Fennel seeds

Herb

Fennel seeds are consumed in the form of tea as a digestive aid since they have a carminative action, helping to counteract flatulence. Fennel tea may also be given to children with dyspepsia and diarrhoea since it helps to relieve intestinal spasms. It is said to have a mild expectorant effect and, if applied as a loose compress to the eyes, to help relieve inflammatory eye conditions such as blepharitis and conjunctivitis.

Availability: widely available from health food shops in tea bags.

Fenugreek

Herb

Fenugreek seeds are rich in mucilage and are made into a tea and consumed as a cough remedy in Mediterranean countries. In Germany they are sometimes used externally to soften abscesses and boils. In Chinese medicine, fenugreek is used as a yang tonic to support the energies of the kidneys, heart and spleen, and help conditions such as poor circulation, listlessness and frequent urination. In clinical trials fenugreek ingested orally has demonstrated an insulin-like effect in the treatment of maturity-onset diabetes.

Ground fenugreek seeds are widely used in Indian cookery.

Availability: supermarkets, delicatessens and Asian grocers.

Feverfew

Herb

Feverfew has a vasodilatory (warming) effect, and this may explain why a proportion of migraine sufferers who consume it regularly experience a reduction in the number of migraine attacks suffered. However, not all migraine attacks are associated with the vasoconstriction (tightening of the blood vessels) which this herb helps to combat.

Availability: usually as capsules, from health food shops.

Few Foods Diet (see Therapeutic diets)

Fibre (see Dietary fibre)

Fish oils

Superfood

Fish oils contain the active ingredients EPA and DHA. The oils are extracted from the flesh of oily fish such as herrings, mackerel and salmon. These oils are not the same as fish liver oils, which are taken for their vitamin A and D content and are not significant sources of EPA and DHA.