Fennel in pregnancy: method is prohibited

Fennel - a perennial plant of the family Umbelliferae, native to the Mediterranean and Asia Minor. Fennel cultivated in ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome, as well as in India and China. Fennel is a tall (up to 2 m) plant Direct fleshy, silnovetvistym stem and feathery leaves. The fragrant yellow-green fennel seeds used as a spice and as an ingredient in traditional herbal Phytotherapy and menopause - without the side effects .

The use of fennel

Because of its estrogenic properties, fennel has long been used in folk medicine, and the course is almost all of the plant: greens, trunk, bulbs and seeds. Fennel is rich in nutrient and contains vitamins A and C, vitamin B group (B1, B2, B5, B6, B9), potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, iron, manganese, copper, selenium and zinc.

• Fennel has anti-inflammatory, wound healing, bactericidal, deworming, diuretic, antispasmodic and expectorant action; it is useful in disorders of the digestive system and helps in diarrhea, flatulence and constipation. In addition, in folk medicine fennel is used for nervous diseases and insomnia, as well as for the treatment of inflammation of the skin and acne Acne: facial trouble .
• Fennel seeds useful in the treatment of gastrointestinal disease and colic. It is a reliable antispasmodic, one of the best remedies to relieve spastic abdominal pains caused by indigestion. Chew a teaspoon of fennel seeds after a meal - it helps to digest heavy meals. To make fennel tea, pour one teaspoon of crushed fennel seeds boiled water. Leave to infuse for five minutes, then drain the. This tool helps with toxicosis perfectly combined with a few drops of lemon juice and a teaspoon of honey.

Fennel when women's issues

Fennel is recommended for delayed menses and failure of the cycle. When pregnancy is shown in small quantities: it suppresses the nausea in the first trimester of pregnancy, and also stimulates the appetite. However, "a small amount" - the concept is quite loose, so in order to avoid complications from the consumption of fennel pregnant women should abstain.

The fact that the fennel is antispasmodic, and does not only act on the smooth muscles of the digestive tract, but also in other smooth muscles, particularly the muscles of the uterus, which may lead to menstruation and consequently miscarriage. Of course, this is not always, however, there is a risk of miscarriage, so pregnant women receiving fennel is not recommended.

In addition, for all its benefits, and fennel it has side effects. In addition, it may cause allergic reactions (rash, hives, shortness of breath and abdominal pain), it is possible the development photodermatitis - skin rash caused by increased sensitivity to sunlight

Fennel contains a powerful anti-coagulant, which is based on the results of several studies, causes severe bleeding diathesis Diathesis in children - an integrated approach   young sheep and lambs, similar changes in the womb. These and other teratogenic changes have been seen in children whose mothers took during pregnancy anticoagulant warfarin. The toxicity of the plant estrogens in humans has not been established, but the spillover effects on fertility and fetal development in animals dates suggests that some of these estrogens have a negative impact upon human reproduction. During pregnancy, do not use any popular herbal remedies without first consulting your doctor.

What happens to the gastrointestinal tract of a pregnant woman

Violation of the gastrointestinal tract begins with the first weeks of pregnancy. This happens because of the hormonal changes: the body begins to produce in large quantities female sex hormone progesterone Progesterone - norm and pathology . "The main task" of this hormone is the suspension of the motor activity of smooth muscle of the uterus - is necessary in order to prevent the interruption of pregnancy.

But the smooth muscle of the uterus and intestines subject to a single autonomic nervous system, so suspended and bowel movements. By sedentary intestines barely moving stool and gases - this is what causes the first half of pregnancy constipation and bloating.

In the second half of pregnancy, the growing uterus begins to squeeze the prop and the gastro-intestinal tract, worsening its blood supply, constipation, bloating (flatulence) are amplified. Pregnant women were suffering from the fact that their working intestine with difficulty. What do you do in this situation?

Why fennel should not be taken during pregnancy

Fennel has carminative and laxative (removes gases from the intestines) action. This is a fairly mild herbal preparation, which has almost no contraindications, so why it can not be taken by pregnant women?

The mechanism of action of fennel is the activation of smooth muscle of the intestine. Under the influence of fennel gut begins to move stool and gases moving through it, constipation and flatulence disappear. But, as we already know, the smooth muscles of various internal organs are able to activate and friendly when taking a drug that increases the contraction of muscles of the intestine could start and contraction of the muscles of the uterus, which in turn will lead to a miscarriage. Of course, this is not always, however, there is a risk of miscarriage, and that is why pregnant women receiving fennel is not recommended.

What can help a pregnant woman?

Constipation during pregnancy is necessary to fight for a long time - over the whole period of pregnancy. Women recommends a special diet, contributing to weakening of the chair and push through the intestines. Relaxations promote dairy products, steamed vegetables, fresh juices, and the promotion of stool through the intestines can only contribute to a large amount of feces. However, a pregnant woman can not afford to overeat, then the way out are foods rich in fiber, it is vegetables (fresh and steamed), fruits, cereals, wholemeal bread.

But if a woman will lead a sedentary lifestyle, then no diet will not help her. Therefore it is recommended to walk more in the open air, engaged in physiotherapy, combining exercise with rest.

But even in the case where a woman carefully following medical advice on nutrition and physical activity, there is no guarantee that it will get rid of constipation. In this case, come to the aid the doctor, because constipation - it's too bad if a long time do not have a chair, the decay products that are ready "to leave" begin to re-absorbed into the bloodstream, poisoning the body of a pregnant woman, hence the weakness, malaise, and sometimes nausea during the second half of pregnancy.

Today available laxatives, the reception of which a pregnant woman is not contraindicated, as they do not cause an increase in the motor activity of the intestine .  Laxatives this series draw a fluid, thus increasing the volume of stool and softening them .  These are mainly products manufactured on the basis of lactulose, they gently identities, it is not disturbing the woman and the fetus .  The motor activity of the intestine is increased only slightly and has no effect on the activity of the muscles of the uterus .  Preparations based on lactulose can also increase the amount of normal intestinal microflora due to the fact that laktuleza is for beneficial bacteria beautiful dressing .  Increased intestinal microflora has a positive effect on its operation, since in the gut reduces the amount of gases .  Therefore, preparations in this series - is not just a laxative, they are referred to a number of prebiotics - drugs that promote the growth of beneficial bacteria and thus dehumidifying the intestines .  An example of such a drug is based on laktulezy normolakt .  But there are other drugs, assign them a pregnant woman needs a doctor .