Pliny the Elder already mentions a medicinal plant that water fennel could fit the description of. However, because of its toxicity to animals, it is now used only homeopathically, as a finished medicine, and externally. However, deaths in humans have not been documented.
Occurrence and cultivation of water fennel
Water fennel (Oenanthe aquatica) belongs to the umbellifer family (Apiaceae). The plant is also called vine umbel and water fennel. The hardy annual or perennial herbaceous plant grows between 0.30 and 1.20 meters tall. It grows from a rosette of leaves and has narrow green leaves, the lowest of which have additional hairs. They are covered by water. The multipinnate leaves are on a hollow stem covered with fine grooves, which looks similar to the culinary herb fennel (hence the name!). It grows up to eight inches thick toward the root. During flowering in July/August, five white flat disc flowers each develop on eight- to twelve-rayed umbels of the first and second order. After flowering and sprouting of the oval double achenes, the stems die back. The original root grows out to a thin root with tufted root hairs. The plant has a pungent aromatic odor, and its flowers smell of wine. The plant, which used to be used against many diseases, originates from Eurasia, but today it is found almost everywhere in Europe, Siberia, West Asia and as a neophyte even in North America. In Germany, the hiker finds it mainly in the northern states. It prefers sunny to semi-shaded sites of no more than one meter water depth in standing and flowing waters. Therefore, it is found at the edge of nutrient and calcareous ponds, pools, reed beds and in ditches.
Effect and application
All parts of the plant have toxic effects. It shows these properties especially in grazing livestock. That is why it is feared by farmers. The herb contains oenanthotoxin (habermeal) and dihydrooenanthotoxin, two substances that block the activity of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. As a result, strong muscle spasms occur. In addition, the plant still contains resins, gum, wax, fatty oil, essential oil, lignans, matairesinol and secoisolariciresinol. Nevertheless, water fennel is not as poisonous as water hemlock. As a result of poisoning with the ancient medicinal herb, there is increased salivation, gastrointestinal problems, pupil dilation, states of agitation, increased heart and respiratory rates, and tremors. It used to be valued in folk medicine for its expectorant, diaphoretic, diuretic and menstrual stimulant effects. As a diuretic, it was even used in the first half of the 20th century. Even before the foundation of homeopathy, Samuel Hahnemann pointed out the risks associated with water fennel therapy: Water fennel destroyed tissue and had a flatulent effect. Patients coughed up blood. Not at all dangerous, however, is Vietnamese water fennel (Oenanthe stolonifera), a low-growing species of the plant. In principle, it inhabits the same biotopes in Vietnam as the great water fennel in Europe. However, it can also be planted at your own garden pond. Since the marsh plant quickly forms many root offshoots, these must be cut off every few years. In its native Vietnam, its leaves and young shoots are considered a delicacy and are steamed like vegetables or used raw in salads and soups. Thanks to its celery-like aroma with a slight hint of fennel, water fennel is very popular. Because of its many vitamins, especially its high vitamin C content, it is popular for spring cures. It can be frozen, so it is available all year round. Vietnamese people decorate their meals with the pretty white tasty flowers.
Importance for health, treatment and prevention.
Great water fennel has been used in the past to treat cough, whooping cough, chronic bronchitis and pulmonary tuberculosis and the fever and emaciation associated with it. It was also used for flatulence, jaundice, menstrual disorders (absence of menstruation) and, often together with cinchona bark, in external application for healing open and also suppurating wounds, gangrene and canker sores. Also purulent uterine ulcers could heal the water fennel allegedly.Vietnamese water fennel is still used successfully in its area of origin against diabetes, stress, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, liver diseases and headaches. The homeopathic medicine Phallandrium aquaticum is obtained from the fresh, ripe seeds. They are collected in late summer and processed into teep (fresh plant trituration) and tincture. The tincture can be used at 30 drops to 500 milliliters of water for poultices and in larger quantities for medicinal baths. Phallandrium aquaticum is used in respiratory diseases with mucous sputum, digestive problems (flatulence, bad breath), gastritis, infant diarrhea (dyspepsia), dizziness, obesity. Also used in menopausal symptoms, estrogen deficiency and as a complementary treatment to conventional therapy of pulmonary tuberculosis. Breastfeeding women are given the remedy from the 10th day after delivery if they have milk stasis. The homeopathic remedy relieves the pain they feel when breastfeeding and touching their breasts. The stabbing pain extends from the nipples through the thorax to the shoulder blades. If the pain is severe, five globules of potencies C6 to C12 are then administered every two hours. Otherwise, the patient must consume one tablet or 5 globules each two to three times a day. After the onset of improvement, she then takes the globules only three times a day. Phallandrium aquaticum has the best effect in very sensitive and slim women.
