In ancient times, it was difficult to eat green vegetables in winter, so Chinese cabbage and radish became the main vegetables of the season. However, today, thanks to advanced transportation and agricultural technology, we can eat food from any season.
However, eating more green vegetables in winter can help clear heat, moisturize, supplement vitamins, and improve resistance. Among the many green vegetables, fennel is particularly suitable for winter consumption.
Value of Eating Fennel
Fennel is both a vegetable and a medicinal herb. As a seasoning, it can enhance fragrance and remove fishy odors. As a vegetable, fennel is rich in carotene, vitamins A, B, C, chlorophyll, fiber, and other nutrients, making it a highly nutritious vegetable.
At the same time, the aroma of fennel mainly comes from substances such as anethole and fennel aldehyde, which have the effects of stimulating appetite and promoting the secretion of saliva and gastric juice. Therefore, fennel is often used to make fennel dumplings, fennel buns, fennel salad, and stir-fried fennel with meat.
Medicinal Value of Fennel
In traditional Chinese medicine, fennel has a warm and pungent taste. It has the functions of regulating qi, dispelling cold, stimulating appetite, and warming yang.
Dispelling Cold
It is suitable for abdominal pain, bloating, cold uterus, and diarrhea caused by cold and dampness. Especially in winter after getting cold or getting caught in the rain, fennel can be chosen for consumption, similar to the effects of ginger tea.
Pain Relief
Fennel has a warm and soothing effect on stomach pain and stomach spasms caused by cold stimulation. In addition, consuming fennel can warm the stomach, stimulate appetite, and invigorate the spirit.
Warming Yang
For people with kidney yang deficiency in winter who are prone to feeling cold, fennel has a warming and nourishing effect on the kidneys and is suitable for consumption by the elderly and women. Fennel lamb not only warms the yang and nourishes the kidneys but also has a deodorizing effect. It can also relieve nasal congestion and headaches caused by wind and cold.
Furthermore, fennel has antibacterial properties and can inhibit E. coli, Shigella, and other bacteria. This is why fennel can improve diarrhea and promote ulcer healing.
Fennel has a similar effect to cilantro in facilitating the eruption of measles, making it easier to treat and shortening the duration of the disease.
In addition, there is evidence that fennel has hormone-like effects, analgesic effects, and anti-gastric ulcer effects.
Precautions for Eating Fennel
1. Avoid allergies.
2. People with excessive internal heat should consume less. According to "Depei Bencao," fennel should be avoided by those with lung and stomach heat or heat toxins. This refers to people with lung heat cough, dry cough, and stomach heat causing bad breath, among others.
3. People with dark urine should consume less. According to "Bencao Shu," fennel should not be consumed by those suffering from hot conditions in the small intestine, bladder, and stomach, as it may aggravate the condition.
4. People with yin deficiency should consume less. Generally, excessive yin deficiency will manifest as easy irritation, dry mouth, and restlessness.
