Get ready to find out 10 beauty benefits of fennel seeds for skin, hair and more!
Fennel seeds have a long rich history. They have been used by Ancient Chinese and Indian people to cure snake bites and purify the body. Roman warriors were said to chew fennel seeds to strengthen their bodies. During the middle ages, fennel was hung outside doors to ward off evil spirits.
In Ancient Greece, fennel has been called marathron, which roughly means ‘to grow thin’. This supports the claims of fennel seeds to suppress appetite and help reduce weight.
In Ayurvedic medicine, fennel seeds have been used in skincare and body detox. Fennel seeds have therapeutic benefits and help calm the mind and relax the body.
1. Deep Cleanses Skin
As an infusion, fennel seeds can cleanse skin by unclogging grime, dirt, excess sebum, excess dead cells and germs from deep within skin pores. To make a fennel seed water infusion, throw in 1 tablespoon of fennel seeds into a pan of hot water. Allow it to steep for 20 minutes. When it cools, add 2 drops of tea tree essential oil (unclogs blocked pores) and store it in an empty glass bottle with a cork. Soak a clean cotton ball and wipe your face. You’ll be surprised at how much dirt comes off!
2. Combat Acne
Fennel has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that are effective in keeping the acne away. Its antiseptic properties fight off acne causing germs and bacteria while the anti-inflammatory properties help reduce acne swelling and inflammation. Fennel seeds also have potent compounds such as limonene, anethole and myrcene, that help treat acne.
3. Natural Facial Toner
Fennel seeds have astringent effects on skin ; they help tighten pores, reduce oiliness and shrink large pores. It also has skin-firming and toning properties that maintains the elasticity of skin. Apply fennel seed tea (store in a spray bottle) onto your face twice a day to tone and tighten your skin.
4. Gets Rid of Cellulite
Fennel seeds have been used in many anti-cellulite skin formulations. An infusion of fennel seeds massaged into cellulite affected skin will smoothen, hydrate and remove unsightly cellulite. Make a paste by grinding fennel seeds with a liberal amount of water and apply it to skin with cellulite.
5. Strengthens Hair Follicles
The beauty benefits of fennel seeds stem from the fact that they are rich in antioxidants including quercetin and kaemptorol as well as essential oil compounds like chavicol, limonene and anethole, which are all vital for luscious hair. They are also rich in vitamin C, A and b-vitamins which protect hair cells from free radicals and scalp irritants. Rinse your hair with a fennel water hair rinse after washing it. To make a fennel water hair rinse, simply let steep 1 teaspoon of fennel seeds in 2 cups of hot water. Make sure the infusion completely cools down before using it on your hair, then add 3 drops of hair growth stimulating rosemary essential oil, stir well and use the hair rinse.
6. Detoxifies the Skin from the Inside-Out
Being a natural diuretic, fennel seeds solve water retention problems and help flush acne causing toxins from our systems. It acts as an excellent skin detoxifier and purifies and soothes skin from the inside-out. In Ayurveda, fennel seeds have long been used for their detox and therapeutic properties. To make a detox-drink with fennel, add 1 tablespoon of fennel seeds into a pan of hot water. Let it steep for 20 minutes. Drink this infusion on an empty stomach regularly.
7. Prevents Premature Graying of Hair
Fennel works both topically and from the inside in preventing premature graying of hair. It is rich in potent minerals such as calcium, potassium, iron, zinc, selenium and manganese, as well as powerful antioxidants that strengthen and nourish hair follicles and stimulate hair growth. Drink fennel seed water regularly for a healthy youthful you.
8. Remedy for Puffy Eyes
Fennel seeds have a cooling and soothing sensation which provides instant relief to hot puffy eyes. Make a paste by mixing fine fennel seed powder with a little water. Wrap this mixture in a damp soft cloth and use it as a cold compress on puffy eyes. To provide instant relief to red itchy eyes, wash your eyes with fennel seed water.
9. Slows Down Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Anti-oxidants in fennel seeds fight off free radical scavengers that rob oxygen from healthy skin cells. It has powerful anti-aging properties that protects both skin and hair from premature aging. Fennel seed water when applied to skin, nourishes and pumps skin cells with moisture, keeping facial skin soft and supple.
10. Gentle Skin Exfoliator
Grind a handful of fennel seeds to make fennel seed powder. This powder has a gritty texture that provides skin exfoliating properties for skin of all types. Use 1 tablespoon of fennel seed powder mixed with 1 teaspoon of water to make a thick paste. Scrub this gently onto your face to scour off dead cells and excess sebum on the skin’s surface. Use circular motions using your fingertips to stimulate blood flow.
I hope you enjoyed the above beauty benefits of fennel seeds! How are you planning on using fennel seeds in your beauty routine?
how much hot water we need to soak fennel seeds ?
how long does the fennel seed spray bottle last… like I mean how long till it goes bad?
Hie Aspen
You are the best. I see these spice/herbs in an Indian shop in our suburb but never knew how good this is. I am a minimalist too. As a single mum of two girls, I leave on a tight budget hence I am so impressed with your website. My 8 year old daughter loves long hair. Hope I will find your website too good to ignore. I hope to get photos and send you after we have tried your recipes.
Great.
Hello, nice article. Thanks for sharing