Fennel seeds in medicine, dietology and cooking

Fennel seeds have been used by folk healers since ancient times. Modern medicine also did not leave them unattended and actively used as medicinal raw materials in the form of broths and infusions. These seeds are also used in cooking, where they are added as a seasoning in various dishes.

Characteristic of

Fenchel is a perennial herbaceous plant with a thin stem, whose height can reach 1.9 m. In appearance, its greenery resembles dill a little, and its aroma is a mixture of peppermintpepper and tarragon.

The fruiting period is in August-September. At this time, the fruit ends at the ends of the shoots - thickened in the upper part oblong double-seeded. Fennel seeds, as seen in the photo, have a smooth surface, painted in a greenish-gray or greenish-brown color. The length of the fetus is about 8 mm, width - no more than 3 mm.

. The ripe fennel seeds are quite dense, solid, and the oil-stroke strips are clearly visible on them. The ripening of the fruits, as well as the flowering of the plant, occurs unevenly, and therefore raw material is produced in two stages: first the seeds are collected in the central part of the inflorescences, and a little later the remaining ones located at the edges. Dry, as a rule, in the street under awnings or in rooms with good air circulation.

Positive effect on the body

As has been proved by many years of practice, the benefits of fennel seeds are manifested in the highest degree when they are brewed. Such drugs are often used in folk medicine for various problems.

• Help the digestive system. Thanks to the antispasmodic property, pains in the abdomen are removed and the secretory activity of the glands of the digestive tract increases. Fennel seeds help with flatulence, spastic and intestinal colic. Good results in the treatment of constipation show laxative teas - they work very gently, but effectively.
• Improve kidney, urogenital and gallbladder functioning. Fennel seeds have found their application in the treatment of kidney stone and gallstone diseases. And with properly constructed therapy, they help in the treatment of cholecystitis.
• For eye diseases. Preparations of the fruits of the plant have a disinfecting property, and therefore their use is advisable for conjunctivitis, as well as for irritations and inflammations of the eye mucosa.
• Treatment of respiratory diseases. Fennel seeds are used for bronchitis and pneumonia. Having an expectorant effect, preparations on their basis become actual with a strong cough and colds. And using such means for rinsing the mouth, in just a few procedures it is possible to relieve the pain in the throat and eliminate the hoarseness of the voice.
• Pure healthy skin. The fruits of the plant have antimicrobial properties, and therefore are good for dermatological problems. With their use, you can get rid of acne and acne, and washing is very useful in mycosis.
• Nervous system. Useful properties of fennel seeds spread to maintain the work of the nervous system. The use of infusions has a positive effect on the quality of sleep and the general condition - insomnia passes, the manifestations of depression and neuroses are eliminated.

Fennel seed preparations

Consider how to brew fennel seeds in various situations.

• For colds, problems with digestion, against viral infections. Seeds chopped in a coffee grinder, separate a full teaspoon and pour 200 ml of steep boiling water. Drink 100 ml three times a day.
  

  Note! This infusion can not only be consumed inside, but also wipe their eyes with conjunctivitis, inflammation and irritation of the mucosa, use to wash your face and rinse your hair with dandruff!

• With urolithiasis, with a cold for gargling. A tablespoon of chopped fruit brew in a glass( 200 ml) of boiling water and leave for an hour. Take inside 2-3 gulps or use for rinsing in a warm form.
• When pustular lesions of the skin, with neglected colds, accompanied by severe inflammation of the throat. A couple of tablespoons of powdered seeds to brew in a glass of boiling water. Take in a warm form for a couple of sips throughout the day or use it to treat affected areas of the skin.

Fennel seeds for a shapely figure

Fennel seeds show a diuretic effect, accelerate metabolism and establish metabolic processes in the body, and therefore they are often used for weight loss. And the effectiveness of the preparations of this plant is quite high at any age.

In addition, fennel seeds help to calm down and generally have a positive effect on the nervous system, which causes a decrease in "nervous appetite", when a person strives to "seize" stressful situations. Also, this plant helps to normalize the pancreas, resulting in improved carbohydrate metabolism and reduced cravings for sweets.

How to use fennel seeds for weight loss? They can be added to various salads, as well as to prepare broths and teas. Here you can advise the following recipes:

• Tea, which will help reduce appetite. Take 2 teaspoons of fennel seeds, 1 teaspoon fennel stems and green tea, 20 g corn stigmas. Ingredients are mixed and poured with boiling water: a teaspoon of the mixture into 200 ml of water. We drink 20 minutes before each meal.
• Decoction for calming and improving metabolism. Mix one teaspoon of fennel seeds and mint leaves, pour all 650 ml of boiling water and bring to a boil. Reduce the gas supply to the minimum mark and cook the mixture for a quarter of an hour. Finish the broth to filter, cover with a lid and leave for half an hour. Take a glass three times a day.
• A decoction for removing excess fluid from the body. Put 2 teaspoons of dried seeds in a saucepan, pour a glass of water and cook over low heat for about five minutes. Remove the broth from the plate and leave for a quarter of an hour. Filter and drink instead of tea throughout the day.

Benefits for the youngest

Fennel seeds can be very useful for newborns. As is known, infants in the first months of their life are often concerned about intestinal colic, which is associated with insufficient formation of intestinal microflora. Thanks to carminative action, the fruits of the plant reduce the formation of gas and relieve pain.

For newborns fennel seeds are brewed as follows:

• add 2-3 grams of seeds to the mortar and pound them into powder;
• pour 200 ml of boiling water and leave for half an hour;
• cool the infusion should be filtered and add water to again turned out 200 ml.

Important! To offer the baby tea from the seeds of fennel must be very carefully, starting with small portions. Despite the fact that this remedy is safe, in some cases it can still cause an allergic reaction that will manifest itself in the form of itching and rash on the skin.

Fennel tea is allowed to be used from the second week of the baby's life, but beforehand it is necessary to coordinate the actions with the pediatrician. Begin reception from small doses: the first day ½ teaspoon. And if the signs of allergy were not found, then the application can continue, gradually increasing the dosage to three teaspoons a day. Tea should be offered to the child before each feeding - about 1 teaspoon at a time. After reaching six months, the daily allowance is increased to six teaspoons per day.



However, even if on the first day of an allergic reaction after drinking tea from fennel seeds was not followed, continue to monitor the baby's condition is necessary daily. The fact is that it can appear even after 5 days. Therefore, if you started to give such a tea, then during the first few days you should not introduce new foods into the ration of crumbs - this will allow you to clearly trace the reaction of his body to fennel seeds.

If the negative consequences do arise, then the infusion should be stopped immediately. Usually the allergy passes itself through day-the second, but if it did not happen and the itch strongly disturbs the kid in that case the help of the expert is required.

Note! The newborn should only offer freshly prepared infusion of seeds. The rest of the portion may well be drunk by the mother - this will have a good effect on the production of milk and the work of the digestive system!

Fennel seeds in cooking

Fennel seeds have been used in cooking as a spice. They have a slightly sweetish spicy aroma, which can decorate many different dishes. Usually, they are added after preliminary frying in a frying pan or in the form of a powder.

Fennel seeds will sound wonderful in such dishes:

• soups - fish, cabbage, with the addition of pork;
• hot dishes - meat, fish( especially with carp fish species);
• sauces - mayonnaise;
• marinades - for pickles, when preserving vegetables, for example, cucumbers and cabbage, forest berries, apples and even in wet watermelons;
• cold fish appetizers;
• dishes from offal.

In addition, fennel seeds are often added simply to vegetable oil. They are used in the manufacture of liqueurs, puddings, pies, cookies and various confectionery products.

Contraindications

Like other medicinal raw materials, fennel seeds have not only useful properties, but also contraindications.

• The main one is an individual intolerance. And if you feel unwell, nauseated or dizzy after taking this plant's medications or eating dishes that have been added to this spice, then you should stop using it.
• Breastfeeding mothers and women during pregnancy use tea from fennel seeds must necessarily be coordinated with their doctor, as possible the development of an allergic reaction.
• Consultation specialist is also necessary in the presence of epileptic seizures - fennel is able to aggravate the condition.
• In case of heart rhythm disturbances, use fennel seeds and preparations based on it with caution.
• When an overdose is possible indigestion, sometimes uncontrolled reception provokes bleeding.

It is important to remember that fennel seeds can only benefit if used correctly, and start taking them preferably from small doses.