasms.
3. Fennel is an excellent natural body purifier, as it cleans away the toxins resulting from too much alcohol and food.
4. Fennel is beneficial in treatment of gout, to eliminate toxic waste.
5. Fennel is a natural remedy for hiccups, nausea, and vomiting.
6. Fennel relieves indigestion and stress and by calming the nervous system.
7. Fennel performs a cleaning action on our intestines and relieves constipation and flatulence.
8. Fennel is good for liver, kidney, and spleen, as it acts as a natural herbal tonic for all three organs.
9. Fennel’s antispasmodic and expectorant properties are useful in treatment of bronchitis and whooping cough.
10. Fennel is a natural diuretic.
11. Fennel is helpful if included in weight loss diets.
12. Fennel oil is most valuable oil to get rid of cellulite.
13. Fennel facilitates secretion of milk in breastfeeding mothers.
14. Fennel activates the glandular system mimicking estrogen hormone, thereby increasing breast size in a natural way.
15. Fennel is effective in treatment of menopausal problems.
16. Fennel is a natural aphrodisiac and works best in cases of poor sexual response.
17. Fennel oil utilized in skin creams acts as a natural herbal skin tonic and cleanser.
18. On the emotional level, fennel aromatherapy oil gives strength and builds self-confidence and courage.
19. Fennel increases self-esteem.
20. Fennel provides mental clarity and dynamism in cases of fatigue and mental exhaustion. ^[3]
    

Fennel Pollen Allergies

We do not know of any allergies to fennel pollen as the spores are too large and once cooked become completely inert. We believe one would have to snort an entire 0.5 oz tin, or inhale orally in order to have an allergic reaction. We hope no one tries that. Once the pollen is cooked, however, it will become completely inert and even for those with pollen allergies it is now harmless.

#top

What is Dill Pollen

"Dill (Anethum graveolens) is a perennial herb. It is the sole species of the genus Anethum, though classified by some botanists in a related genus as Peucedanum graveolens (L.) C.B.Clarke.

Dill originated within an area around the Mediterranean and the South of Russia. Zohary and Hopf remark that "wild and weedy types of dill are widespread in the Mediterranean basin and in West Asia. Although several twigs of dill were found in the tomb of Amenhotep II, they report that the earliest archeological evidence for its cultivation comes from late Neolithic lake shore settlements in Switzerland.Traces have been found in Roman ruins in Great Britain."^[4]

Benefits of Dill

1. Digestion: Dill itself is an appetizer and therefore extensively used in culinary. The essential oils present in it are stimulant in nature and activates secretion of bile and digestive juices. These oils also stimulate peristaltic motion of the intestine.
2. Insomnia: Essential oils found in herbs have a peculiar property. They are simultaneously stimulant and sedative or hypnotic, that is, they stimulate as well as pacify. The essential oils in dill are no different. The Flavonoids and vitamin-B complex present in its essential oils, being stimulant in nature, activates secretion of certain enzymes and hormones which have calmative and hypnotic effects, thereby helping have a good sleep.
3. Hiccups: Hiccups occur due to various reasons, primarily due to trapping and repeated upward movement of gases through the food pipe and secondarily due to certain allergies, hypersensitivity, hyperactivity and nervous malfunctioning etc. Dill can help in all of these situations. Being a carminative, it helps expulsion of gases and also reduces gas formation and being sedative, it helps calm down hiccups due to allergies (which is actually hypersensitivity of the body towards certain foreign elements and bile), hyperactivity, nervous disturbances etc.
4. Diarrhea: Diarrhea is caused mainly due to two reasons; indigestion and microbial action. For the first, dill can certainly help as it has very good digestive properties. For the second, it can help again since the Monoterpenes and Flavonoids present in its essential oils are germicidal or bactericidal in nature and can help cure diarrhea by inhibiting microbial infections.
5. Dysentery: Dysentery is primarily caused due to fungal infections. Here too, dill can help as its essential oils are disinfectant in nature and help inhibit fungal infection effectively.
6. Menstrual Disorders: The Flavonoids in essential oils of dill are stimulant and Emenagogue in nature, that is, they stimulate secretion of certain hormones which in turn help maintain proper menstrual cycles. Respiratory Disorders: Kaempferol and certain other components of Flavonoids and Monoterpenes in the essential oils of dill are anti congestive and anti histaminic in nature and help clear congestion in the respiratory system due to histamine, allergies or cough.
7. Oral Care: Dill seeds and leaves are very good mouth fresheners. Apart from that, the essential oils in it are germicidal, anti oxidant and disinfectant in nature. Thus they help end microbial infections in the mouth as well as their anti oxidants minimize the damages caused to gums and teeth by the free radicals.
8. Cancer: Now it is the turn of the Monoterpenes to come under the lime light. These chemoprotective Monoterpenes, being stimulant in nature, activates secretion of an enzyme called glutathione-S-transferase (the radical glutathione is an effective anti oxidant) which is very effective in neutralizing carcinogens, particularly Cyano- and Benzo- derivatives and free radicals, thereby protecting from cancer. The other anti oxidants in essential oils of dill also contribute to this.
9. Other Benefits: Dill is relaxant, fortifying (strength giving), diuretic (increases urination helping removal of toxic substances from the body), carminative (helps removal of gases), anti spasmodic (prevents cramps), anti flatulent, stimulates lactation (galactagogue) and endocrinal secretions, enhances libido due to presence of Arginine and last but not the least, it ensures bone and dental health being a good source of calcium.^[5]
   
   

Dill Pollen Allergies

We do not know of any allergies to dill pollen as the spores are too large and once cooked become completely inert. We believe one would have to snort an entire 0.5 oz tin, or inhale orally in order to have an allergic reaction. We hope no one tries that. Once the pollen is cooked, however, it will become completely inert and even for those with pollen allergies it is now harmless.

1.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fennel

2.http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-fennel-pollen.htm

3.http://soni2006.hubpages.com/

4.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dill

5.http://www.organicfacts.net/

#Top

_{*All information here is given as is, we do not claim it as fact or have any medical documentation on such material. If you find that we have posted false information please let us know.}