Wild fennel is a herb capable of providing excellent benefits to the body. In addition, it is used in the kitchen to prepare excellent dishes.
Wild fennel is a very fragrant aromatic plant with a particular flavor. Thanks to its organoleptic characteristics, this herb is capable of giving incredible benefits to the body. Not only. It can be used in the kitchen to flavor some dishes of the Sicilian culinary tradition.
In this article we will explain what wild fennel is and what are the benefits that can be obtained from this wonderful and fragrant herb. In addition, we will show you how to flavor your dishes. Also, on the site inran.it find information and guides on the use of natural products such as fennel, which allow you to keep fit and in good health: you can find them at Wellness section of the website www.inran.it
What are the benefits of wild fennel
The fennel wild is a Mediterranean herbaceous plant of the Apiaceae family. Known since ancient times for its aromatic properties, its horticultural cultivation seems to date back to the 16th century.
From this plant it derives the term “foolish”, a sense of “cheating, cheating”. The expression “letting oneself be fooled”, in fact, derives from the habit of cellarmen to offer horticultural fennel wedges to those who came to buy the wine kept in the barrels.
This is because it contains aromatic substances that slightly modify the perception of flavors, making the subsequent taste of a poor quality wine tasty.
In phytotherapy, dried fruits or essential oil are used. The fennel is used for those who have digestive difficulties, flatulence or aerophagia. It can be useful for reducing the painful component of irritable bowel syndrome.
Particularly indicated in breastfeeding because it is galactophore, that is, it increases milk production.
How to use wild fennel in cooking
Wild fennel is an aromatic herb that is rarely used in traditional Italian dishes. However, wild fennel is the king of Sicilian cuisine.
Pasta with sardines and fennel, macco di fave, omelette, meatballs. With this aromatic herb in Sicily practically everything is done.
All parts of the wild fennel can be used. You can eat the white heart of cultivated fennel, mistakenly considered a bulb, raw in salads or boiled and au gratin and you can add it to stews.
Wild fennel uses fresh or dried flowers, seeds, which are more or less sweet, peppery or bitter, depending on the variety, leaves and twigs.
The flowers are used to flavor boiled chestnuts, mushrooms in the oven or in a pan, olives in brine and pork, in particular porchetta.
The seeds are mainly used to flavor Apulian tarallini, donuts or other homemade desserts and to spice hot wine, herbal teas or brines.
Wild fennel tea, a real panacea
Wild fennel flavored herbal tea is a real “must”. In all beliefs there is always a fennel tea bag that is perfect for soothe stomach aches and intestinal inflammations.
Preparing it is very easy and fast. Boil 250 ml of water and when it comes to a boil, infuse the wild fennel for 10 minutes. After this time, filter the herbal tea and enjoy.
The contraindications of an inappropriate use of wild fennel
Wild fennel, if consumed inappropriately, can cause nagging stomach pains and even dysentery.
In addition, the active ingredients contained in wild fennel in very high doses can have hallucinogenic effects, for example if concentrated in the essential oil extracted from the seeds.
Finally, small children may dislike wild fennel and it may cause annoying heartburn.
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