Fennel

FoeniculumdulceD. WITH.(fennel)

The effects of fennel on the human body were well known in Ancient Egypt and China. It was eaten and used for cosmetic purposes. Common fennel, or Voloshsky dill, is mentioned as a medicinal plant in the Ebers papyrus. We meet it in the arsenal of medicines of Hippocrates, Dioscorides, Pliny. Avicenna wrote: “Fennel, especially its gum, sharpens vision, it also helps with the onset of cataracts, when they descend into the eye.” Democritus claimed that reptiles eat fresh fennel seeds to strengthen their eyesight, and vipers and other snakes rub their eyes on them when emerging from their holes at the end of winter to clear their eyes. It is useful for chronic fevers. It is given with cold water, and it helps against nausea, fever and inflammation of the stomach due to fever.” In Odo’s poem “On the Properties of Herbs” we find confirmation of Avicenna’s words:

Together with pigs, poison is used against any grass; Having eaten it, the snakes clear their eyes from the dark veil, - So they recognized that this herb can heal the condition of a person’s eyes, which was subsequently approved by experience.

Fennel has established itself as a valuable dietary product, especially for patients with diabetes. Water infused with fennel seed is given to infants for bloating. Fennel oil is part of the licorice elixir (for coughs), and is also used to improve the taste in mixtures.

Medicinal properties

1. Prescribed for diseases of the upper respiratory tract, dry bronchitis (as an expectorant), whooping cough.
2. Increases the secretion of digestive glands, regulates intestinal motor activity. Used in the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, accompanied by spasms of the intestines, stomach, dyspepsia, and pain in the intestines.
3. Stimulates appetite. Effective for poisoning, difficulty swallowing, hiccups, vomiting, constipation, indigestion, and fighting intestinal parasites.
4. Prescribed for the treatment of kidney stones and cholelithiasis, inflammation of the urinary tract.
5. Strengthens the regeneration of liver cells, increases its detoxification.
6. Effective for edema, as it has a strong diuretic effect.
7. It is used for menopause problems, as it has a good effect on the hormonal system of women and regulates menstruation.
8. Increases milk flow in nursing mothers.
9. Antispasmodic, gives a peripheral vasodilator effect (ineffective for acute attacks of angina).
10. Helps lower blood pressure and improve heart function.
11. Has an antibacterial effect.
12. Eliminates bad breath.
13. In folk medicine, it is used for diseases of the liver, kidneys, bladder, gout, hemorrhoids, bleeding and inflammation of the gums, impaired vision, belching, and also as an antidote for alcohol and nicotine, a choleretic and cleansing agent for women in labor before childbirth.
14. Calms the nervous system after emotional overstimulation, improves sleep (especially in children). Helps with nervous vomiting.
15. Improves skin color, smoothes out fine wrinkles. Increases skin turgor, effective against cellulite. Recommended for use in the care of oily, unclean skin.

Dosage

Externally: 6-7 k. per 10 ml of vegetable oil.

Internally: 2 k. for 1 tsp. honey

Since it dissolves well in water, aqueous solutions can be used in the same proportions.

Baths: 5-6 k.

Rinsing: 5 k. per 0.25 l of water.

Compresses: 10 g per 10 g of vegetable oil.

Applications: 2 k. to 5 k. vegetable oil.

Enrichment of cosmetics: 5-6 k. per 10 g of base.

Contraindications. Individual intolerance, 1-4 months of pregnancy.

Note. For children under 7 years old, give no more than 1 k.