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Fennel is an aromatic perennial growing to a height of about five feet. It has dark green, feathery leaves, umbels of yellow flowers, and small, ridged oval shaped seeds. Native to the Mediterranean region, fennel is now cultivated in temperate regions around the world. The seeds are gathered in autumn. Both fennel fruit and particularly fennel oil are widely employed as fragrance components in a variety of cosmetic preparations and as flavors in foods, beverages, condiments and the like.
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Fennel Historical Use
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The ancient physicians Hippo crates and Dioscorides employed fennel to increase milk secretion in nursing mothers. On the basis of the old observation that when they shed their skins serpents eat fennel to restore their sight, Pliny recommended it for visual problems, including blindness. Some ancient authors considered fennel a remedy for snakebite. In the early middle ages the plant was considered to be an antidote to witchcraft. Fennel oil with honey in warm water is an old time cough remedy that was used long before the arrival of the over-the-counter “ussins.”
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Fennel Remedy For
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- Colic
- Indigestion
- Heartburn
- An eroded sore in the inner lining of digestive track syndrome
- Anorexia
The primary use of fennel seeds is to relieve bloating, but the also settle stomach Discomfort, stimulate the appetite, and are increased urination and anti-inflammatory. Like anise and caraway, the seeds make an excellent infusion for settling the digestion and reducing abdominal distension. Used externally, the oil is a folk remedy for joint soreness due to rheumatism and arthritis.
Contraindications
- pregnancy due to the emmenagogue effect (empirical),2,4,14,74 especially for concentrated forms such as the essential oil,6 and the phytoestrogen activity of its volatile oil components anethole, dianethole, photanethole
- essential oil for infants or small children6 (speculative) due to its potential toxicity 2
- prolonged use unless a physician is consulted due (speculative) to the pro-carcinogenic estrgole content of the essential oil 150
- allergic hypersensitivity based on previous exposure resulting in skin or lung reactions in isolated cases (empirical)6
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Fennel Active Constituents
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Fennel seeds contain about 8% volatile oil (about 80% anethole, plus fenchone and methyl chavicol), flavonoids, coumarins (including bergapten), and sterols. The main active constituents, which include the terpenoid anethole, are found in the volatile oil. Anethole and other terpenoids may have mild estrogen-like activity and inhibit spasms in smooth muscles, such as those in the intestinal tract.
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Fennel Typical Dosage
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Whole seeds may be chewed or used in tea. The German Commission E Monograph recommends 5 – 7 grams of seeds daily. To make a tea, boil 2 – 3 grams of crushed seeds in 250 ml (1 cup) of water for ten to fifteen minutes, keeping the pot covered during the process. Cool, strain, and then drink three cups per day. As a tincture, 2 – 4 ml can be taken three times per day.
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Fennel Side Effects
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In rare cases fennel can cause allergic reactions of the skin and respiratory tract. Anyone with an estrogen-dependant Long standing problems should avoid fennel in large quantities until the importance of its estrogen-like activity is clarified. Fennel seeds are potentially toxic; do not exceed the recommended dose. Do not take the essential oil internally. As of July 1999 there were no known drug interactions with fennel.
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