Fennel - For Sugar Cravings and More

Fennel. If ever there was a time we need this oil it's NOW! Why, you ask? Because two of its main benefits address two big concerns in our world right now.

Sugar Cravings

Added sugar intake can cause higher blood pressure, inflammation, weight gain, diabetes, and fatty liver disease.* Those are some pretty big problems. Scientists are still trying to figure out what the link between sugar and cancer risk is. However, I have heard of people with pretty severe cancer diagnoses cutting out sugar and prolonging their life expectancy.

Sugar is EVERYWHERE! You will find it in food under the names brown sugar, corn sweetener, corn syrup, fruit juice concentrates, high-fructose corn syrup, honey, invert sugar, malt sugar, molasses, and syrup sugar molecules that end in "ose" (like dextrose, fructose, glucose, lactose, maltose, sucrose".

Sugar is not a required nutrient, so you won't really find any stats saying what the "right" amount of sugar is. However, the American Heart Association says women should consume no more than 100 calories of sugar a day, and men no more than 150 calories of sugar a day. That is close to the amount in one 12-ounce can of soda. I think it's safe to say that most people are consuming too much.

So where does Fennel come into play? Fennel has been shown to be a satisfying alternative to sweets. It can help curb those sugar cravings. So the next time you are tempted to throw those sweets in your mouth put a drop of Fennel in your water and drink up. You can also put it in tea.

Breast Milk Supply

It's everywhere on the news. The grocery shelves that should have formula are empty. People are scrambling trying to feed their babies. This baby formula shortage has caused so much worry. I cannot imagine how desperate and helpless those poor mothers feel.

While Fennel cannot fix the formula supply, it can support those that are able to breastfeed and are worried about their milk supply.

Fennel has been shown to help increase a mother's breast milk supply. There are several ways women go about using it for this, but here is one suggestion. Combine 2 drops of Fennel essential oil and 2 drops of Basil essential oil in a 10mL roller bottle. Top it off with a carrier oil. Then roll it around your breasts after pumping or nursing. Avoid putting it on your nipples.

I should also note that I ONLY trust doTERRA oils. They go through rigorous safety measures. They are pure. You know that when you get a bottle of Fennel from doTERRA it ONLY has Fennel oil in it. There are no other fillers or anything else in the bottle. That's a big deal.

Other Uses

Now those are two AMAZING uses for Fennel, but there are other benefits and uses for this little oil.

You can learn more in this short video, and keep reading!

Digestion - Fennel can promote healthy digestion. Eat too much at dinner? Take a few drops of Fennel internally. You can do this in your water, under the tongue, or in a veggie cap. It can help ease bloating, an upset stomach, or sluggish feelings.

Fennel (and Ginger) taken internally can also help keep things moving (if you know what I mean). This is another benefit of using Fennel internally. So try some Ginger and Fennel in a veggie cap or in water for this benefit.

Now what works for one person may not work for everyone. This is why I LOVE that there are so many oils that share similar benefits. So remember, if Fennel does not help with your digestive health, there are several other oils that you can try.

Cooking - Fennel can add a great, savory anise flavor to your cooking. It goes great in dips and salads. You can add it to white bean dips or cucumber salads. Start with just a toothpick amount. doTERRA essential oils are pure which means they are strong. Here is a Fennel Salad recipe you can try.

Immune Response - Fennel contains alpha-pinene and anethole which some studies suggest may help maintain a healthy immune response.

Cellular Health - Fennel can also support healthy cellular function and overall cellular health when taken internally.

Metabolic, Respiratory, and Circulatory Functions - Fennel also may aid these functions when taken internally. Do those sound like body systems you want functioning properly? I think so.

Hair Growth - Fennel can also be found in this serum which may help with hair growth. Give it a try and let me know how you like it!

Want to learn about Fennel in Greek history and mythology, and in Rome? Check out this fun podcast that talks about digestive health and Fennel throughout history.

Now that I've shared some of the great uses of Fennel, I would love to hear from you. How do you use Fennel? If you have never used it, what use interests you the most?

*https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/the-sweet-danger-of-sugar#:~:text

Wondering about other ways essential oils can help your body systems? Check out some of these posts.