The rich flora of the Mediterranean gave the world many plants, without which it is difficult to imagine modern culinary art. These are coriander, rosemary, dill, arugula, celery and many other crops. A representative of this flora is the closest relative of dill - spicy and fragrant fennel.
The properties of this culture were known to man centuries and even millennia ago. It was used by the ancient Greeks, Egyptians and Romans, as well as the culinary specialists of the East. It is currently an important ingredient in many dishes of Mediterranean, Italian, Scandinavian and Chinese cuisine. All parts of the plant are eaten from the root to the seeds, including greens and stems. Soups, salads, sauces, stews, meat and fish dishes acquire a special aroma if fennel is added to them. The properties of the plant, in addition, make it possible to make each dish more healthy and useful, since many components of its chemical composition have a positive effect on the human body.
Fennel helps to normalize the digestive system, eliminating any disorders. It is useful for gastritis, lung diseases, gout, hepatitis, urolithiasis, cystitis. It is also used for disorders of the urinary system, colds, chronic coronary insufficiency. Fennel helps to cope with skin inflammations and acne. The properties of this plant allow you to use it also as an effective sedative. The aroma of its essential oils has a positive effect on the nervous system, so it is recommended for insomnia, neurasthenia, increased nervous irritability.
Iron and the amino acid histidine resist anemia, aspartic acid eliminates bloating and gas, antioxidants (amino acid arginine and vitamin C) and stimulants (magnesium, cobalt and essential oils) have a healing effect on vision and skin condition. Regular use of fennel helps strengthen hair, normalizes the hormonal background in the female body, favors the elimination of toxic substances, aggravates memory and has a wonderful refreshing and cooling effect in hot weather.
Such a long list of useful properties, of course, contributes to the popularity of this plant far beyond its sunny homeland. It is pickled, added to vegetables during preservation, leaves are cut into salads and first dishes, blanched stems and used as a side dish, like string beans or asparagus. Fennel root is used as a spice, adding to confectionery and bakery products. Seeds are also used as a spice or simply chewed to improve stomach function and freshen breath. Ground seeds are an excellent seasoning for meat.
In medicine, cosmetology and aromatherapy, fennel oil is widely used . The properties of this tool allow you to use it in a variety of fields. It is prescribed for tuberculosis, bronchitis, gout, hepatitis, poisoning with alcohol or tobacco products. It is effective in treating stomatitis, pharyngitis and working with problem skin. Of course, in most of these cases, fennel oil is not used as the main treatment, but as an adjuvant, it is simply irreplaceable.
The composition of fennel includes antioxidants, so it has a beneficial effect on appearance. Oil can be added to any cosmetic product or used as the basis for the preparation of home cosmetics. It helps to cope with cellulite, acne, wrinkles and many other problems. A bath with a few drops of fennel oil will help you relax after a busy day. If you need to freshen the air in the room, you can light the aroma lamp with this oil.
However, some of the components that make up fennel, with an overdose, can have an extremely negative effect on the body, so you should not be too zealous. Pregnant women need to use fennel very carefully. The properties of this product will have a truly healing effect on the body, if its application is approached correctly and sensibly.