Fennel
Botanical characteristics of fennel
Fennel is a perennial (rarely biennial) plant from the umbrella family. The plant has a yellow taproot. On a straight stem, which has thin ribs, there are successive ovoid triangular leaves. The leaves below are large, while the leaves in the middle and above the stem are sessile. All parts of the plant have a bluish bloom. Yellow small flowers are collected in complex inflorescences - umbrellas. The fruit of fennel is a gray oblong-shaped dysemy. Inside the fruit there are many small and light seeds.
Fennel blooms in summer, and the fruits ripen in early - mid-autumn. Wild fennel is found in the Crimea, Central Asia and the Caucasus. Fertile soil or black soil is best for fennel. This plant is grown in China, Japan, Germany, Romania and other countries of the world.
The beneficial properties of fennel
Fennel contains vitamins of various groups that are useful to the human body, especially during periods of illness. Fennel has antibacterial properties, as well as choleretic and diuretic effects. The plant is used as an antispasmodic agent. It is recommended for people who have impaired intestinal motility. Fennel contains substances that have a calming effect on the nervous system.
Benefits of fennel seeds
Fennel seed oil contains over 87 volatile compounds, including the polyphenolic antioxidants rosmarinic acid, chlorogenic acid, quercetin and apigenin. What's more, more than 28 compounds have been identified in fennel seeds, including anethole, fenchon, methylchavicol, and limonene.
Anethole compound - has antitumor, antimicrobial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. One laboratory study found that anethole inhibits cell growth and induces apoptosis, programmed cell death in human breast cancer cells. And besides, the compound anethole relaxes the stomach.
Fennel seeds suppress appetite. A study in 9 healthy women found that those who drank 250 ml of tea made with 2 grams of fennel seeds before meals felt significantly less hungry and consumed fewer calories during meals than those who drank placebo tea. However, another study in 47 women found that those who took 300 mg of fennel extract gained even more calories. The results of current research are conflicting.
Fennel oil
Fennel essential oil cleanses the entire body and removes toxins. The oil has expectorant, antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties, and also lowers blood pressure, improves heart function. In addition, this oil is used to improve appetite. Fennel oil has bactericidal, diuretic and carminative properties. It is recommended to be used for hepatitis, dysbiosis, cystitis, pulmonary tuberculosis and many other diseases.
In addition to such a huge number of positive qualities, this oil also has negative sides: it should not be used by pregnant women and young children.
The oil is used as a means for massage, compresses and baths.
Fennel application
Fennel in folk medicine is used most often in the form of decoctions and infusions, which are recommended for use for insomnia, flatulence, coughs and abdominal pains. Water is made from fennel, which is called "dill water" and is used in case of gas accumulation in babies. In addition, this plant has a good laxative effect. Fennel helps improve the condition of people suffering from kidney disease, colds and eye diseases.
The seeds of the plant are used to prepare a decoction that helps cure skin diseases and conjunctivitis. Fennel is an excellent remedy for constipation and nausea.
Fennel for lactation. Take 1.5 grams each of the following fruits: fennel, dill, and anise. Now pour this mixture with a glass of sour cream. We mix all this and put it in the oven on low heat for half an hour. Take the finished drug before going to bed every day in a warm form.
Fennel for gastritis. We take the fruits of fennel, licorice roots, wheatgrass and marshmallow roots, 1 teaspoon each. Add 1 teaspoon of chamomile leaves to this. Mix everything well, take 1 teaspoon of this collection and pour 200 ml of boiling water. Leave it to brew for 1 hour. Having filtered the finished infusion, it is used in 200 ml per night.
Fennel oil for bronchitis. Taking 5-10 drops of fennel essential oil, they are dissolved in 200 ml of boiled milk. You need to take the medicine warm, you can sweeten it with sugar.
Fennel for chronic cough. We take the fruits of fennel and grind them. Now pour 1 teaspoon of the finished raw material with 200 ml of water and send it over low heat for half an hour. After removing from heat, filter the broth and take 2 tablespoons three times a day. taking the medicine must be done a quarter of an hour before meals.
Fennel juice for menstrual irregularities. Take fennel herb, carrot and beetroot. Squeeze juice out of them and mix everything in equal parts. You need to take 100 ml of ready mixed juice twice a day.
Fennel for weight loss. Fennel seeds not only relieve hunger, but also have a diuretic effect. Fennel tea is most often used for weight loss. For its preparation, take 20 grams of fennel seeds and pour a glass of boiling water. We put the composition on fire for half an hour. After removing from the heat, let it brew for half an hour. If you want to lose weight faster, then, in addition to tea, you can also add fennel seeds to food.
Contraindications to the use of fennel
Fennel should be taken in small doses, as many people have an individual intolerance to it. In addition, fennel is not recommended for:
- during pregnancy, since fennel contains substances that are competitors of female sex hormones;
- with epilepsy;
- with diarrhea;
- in case of violation of the heart rhythm
Growing fennel
Fennel is grown by seed. Before sowing seeds, the soil must be cleared of weeds, dug up and fertilized. Early spring is best for sowing seeds. Sowing must be carried out, observing the distance between the rows of half a meter. When two true leaves appear on the seedlings, thinning is done. Taking care of fennel is easy: this plant only needs feeding, weeding and regular loosening. To get a delicate thickened stem, the plant must be spud. After 1.5 months from the day of sowing, the thickenings and leaves of the plant can be collected. The leaves are harvested within two months.
The author of the article: Sokolova Nina Vladimirovna | Phytotherapist
Education: Diploma in "General Medicine" and "Therapy" received at the Pirogov University (2005 and 2006). Advanced training at the Department of Phytotherapy at the Peoples' Friendship University of Moscow (2008).
