Fennel
Jan 2, 2025
Fennel: What is it?
Other names: Foeniculum vulgare.
Mechanism of action:
Fennel is a good source of vitamin C, potassium, plant flavanoids, and beta-carotene.
Vitamin C and flavanoids (discussed further in their own section) have antioxidant activity which in turn are anti-inflammatory.
Other compounds found in fennel seeds—including anethole and estragole—are thought to make it a possible galactogogue.
For this reason, fennel seeds/fennel seed oils are included in some lactation supplements, but there have not been large randomized trials to prove its efficacy.
One randomized trial testing the effects of curcumin and fennel essential oil on IBS symptoms also had positive results.
This study is discussed further in the evidence section.
Common indications/uses:
Fennel and fennel seeds are commonly used in a normal diet.
As noted above, the oils of fennel seeds have compounds which are thought to be beneficial to lactation.
Dosing:
50 mg fennel essential oil was used in Portincasa et al., but fennel is otherwise used unmeasured in its vegetable form which is not concentrated.
Evidence:
Portincasa et al. studied the combination of curcumin and fennel in patients with IBS.
Curcumin has anti-inflammatory properties, and fennel has anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammatory effects which the authors wanted to assess together for improvement of IBS symptoms.
Over 30 days, patients in the experimental group reported improvement in their IBS symptoms and better quality of life.
Safety concerns:
Adverse reactions: Allergic reactions, photosensitivity.
Drug interactions:
Ciprofloxacin absorption, distribution, and elimination were affected by fennel ingestion in a small randomized study.
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