Tea
Fennel tea
Fennel seeds taste of liquorice and anise, and have been used for cramping so long that the Romans took them on campaign. It loosens the cramp that sits deep in the lower belly and radiates into the back.
Crush the seeds lightly before pouring on water. Whole seeds are closed little capsules, and the volatile oils, which are the active part, stay locked inside. A press with the back of a spoon is enough.
Start a couple of days before you usually get the pain. It works best when it is already there.
Ingredients
- 1 tsp fennel seeds, lightly crushed
- 250 ml boiling water
Equipment
- Mortar or the back of a spoon
- Strainer
- Cup
- Plate to cover with
Method
- 1
Lightly crush 1 tsp fennel seeds, pour 250 ml boiling water over, steep 10 minutes.
Dosage
2-3 cups daily from a couple of days before your period and during it.
Cover the cup while it steeps. The volatile oils leave with the steam.
Shelf life
Whole seeds keep 2 years, dark and airtight. Crush only just before use.
Safety
Fennel is mildly oestrogenic. If you have a hormone-sensitive condition, speak with your doctor before drinking it regularly.
Not in medicinal amounts during pregnancy. An occasional cup is a different matter from three daily.
Fennel is in the carrot family. If you are allergic to celery, carrot or mugwort, try a small cup first.
Fennel essential oil is an entirely different thing from the tea and must not be given to infants or small children.
Period pain that makes you vomit, faint or call in sick every month is not normal. It can be endometriosis, and it belongs with a doctor. Far too many women have been told it is just how it is.
How the herbs work
Fennel contains anethole, which relaxes smooth muscle, the kind the womb and gut are built from. That is why it helps both period pain and bloating.
It is also mildly oestrogenic, which contributes to easing the hormonal turbulence around menstruation.
The content here is general knowledge and folk herbal lore, not medical treatment. In illness, pregnancy, breastfeeding or alongside medication: always talk to your doctor first.