Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
Vitamin C the most active vitamin in fennel (17% of the daily value) has the strength to zap free radicals looking for a place to cause damage in the body. Other prominent vitamins and minerals in fennel include potassium and folate.
Several other nutrients, namely manganese, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and copper are also found in Fennel.
Use the long, graceful fronds above the fennel bulbs because they contain a number of important vitamins, such as pantothenic acid, pyridoxine (vitamin B6), niacin, riboflavin, and thiamin.
Phytonutrients in fennel seeds and bulbs include the flavonoids rutin, quercitin, and kaempferol, all antioxidants which help the body resist infection and degenerative neurological diseases.
But the most important nutrient in this vegetable might be anethole, which is a component in the volatile oil of fennel and one of the most powerful agents against cancer occurrence, possibly due to a biological mechanism that shuts down or prevents the activation of NF-kappaB, a gene-altering, inflammation-triggering molecule.
Too much fennel can result in photo dermatitis. Those allergic to plants such as celery or carrot are more likely to also be allergic to fennel. Fennel might decrease how much ciprofloxacin (Cipro) the body absorbs. Taking fennel along with ciprofloxacin (Cipro) might decrease the effectiveness of ciprofloxacin (Cipro). To avoid this interaction take fennel at least one hour after ciprofloxacin (Cipro).