- The calendar says that summer has gone, although summer still wants to stay with us, and I would like to take advantage of this time to go to the beaches in search of sea fennel. We head to the coast and head towards the stones of the cliffs and the walls built by man. There are those who say that weeds grow in these places, but I only find wealth, because now they are full of sea fennel. Mature and aromatic marine fennel in flower and even seed.
Like fennel at the indoor sites (Foeniculum vulgare), the marine fennel (Crithmum maritimum) is located at the coastal sites. Despite some similarities, the marine fennel has its peculiarities and interesting uses, so today the article will be for him.
For starters, it's an interesting food, because its leaves are edible. Complex taste blend: anis taste, then celery (familiar), citrus notes behind and above all salinity, the closer it is to the coast. They have started to be used in contemporary cooking, perhaps within a few years it is a whim (or a luxury), who knows!
Behind this complexity of flavors are compact essences: pineno, anetol, eugenol and dilapiola. It is also rich in vitamins A, C and E, contains mineral salts and trace elements (iodine and bromine), phytoestrogens, beta-carotenes and chlorogenic acid.
Like all fennel, it helps digest and expel the wind, but we see that the sea fennel has been used in the kitchen rather than as a medicinal herb, although it serves both. Anchovy and olives in canned or vinegar are still used in the Balearic Islands.
You can eat raw, but in size, because its taste is too pervasive, so the most tender is to use it in vinegar or soaking. Both in vinegar and in oil we would place a quarter or a third of the volume of these two raw liquids, in grips and well chopped leaves. Once stored in the cabinet for a month, it will leak and be fine in the glass bottle. It will certainly give a special touch to salads, purées or sauces.
Due to its content in phytoestrogens, it is suitable for the treatment of fluid retention in menopause and night sweats, both in infusions (dried), vinegar or oil.
The chlorogenic acid mentioned among its components is strong against free radicals and is used in cosmetics to rejuvenate the skin. It can be heated in sunflower oil and made a good skin serum.
Its two essences, anetol and estragol, are neurotoxic at high doses, so we should take them in size (up to three daily infusions). During the first six months of pregnancy it is not possible to take it, but it is during lactation. Not recommended for children under 4 years.
If chemotherapy is available or antibiotics are taken, marine fennel should be taken two hours after taking these drugs. Supplemental iodine receptors cannot be used in case of hyperthyroidism.