Surely all moms are aware that the problems with the belly is the best treatment of so-called baby dill water. But not all of them know that in fact, this water is not preparing dill Dill: benefits and harms of fragrant spices And fennel, which is very similar to it externally. Not by chance he got fennel popularly known pharmacy dill. It is used not only in medicine but also in cooking - as a spice and as a vegetable crop.

Fennel - quite unpretentious culture and grows in many countries around the world, and with a variety of climatic conditions: for example, in France, the UK, Spain, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, as well as in Eastern Europe, Central and Middle Asia, and almost all Both parts of the Americas. Actually, fennel is considered the birthplace of the Mediterranean - supposedly from there he was subsequently circulated worldwide. This herb belongs to the genus of perennial and has a pleasant smell, very reminiscent of anise. In ancient Greece, fennel seeds to be treated as a symbol of success, and in Europe they were called Puritan seeds meetings, as the lovers in the habit of eating them during a romantic meeting Romantic date - add an element of surprise . The plant contains large amounts of essential oils Essential oils and conception: can help the roses?   with a characteristic spicy-sweet flavor. Green fennel tastes sweetish, too: as a refreshing component, it is often added to the compositions of different salads, and make of it a delicious dessert. The peoples of the Mediterranean, which is considered a vegetable fennel primarily guessed it simmer and based on this simple method to prepare a variety of interesting dishes. Fried, baked or boiled fennel in cooking almost never used.

Fragrant Pharmacy

In medicine, fennel is often used as an expectorant and disinfectant. Traditional healers are often advised to drink a decoction of fennel flatulence, pain in the abdomen, coughing, insomnia. According to some observations, the use of fennel broth or tea has a positive effect on milk production in nursing mothers.

In the United States developed practice treatment regimens based fennel kidney disease, gastrointestinal tract, eye, as well as cold and flu. A decoction of the seeds of this plant has a good disinfecting effect and is often used in the treatment of conjunctivitis and pustular skin diseases. In addition, it is known as an effective carminative, has beneficial effects on the digestive system and eliminates problems such as constipation, flatulence, and nausea.

Women experiencing menopause recommend eating fennel oil, contributing to increased production of estrogen Estrogen - the key to bone health   in the body. Essential oil of fennel is perfect for cleaning the body - such procedures is desirable from time to time those who are not able to give up rich food and alcohol. It is also sometimes used in the treatment of liver toxicity.

Features of use

Contraindications to the use of fennel, as well as the side effects, there is little: as we know, he has deserved the trust of even the pediatricians. If you intend to use for medicinal purposes fennel seeds grown in your own garden, it is best to store them in a tightly sealed chinaware or a glass jar in a dark, dry place. They can be sprinkled with homemade scones and cookies before baking, and even add to marinades, pickles and sauces. The main thing is not to overdo it with the amount and maintain the rate, which is defined as one or two grams of seed per liter of liquid.

In cooking, it is appropriate to use fennel leaves and roots - the latter can be digging in the second year the plant, preferably in the fall or spring and putting in fresh food. As condiment root fennel goes well with steamed fish and pork and sometimes quite able to replace the root parsley. Leaves of plants are very suitable for drying, and fresh, they perfectly fit into the vegetable salads, vegetables and greens with dressing of any vegetable oil.

Svetlana Usankova

The benefits of nuts almonds

The structure of almonds contains a large amount of nutrients, so it is considered one of the most illnesses food. A quarter of a cup, or about 35 g of almonds contains 7 g carbohydrate, 7.6 g protein, 4.1 g dietary fiber, 18 g fat, 1.7 g of sugar, 0 g of cholesterol, and 206 calories. In addition, an amount of almonds provide your body following substances: vitamin A - 0.34 IU (international units), vitamin B1 - 0.03 mg, vitamin B2 - 0.3 mg vitamin B3 - 1.4 mg Vitamin E - 9 mg, folic acid Folic acid - the value is hard to overestimate   - 11.39 mg calcium - 91.8 mg of iron - 1.6 mg of manganese - 0.09 mg magnesium - 98.7 mg of phosphorus - 168.6 mg potassium - 257.7 mg Zinc - 1.22 mg molybdenum - 10.2 mg of selenium - 0.98 mg. The composition also includes almond oleic acid - a substance having a mass of useful properties.

Research

Useful fats composed of almonds helps to reduce weight. According to the study, which was attended by 65 people who are overweight and obese, a diet that includes almonds, it helps get rid of excess weight faster than just low-fat diet rich in complex carbohydrates.

The test, which is included in the diet almonds, received 39% of total calories from fat, 25% of which belonged to the monounsaturated fats .  Members of the second group of subjects of fat consumed only 18% of the total calories .  However, only 5% of all fats, which were part of their diet, were monounsaturated, and 53% of total calories came from carbohydrates .  The total amount of calories and protein in the diet of the test subjects of both groups were similar .  Six months later, the subjects of the first group (in the diet which include almonds) and a second group of weight decreased by 18% and 11%, waist - 14% and 9%, the percentage of body fat - 30% and 20 % .  In addition, people regularly eat almonds markedly reduced blood pressure, while patients from the second group is substantially unchanged .  Experts recommend using almonds as a useful snack that quickly satisfies hunger and, moreover, contains a lot of vitamins and minerals .

The antioxidant properties

Thirty grams of almonds contains about 33% of the RDA of vitamin E, which is one of the most important for the body of antioxidants that help prevent the development of a number of dangerous chronic diseases.

Reduction of LDL-cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein

It is also called a poor or bad cholesterol because it can lead to the development of atherosclerosis. The almonds provide useful monounsaturated fats, which reduce the risk of atherosclerosis and associated cardiovascular disease by lowering levels of low-density lipoprotein.

Magnesium and potassium as a means of preventing heart disease

Magnesium is necessary for normal blood flow and oxygen transport through the blood and the number of nutrients. At deficiency of this important mineral may increase the risk of myocardial infarction. To get 25% of the RDA of magnesium, is enough to eat about a quarter cup of almonds a day. Potassium is needed by the body for proper functioning of nerve and muscle fibers, and maintain the optimal blood pressure. Eating adequate amounts of potassium, it can significantly reduce the likelihood of developing disorders such as hypertension and atherosclerosis.

Other useful properties of almonds

Vitamin E and other nutrients, which are part of almonds, a beneficial effect on the skin. Eating just a handful of almonds a day, you can cope with problems such as dry skin Dry skin: care and treatment , Fine lines, dark circles under the eyes, acne and pimples. In addition to this you can a couple of times a week to do a mask of almond oil, honey and lemon juice.

Contained in almonds nutrients riboflavin and phenylalanine are capable of improving neurological function; in other words, they have a positive effect on the working of the brain. For this reason, almonds considered particularly useful for children.

Almond has a high concentration of folic acid (vitamin B9), which, among other things, reduces the likelihood of serious congenital disorders in children. So should eat almonds as a woman who only plan to become pregnant and those who are already pregnant.

Regular consumption of almonds helps to control blood sugar Blood sugar Blood sugar - a very important indicator   - One of the main indicators of human health . One serious problem for diabetics is a sharp rise in blood sugar after a meal. In one study, subjects with each meal eaten a little almond. It turned out that they have blood sugar rose much more slowly than those who did not eat almonds. It is expected that a similar effect can have and the different products that are made of almonds, for example, almond oil, almond milk and almond flour.

It was found that the almonds helps to reduce the probability of the formation of gallstones. The use of only 30 grams of almonds a week reduces the risk of gallstones by 25%.