[peteraugusts]

Fennel seeds are not actually seeds at all, but the fruits of the sweet fennel plant. These seeds are very rich in minerals including magnesium. Two of its main constituents are Anethol and Fenchone. In that Anethol and other terpenoids may inhibit spasms in smooth muscles such as those in the intestinal tract. Fennel seeds may be yellowish or green colours in appearance. While the yellow variety is usually used in cooking, the greener variety is softer, naturally sweeter and much better as an oral digestive and a mouth freshener.