CCF Tea stands for Cumin, Coriander and Fennel Tea and is an amazing detoxifying tea.

Cumin, coriander, and fennel are commonly used Gem-herbs in Indian and Nepalese kitchen. In addition to their culinary greatness, these herbs have equally important medicinal values.

The tea made by the blend of these 3 elements imparts astonishing health advantages.

So what makes it such great?

Firstly, we have to understand the benefits of cumin, coriander, and fennel seeds separately. This will help us gain insights on their combined benefits.

What are the benefits of Cumin?

Cumin seeds, commonly known as Jeera (जीरा)), is one of the most commonly available item in Indian and Nepalese household and is also considered mom’s favorite item (If you’re an Indian or Nepali, you definitely got it, didn’t you? <wink> <wink> ).

Cumin seeds are warming in its post digestive stage i.e. they have heating potency and through that they stimulate the digestion. It does it through its special compound called Thymol, which helps to stimulate pancreas and activate digestion.

Is it the only benefit of Cumin?

Surprisingly, No!  There are other remarkable benefits of cumin as well. Cumin:

• Stimulates Agni; promotes appetite and assists in better digestion.
• Supports absorption of nutrients.
• Is a rich source of iron and thus prevents anemia.
• Contains appreciable amount of calcium, magnesium. manganese, phosphorus, vitamin B1.
• Cumin is pacifying to both vata and pitta dosha.
• Detoxifies the body by flushing out Ama (Toxins).
• Prevents formation of gas in alimentary canal.
• Eases production of bile.
• Essential oils in cumin have tranquilizing effect; helping you fight stress, anxiety and insomnia.
• Helps loosen up phlegm and mucus in respiratory tract and makes it easier to eliminate.
• Acts as natural laxative.
• Helps with irritable bowel syndrome .
• Helps to maintain fluctuating blood pressure levels in body.
• Helps boost immunity.
• Rejuvenates skin and also prevents premature aging.
• Helps stop abdominal cramps.
• Stimulates menstrual blood flow.
• Promotes breast milk flow.

Pheww, you never knew simple cumin could do all these right? Well, now you know!

Now let’s go to the second ingredient, the Coriander.

What are the benefits of Coriander seeds?

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) seeds commonly known as dhaniya (धनिया), is also very common among Indian and Nepalese household. They are slightly cooling in its post digestive stage and help out in reducing inflammations in body.

They are mostly used in Pitta disorders, especially urinary and digestive ones.

Are these the only benefits of Coriander?

Well, you have already guessed it, haven’t you? There are multiple other benefits of Coriander.

• They help incredibly with bloating, flatulence, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
• They help relieve internal heat, vomiting and morbid thirst.
• Protects against mouth ulcers- Citronella; a powerful constituent in coriander helps cleanse the mouth thus speeding the healing process of wounds and freshening the breath.
• The antibacterial and antimicrobial properties of coriander helps you protect yourself against food poisoning and food borne diseases.
• Being rich in minerals like calcium, magnesium, and manganese; coriander seeds can help prevent osteoporosis and protect bone strength and durability.
• Coriander’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties are great for improving the condition of skin. They help counter common skin issues like rashes, eczema, dryness, and itchiness. Linoleic acid in coriander helps soothe any kind of skin irritation.

Along with all these benefits, coriander also improves memory, promotes healthy eyesight and helps reduce dizziness.

Too much for these small seeds right? Well that’s the beauty of the simple yet effective herbs identified by learned Sages and seers of Ayurveda and followed by Indian civilization.

Now, it’s time to learn about the properties of the third ingredient – The Fennel.

What are the benefits of Fennel?

Fennel seeds, commonly known as Saunf ( सौंफ) , is a sweet spice with cooling property. If you have ever been to an Indian or Nepalese restaurant, you can see fennel seeds in the bill/cheque counter, intended to be consumed before eating the main course. Fennel seeds are often used in bloating, heart burn and indigestion.

Being highly nutritious and low in calorie (yes, nutrient dense!), fennel seeds are incredibly packed with numerous health benefits.

What are the other health benefits of Fennel?

• Fennel makes our gut healthy and happy: Fennel seeds, they do wonders, when it comes to our digestive health.
• They are packed with lots of fiber. A tablespoon of fennel seeds comprise 2 gm. of fiber (Do you know how much fiber an apple contains? It’s about 3-4 gm.). Value for money, right?
• It can help with constipation, abdominal cramps, irritable bowel syndrome and other common Gastro-Intestinal problems and optimize overall digestive functioning.
• Having fennel seeds helps increase the nitrite content in blood and hence keeping our Blood Pressure in check.
• Anethole, one of the main active compound in fennel seeds has been found to exhibit cancer fighting properties.
• For ladies- Fennel helps stop period cramps and hot flashes.
• Having expectorant properties it also aids in bronchitis, congestion and cough.
• Fennel reduces risk of developing macular degeneration and improves vision.
• They have cooling impact on skin hence giving a healthy glow to our skin. If you want to know more about Ayurvedic skin care routine, we have a detailed post on it. You can check Ultimate Ayurvedic Skin Care Routine
• Fennel helps increase breast milk flow.

Now that we have known about all the ingredients, let’s mix everything up into a single drink!

Cumin Coriander Fennel Tea (CCF Tea)

One of the most important benefit of drinking this tea in regular basis is that it balances the digestive fire (Agni) and that too without aggravating the pitta humour of body as it has both the warming and cooling ingredients.

A healthy and sound digestive health always results and resembles to a healthy body.

Thus, CCF Tea enhances overall body metabolism.

It cuts through the toxic build-up in GI Tract and gives powerful detoxification to body.

This tea is also known to be an effective diuretic as it relieves excess water retention of body.

This tea has calming and soothing effect on mind.

How can someone make CCF Tea?

Firstly Heat 4-5 cups of water in a pot (Mud pots are the best)

Add:

• Half teaspoon of cumin seeds
• Half teaspoon of coriander seeds
• Half teaspoon of fennel seeds

Let the tea to boil for 5-10 minutes in medium flame. Now, strain the seeds and your classic tea blend is ready.

Let it cool down a bit and make sure you sip it slowly while it is still warm.

Hope you have a good health and a good life.