In the case of planting a cereal crop, we first need to master its planting time, and then understand the natural environment suitable for its growth and development. Finally, we also need to master its planting method, so that the planted cereal crop can increase its yield. Today, I want to tell everyone about the planting method of fennel, as well as the best time for planting. Let’s explore the world of fennel planting together with the editor.

Planting time

Fennel is a spice, also a food, and also a traditional Chinese medicine, so its application range is very extensive. Generally, fennel can be planted in two seasons, so the planting time is respectively in the spring from March to April, and in September of autumn. Of course, it can also be planted in winter and summer, but in winter, it needs to use greenhouse technology, and in summer, the yield and quality are not very ideal. Generally, spring planting is the best planting time that combines high yield and high quality.

The efficacy of fennel

Fennel is the ripe fruit of the plant Foeniculum vulgare, and after the fruit is set in autumn, the residue is removed and used for medicinal purposes. Fennel has the properties of pungent and warm, and belongs to the meridians of liver, kidney, spleen, and gallbladder. It has the effects of eliminating cold and stopping pain, promoting Qi and harmonizing the stomach. Fennel is pungent and warm, which can dispel cold; entering the kidney, it can warm the kidney and liver, regulate Qi and stop pain, and is the fundamental medicine for treating cold hernia abdominal pain in clinical practice; fennel is pungent and warm, which can warm the middle-jiao, dispel cold and stop pain, and is good at regulating the Qi of the gastrointestinal tract, invigorating the spleen and stomach, stopping vomiting, and has a good effect on cold conglomeration and Qi stasis in the middle-jiao, and Yin deficiency and internal heat in gastric diseases.

Eliminating cold and stopping pain

It has a very good effect on Yin deficiency in the uterus due to dampness and cold, waist pain, abdominal distension and pain, loose stools, and hernia caused by Qi stasis and blood stasis. It is often used in combination with cinnamon powder, Agarwood, and Atractylodes in clinical practice. For women with menstrual pain caused by catching a cold, going out in the rain, or Qi stasis and blood stasis, 15 grams of fennel can be ground into powder and taken 3 days before the period, which can have the effects of relaxing the channels, dispelling cold, regulating Qi, and analgesia.

Promoting Qi and harmonizing the stomach

For those with stomach cold, vomiting, poor appetite, or epigastric distension and pain, it can be used in combination with Braised ginger, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, and other herbs. For patients with chronic gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, who mainly show symptoms such as cold pain in the epigastrium, preference for warmth, aversion to cold, and cold limbs, fennel 100 grams and ginger slices 200 grams can be pounded together, then fried and ground into powder, and 10 grams taken with millet congee three times a day.

After frying fennel and putting it in a cloth bag, it can be used to warm and compress the epigastrium or lower abdomen, which has an excellent analgesic effect on stomachache or abdominal pain caused by cold conglomeration. Modern scientific research shows that the mechanism of fennel in treating gastrointestinal symptoms depends on the rich fennel oil in its cells, which can stimulate gastrointestinal peristalsis, help eliminate gas, and relieve pain, so it is often used in clinical practice as a safe and effective antispasmodic drug.

Warming the kidney and reducing urine

For frequent urination at night caused by urinary incontinence due to spleen and kidney deficiency, or insufficient development from birth, or kidney damage due to sexual exhaustion or advanced age, or kidney failure, it can be used with Fructus Schisandrae, Spermatium Bombycis, and Rubus corchorifolius.

Invigorating the spleen and nourishing the stomach, nourishing the stomach

Generally, when traditional Chinese medicine prescribes a formula for invigorating the spleen and nourishing the stomach, the amount of fennel used is even greater than that of star anise. This is because fennel often contains fennel oil, which can stimulate the gastrointestinal nerve vessels, promote the metabolism of digestive enzymes, enhance gastrointestinal motility, eliminate accumulated gas, and has the effects of invigorating the stomach and digestion, and regulating the flow of Qi, making it suitable for people with weak spleen and stomach. If you have some abdominal pain (which is very common in winter), you can add some fennel naturally when cooking, or add fennel to millet congee.