Fennel - Health Benefits and Side Effects

The Fennel Plant (Foeniculum vulgare)
(Click on image to enlarge)
Attribution:Taken by Carsten Niehaus

Botanical Name of Fennel: Foeniculum vulgare
Other Common Names:
Large fennel, sweet fennel, wild fennel, finocchio, finochio forte, carosella, florence fennel, fennel, adas landi, adas londa, adas pedas, anis, anis vert, comino, fenkel, hinojo, hsiao hui hsiang, hui hsiang chiu, kaneer razbana, l’anis, la nuit, raziyane, rezene, shamar, yiao hui chiang, shih lo, tzu mo, tzu mu lo, uikyo.

Habitat:
Fennel is circumpolar (that is, can be found all over the globe). It is most often found in dry stony calcareous soils near the sea. It is generally considered native to the Mediterranean region; today it is cultivated throughout the British Isles, China; Dominican Republic; Ethiopia; Europe; Haiti; Iraq; Italy; Japan; Kurdistan; Malaya; Mexico; Spain; Turkey; and Venezuela.

Plant Description:
Fennel is a perennial herb that grows to a height of about 2.5 m. It has hollow stems, feathery leaves, and flowers that grow in terminal compound umbels about 5-15 cm wide. Each umbel has 20-50 tiny yellow flowers on short pedicels. The leaves are finely dissected, growing up to 40 cm long; the appearance of the leaves is similar to dill leaves, but thinner. The fruit, which is the part most often used in herbal medicine, is a dry seed measuring 4-10 mm long, twice as long as it is wide, with distinct grooves.

Plant Parts Used:
Primarily the seeds; leaves and root are also used.

Fennel Seed and Powder

Organic Fennel Seed
by Starwest Botanicals

Organic Fennel Seed Powder
by Starwest Botanicals

Therapeutic Uses, Benefits and Claims of Fennel

The health properties of fennel are warming, carminative, antispasmodic, antidepressant, stomachic, pectoral, diuretic, diaphoretic, aromatic, anti-microbial, pain reducing, fever reducing, and promotes milk-flow in nursing mothers.

The Herb Fennel
(Foeniculum vulgare)
Koehler's Medicinal-Plants - 1887

Fennel has a long history as a commonly used household remedy for a variety of complaints, especially digestive disorders and it has been used tradtitonally as a remedy for gas, acid stomach, gout, colic, cramps, and spasms.
Fennel has a diuretic effect, which increases the amount and frequency of urination, which is thought to help remove toxic substances from the body.
Fennel is thought to be an effective herbal remedy for respiratory congestion and is a common ingredient in cough remedies.
It relaxes the smooth muscle lining of the digestive system, and is used for cancer patients after radiation and chemotherapy treatments to help rebuild the digestive system
Fennel is used as a natural treatment for anemia. Fennel contains iron and histidine, an amino acid found in fennel. Histidine stimulates production of hemoglobin and other components of the blood.
It is common practice, especially in India, to chew fennel seeds after a meal. Some of the components in fennel stimulate secretion of digestive and gastric juices, reduce inflammation of the digestive tract and facilitate proper absorption of nutrients.
Fennel is used as an herbal treatment for diarrhea caused by bacterial action; it is believed that the properties of some components of fennel are disinfectant and anti-bacterial. Histadine is an example of one of several amino acids in fennel that aid digestion, helping to relieve diarrhea due to indigestion.
The tea is believed to increase milk production in nursing mothers, and may also relieve colic in babies. An infusion of the bruised seeds is a safe and effective natural treatment for flatulence in babies.
When used with a urinary disinfectant herbs like arctostaphylos uva-ursi, fennel is thought to be an effective herbal treatment for cystitis.
Fennel is rich in phytoestrogens, and is an emenagogue, easing and regulating menstruation by regulating hormonal action in the body. It is believed to be helpful as a natural treatment for amenhorrea, anxiety and depression.
The ground seed of fennel is made into a tea and taken as a treatment for the symptoms related to snake bites, insect bites or food poisoning. This application is a complementary remedy for symptoms, and must never replace appropriate medical care.
A gargle made from fennel infusion is used as an herbal remedy for relief of hoarseness and sore throats.
The essential oil may be used topically to ease muscular and rheumatic pain and an infusion (steeped tea) of the fennel seeds may be used to prepare a compress as a treatment for conjunctivitis and inflammation of the eyelids.
Besides being used in cooking, fennel is found in many commercial products such as toothpastes, soaps, perfumery, air fresheners, and antacid preparations.
The dried plant is used as an insect repellent; the crushed leaves are used as a flea repellent for dogs and the dried leaves are believed to help keep fleas away from kennels and stables.

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Dosage and Administration:

Infusion: pour 1 cup boiling water over 1-2 teaspoonfuls of slightly bruised fennel seeds and steep for 10 minutes. Drink up to three times a day. For flatulence, take a cup ½ hour before each meal.

Potential Side Effects of Fennel

Pregnant women should not take fennel as a medicinal internally as it is a uterine stimulant; however, small amounts used in cooking are safe. Skin contact with the sap or essential oil may cause photo-sensitivity or dermatitis in some people. Ingestion of the essential oil can cause vomiting, seizures and pulmonary edema. While fennel has a long history of use as a useful herbal remedy, it does contain compounds which are anti-bacterial. Keep in mind that too much of anything can be harmful. Taken in excess, fennel can induce trouble in breathing, increase palpitations and make heart beats irregular. Taken in excess, it may also cause neurotic problems.

It is essential to consult your health care professional when altering medications and you should thoroughly investigate how your medications may interact with each other. Inform your health care professional of any medications, vitamins or herbs that you are taking. Keep in mind that herbs may still produce side effects or may carry some element of risk (although side-effects and risks are generally less common and serious than in synthetic drugs). Any applicable precautions and contraindications should be clearly understood. Carefully research and select a reputable source for your herbs, and always read the label for ingredients, instructions and warnings.

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