Fennel — Useful properties and applications. Contraindications

Fennel is a perennial plant that is used in cooking, agriculture, veterinary medicine, perfumery, and is present in folk recipes. It is a relative of dill, but differs greatly from it in different characteristics. Its aroma contains notes of anise, caramel and mint. During the flowering period, the plant spreads the smell of honey.

Fennel looks like dill, smells very similar and is even called drugstore dill, but it is a completely independent and independent plant. Fennel has an onion, but dill does not. Fennel differs from dill in the smell and structure of fruits, they are different in many indicators and characteristics. Fennel has a sweet aroma, reminiscent of anise with hints of mint.

Tea from it is pleasant to drink in hot weather, it cools and gives strength. The name of fennel in Greek is «marathon» (μάραθον). We know this word thanks to traditional long-distance races, but few people know that it is also the name of the place where a grand battle between the Persians and the Athenians took place in immemorial times (and from where the same messenger came running with the long-awaited news). It translates as «the valley where fennel grew». And the hero Prometheus, when he got a fire on the top of Olympus, brought it to humanity, cold and dark in every sense, on the stem of fennel — the essential oils of the plant maintained an even gorenje.

A certain Dr. Stephenson went down in the history of British medicine as a real luminary of science, because he masterfully treated diseases of the respiratory organs and kidney diseases with a kind of magic remedy, the recipe of which he refused to disclose to competitors for years. It must be assumed that his medical fame and the kilograms of pure sovereigns and guineas earned turned against him pharmacists and doctors: in 1739, the English parliament issued a special order obliging aesculapius to reveal his secret.

To the amazement and annoyance of the medical world, the drug consisted almost entirely of a concentrated decoction of fennel. Stephenson must have had a lot of fun: his own fee for selling the recipe was an impressive sum — as much as five thousand pounds sterling.

Chemical composition

Fennel seeds have been actively used in Ayurvedic medicine. The composition of fennel includes many minerals, such as iron, phosphorus, sodium, zinc, potassium. Fennel contains a large amount of vitamin C, B vitamins, carotene, vitamins E and PP, as well as aromatic oils.

Useful properties and applications

Fennel perfectly stimulates the metabolism. Chew fennel seeds when you are hungry — you will see that your appetite will immediately decrease. And tea made from fennel leaves or seeds helps to reduce weight.

Useful and preventive properties of fennel:

— has a diuretic effect. It is included in the collection of soothing herbal
— preparations, strengthens the nervous system.
— fennel oil enhances the production of estrogen. It increases milk production during breastfeeding.
— reduces spasms, helps in the removal of sputum, prevention of whooping cough, bronchitis, pneumonia. Seeds are brewed for coughs and colds. Fennel quickly dilutes sputum.
— enhances the production of digestive enzymes, normalizes the work of the gastrointestinal tract. It helps to reduce pain in the intestines, stomach, eliminates cramps, flatulence and colic. In India, a laxative decoction is prepared from the roots of the plant.
— with fungal skin lesions, fennel products are more often used for lotions, compresses. External washing of the affected area helps well.
— decoction from seeds strengthens the immune system, and essential oil removes harmful substances and poisons.
— fennel herb is an excellent remedy for fighting fungus. They can be used not only to treat the skin, but also any surfaces in the room. At one time, it destroys half of the dangerous microorganisms on the objects.
— the oil protects against toxic destruction of liver cells and skin.
— eliminates sore throat and hoarseness of voice by rinsing with a decoction of seeds.
— decoction of fennel seeds has a strong disinfecting effect. They can wash purulent wounds, inflamed eyes, and rinse your mouth.
— the seeds of the plant contain a large concentration of vitamin A, beta-carotene. They are very useful for the eyes — they strengthen the muscles and moisturize the apple.

Any parts of the plant contribute to the burning of excess fat. With the daily use of spices, the appetite is significantly reduced.

Fennel seeds are also useful for the eyes because they contain retinol and beta-carotene, which strengthen the eye muscles and promote natural hydration of the eyeball.

Fennel is famous for its excellent expectorant properties: it quickly dilutes sputum and removes it from the bronchi, decoction and syrup based on the plant can prevent even very severe and long-standing types of cough.

A decoction of fennel regulates the activity of the sebaceous glands well: if you wipe the skin of the face with it, it will become drier and smoother, the tone will be restored, and acne will pass faster. When rubbing the product into the roots, dandruff and itching of the scalp pass, the hair stays clean longer and does not lose volume.

Contraindications

Fennel is a safe product, it has no significant contraindications, except for allergies to this plant. It is also contraindicated in epilepsy and for pregnant women, as it increases the tone of the uterus and can provoke miscarriage or premature birth. It is not recommended to give fennel to children under 6 years old.
To avoid negative reactions of the body, it is forbidden to eat tubers or seeds with heart rhythm disorders. If you eat it in large quantities, it can cause stomach upset, bleeding, health problems.

How to choose and store fennel

When choosing fennel, first of all look at the greens: it should be fresh, bright green. The upper leaves of the cabbage should be elastic, smooth and slightly shiny — without dents. Immediately look at the flowers: if they have already faded, you should not take them — that’s it, the fennel is overripe. The bulb should be dense and solid white on the outside and on the cut, but most importantly — it should smell. That’s the whole point. It has a peculiar aroma similar to anise.
In the refrigerator, fennel retains freshness for about 4 days. The sooner you eat it, the better: the aroma of fennel gradually disappears.

Attention! The information is for informational purposes only. Before use, you need to consult your doctor.